As you know, each year Rural Health West (RHW) and the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) partner to deliver the WA Rural Health Conference and Awards.

These events are particularly important because they recognise the critical role health professionals play in supporting the ongoing health of rural communities across Western Australia.

Simultaneously, you’re aware that WACHS, and WA Health more broadly, has been continuing to strengthen their response to the Novel Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

With that in mind, RHW and WACHS have decided that the WA Rural Health Conference scheduled for next week will not proceed. The 2020 award events associated with the conference will be postponed.

This decision was made following consultation with a cross-section of delegates – many of whom indicated they were already reconsidering their attendance.

While this is a disappointing outcome for all of us, part of the broader health sector’s planning for the COVID-19 outbreak has involved making sure the right people, protocols and processes are in place to continue delivering high-quality health services across rural and regional WA.

We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all WA Rural Health Award finalists and acknowledge the ongoing efforts of all healthcare workers at this challenging time.