About Practice Assist

Rural Health West and WAPHA both have a focus on enhancing the quality and capacity of primary healthcare providers by supporting general practices, principals, managers and administrators to develop viable and sustainable businesses.

In late 2016, Rural Health West and WAPHA identified that combining resources and collaborating may be the most effective way to deliver a comprehensive, state-wide general practice support service.

A feasibility study established that Rural Health West and WAPHA share the desired outcomes of:

•  addressing the barriers that prevent access to quality and coordinated primary healthcare
•  improving retention rates for the health workforce throughout rural and remote Western Australia
•  building sustainable partnerships across the health and social care systems
•  embracing and supporting innovative models of healthcare delivery
•  adopting contemporary and flexible business strategies that support their vision

In 2017, Rural Health West and WAPHA combined resources to develop Practice Assist, which successfully launched in October 2017.  Practice Assist encompasses all aspects of general practice support and the free service can assist general practice teams with:

• phone support via our help desk – 08 6278 7900
• email support via practiceassist@wapha.org.au
• video call support from friendly, experienced staff
• support and information regarding digital health services
• a dedicated website with updates, information, resources and more
• an online Tool Kit of fact sheets, templates, checklists and guides
• a fortnightly eNewsletter, Practice Connect with industry news and updates
• education sessions, including webinars and workshops