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The dedicated room where West Wimmera Health Service sterilises its theatre equipment in Nhill has undergone major renovations, making way for the installation of new modern technology and machines. The room, known as the Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), now boasts two brand new sterilisers, a Pass-Thru Automated Endoscope Reprocessor, an EndoDry cabinet and pass through drying cabinet. “These machines are vital to ensure medical equipment is not only clean, but also disinfected and in the case of surgical instruments, sterilised, to destroy microorganisms and prevent infection when clinicians such as surgeons, dentists and podiatrists use them in providing care for patients,” Ritchie Dodds, WWHS CEO said. “These renovations were an important project, resulting in West Wimmera Health Service continuing to meet the high standards required for sterilization into the future. “It means our community will continue to have access to high quality care.”

Madhu Sharma was crowned the winner of West Wimmera Health Service’s Cooking Competition over the weekend after dishing up a delicious chickpea coconut curry. Other contestants, including Lucy Holland and Denise Barbelescu also cooked tasty treats, including lentil sausage rolls with a chickpea salad, and a sweet potato gnocchi with roasted chickpeas and chorizo. “It was great to see local produce and ingredients put on display, with all contestants using plant-based protein (that can be grown in the region) as the hero of their dishes,” competition organiser and Health Promotion Officer, Jake Wiffen said. “We had a fantastic turnout, with everyone enjoying the delicious meals created, hitting up the ‘taster table’ of the region’s finest jams, oils and chutneys, and sharing in games and activities.” Celebrity chef and competition judge, Tim Bone, also served up two dishes that delighted tastebuds - a duck and potato pizza and duck sliders.

Four contestants from across the Wimmera will compete in West Wimmera Health Service’s Cooking Competition final on Saturday 31 August, with celebrity chef judge Tim Bone set to crown the winner. The event is one for the whole family – cheer on local budding chefs as they cook their own plant-based dishes using key locally sourced ingredients, hit up the ‘taster table’ to sample some of the regions finest jams, oils and chutneys, and share in games and activities that the whole family can enjoy. The event will be held at the Nhill Uniting Church, commencing at 10:30am, with entry being a gold coin donation to the local Foodbank. Attendees will also be treated to a cooking masterclass by celebrity chef, Tim Bone. Register for the masterclass via email: health.promotion@wwhs.net.au or call Jake on 0487 573 224, as places are limited. “We’re hoping this years’ event will be bigger and better than the last, with everyone from near and far welcome to attend – there will be plenty of food and free activities for everyone to enjoy,” competition organiser and Health Promotion Officer, Jake Wiffen said. Taste will not be the only winning factor, with dishes also being judged on how well local ingredients are featured and whether it’s a dish the whole family can enjoy, even for the pickiest of little eaters! Organised by West Wimmera Health Service’s Health Promotion team, the competition aims to inject some excitement and fun to nutrition and put our local produce and ingredients in the spotlight.

West Wimmera Health Service has been awarded three years accreditation by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, with no recommendations for improvement — a rare feat for any health service across Australia. The successful accreditation comes after a recent independent assessment of the Service’s hospitals and community health services against the eight National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, which measure how successfully a health service provides quality care. As part of the accreditation assessment, independent assessors spoke with staff, managers, patients, community representatives, and board directors. “This is an outstanding result and is due recognition of the skill, compassion and dedication our staff bring to work each and every day,” Ritchie Dodds, WWHS CEO said. “The assessors praised our efforts across all aspects of our operations, acknowledged how well everyone goes about their roles to come together as a cohesive unit, and were specifically impressed with the obvious compassion and care on display. “This result reiterates the value our communities place on the services we provide, and how we provide those services. “A huge congratulations to the many people involved in this outcome, which clearly underscores our purpose: Great Care, Every Person, Every Time, and reflects our values of total care, safety, unity, accountability and innovation.”