Kerry Cabassi has been a long standing & valued member of the GP down south team for over 17 years.  During this time she has left once and then returned to us to manage Nidjalla Waangan Mia initially, and more recently also taken on the role of Practice Manager at PYMS.
 
Kerry has been involved with PYMS from very early on – in the days it was located in the Billy Dower Centre.  She is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and wellbeing and says the impact that PYMS makes on young people’s lives is the reason she does what she does. Being the creative and big hearted person she is, Kerry wondered what she could do to help raise much needed funds for our youth medical service.  The idea came to her when she saw her stack of fabric – collected over many, many years.  The idea to design and make sustainable and reusable tote bags which would showcase the lovely fabrics was inspired.  She designed and made fabulous cloth tote bags which many of us still have or gifted to lucky recipients.
 
Kerry has always been a fervent supporter of Aboriginal Health and has been at the forefront of many innovative health promotion activities at Nidjalla.  He has developed a formidable team there who work tirelessly to serve the community.  Her knowledge and leadership ensured repeated AGPAL reaccreditations for NWM.
 
She has been an excellent ambassador for the organisation representing GP down south at award ceremonies and conferences and her ‘no holding back’ philosophy in meetings left no one in doubt of her stance on any given item.
 
Her warmth and generous spirit will be missed.  We wish Kerry all the best in future endeavours.  And we extend our thanks for her loyal service to the organisation.

The annual Pinjarra  vs Waroona Mental Health Clash footy game was held last weekend.  Sir Ross McLarty oval was packed with people who came to support both clubs.  Over the years, it has been amazing to see how people come out to support this match in particular.  Mental ill-health has become all too prevalent in our communities and there are not many who don’t have close personal experience with mental health issues.
 
This annual match is held to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and raise much needed awareness about its prevalence in our community.  Sadly, both communities understand only too well, the impact of mental illness and suicide.  The football match has become an annual highlight for them and for GP down south.
 
The Peel Youth Medical Service (PYMS) is the grateful recipient of the fundraising done on the day.  This year ten brave volunteers offered to be the ‘dunkees’ and potential dunkers put in bids for the chance to sink them in the water – on a not too warm day.  The game was well supported by GP down south, PYMS and AOT staff – who all enjoyed a great game.
 
“If we are able to help just one person to reach out and get the support they need then, the Mental Health Clash 2020 will be worth it. Please remember, it’s okay to not be okay & that it’s not weak to reach out and ask for help! “  Pinjarra Football & Netball Club spokesperson.
 
Congratulations to Pinjarra who took out the cup for the third consecutive year.  We can’t wait to see what you do next year!  Your support means so much.

​As we move into the new financial year, we say a sad farewell to our devoted Company Secretary and Director, Patricia Scaffidi.
 
Patricia, more fondly known as Trish, has been a dedicated advisor to the Board of Directors and incredible servant to the company since 2016. Throughout her years of service, she has assisted the organisation grow into new geographic regions and supported the development of new projects including, but not limited to the Peel Health Hub, Innovative Model of Care Warren Blackwood and 3 Tier Youth Mental Health Program.
 
Trish’s critical thinking, communication skills and remarkable energy that she brings to her work will be sadly missed. Trish has brought an enormous level of acumen to GP down south, particularly in the areas of finance, governance and strategy. Board Chair David Barton said, “Over the last 8 years she has been pivotal in assisting the organisation to adapt in the changing governance and operating environment that the company has faced over her tenure, and we wish her all the very best for her forthcoming holiday then next phase of life”.
 
During this time of change Director Anne Donaldson has taken on the role of Company Secretary and whilst for now we say farewell as Trish, we know she will be keeping a keen eye on GP down south and our exciting new endeavours ahead. 

GP down south has appointed experienced CEO, Krystal Laurentsch to take over the reigns in leading the organisation into a new strategic phase.  Krystal brings with her extensive expertise in aged care and primary health care leadership, as well as a commitment to communities of the South-West.

She has most recently been the CEO of Community Home Care Inc, who trade as Belong at Home following a recent rebrand. Her previous CEO roles include that of Global Care Group Inc across Perth and the Avon Valley and Capecare in Busselton.  

Krystal is a Registered Nurse with a range of postgraduate qualifications in Health Service Management, Clinical Governance, and most recently, a Masters of Public Health.

Krystal’s key strengths are across clinical leadership, HR, operations and a passion for Aboriginal health care having had experience with local ACCHO SWAMS and Derbarl Yerrigan in Perth.

Krystal is a South West local who has been a long time champion of aged care, primary health care, mental health and Aboriginal health.  She is passionate about addressing the social determinants of health, client choice, excellence in client outcomes and workforce transformation.

“I am incredibly proud to join GP down south, a company with a remarkable 30-year history of delivering excellence to its customers and making a positive impact in the healthcare sector. Together, we will build on this strong foundation, capitalise on new opportunities, and chart a path of sustained success for South West and Peel health and wellness services.” Krystal Laurentsch, CEO.

“The board of GP down south are excited to welcome Krystal. She brings substantial experience in leading organisations to adapt in a changing healthcare environment. Krystal will be empowered to consolidate our range of existing services as well as explore opportunities for GP down south to serve the communities of Peel and the South West in new ways. " David Barton, Chair.

The team at Nidjalla Waangan Mia are, once again, punching well above their weight and providing innovative solutions for improving health and wellbeing for the community.  The following article is taken from the WAPHA Practice Connect newsletter, published on 22 February. 

​In Western Australia, the immunisation rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the one, two and five-year old cohorts are below the national benchmark of 95%. As of September 2023, the coverage rates* were as follows:

• One-year olds fully immunised: 84.85%.
• Two-year olds fully immunised: 81.06%.
• Five-year olds fully immunised: 93.67%.

To help improve the coverage rates, Nidjalla Waangan Mia Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Centre, located in the Community Health Building in Mandurah, is using the nurse-led model to provide a range of culturally appropriate services including immunisation.
 
Practice Manager, Kerry Cabassi, explained that when patients and their families attend the clinic, the practice nurse opportunistically checks their Australian immunisation records to prompt any due or overdue vaccinations.
 
“The nurse-led model allows time for discussion with the patients and their families to alleviate any fears and answer any questions or concerns they may have. We play music at the clinic, use a buzzy bee (a small vibrating device to help block pain and provide distraction during immunisation) and give a lollipop following the vaccination,” Ms Cabassi said.
 
Practice Nurse, Bernie Garnier, said the team at Nidjalla Waangan Mia works closely with the community health clinic located next door to vaccinate Aboriginal patients and their children while they are on the premises, rather than booking them in for another appointment at a later date.
 
“This team-based model of care has proved to be a successful way to ensure that our patients have a culturally safe environment with opportunistic access to care,” Ms Garnier said.

*Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, current coverage data tables for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children