Western NSW Local Health District

02/09/2026

There are some moments in life when simply being close to someone you love means everything.

A new cuddle bed at the Palliative Care Unit at Dubbo Health Service is helping make those moments possible for patients and their families.

Generously donated by the Belinda McGowan Foundation, the specialised bed allows loved ones to safely lie beside or gently hold a patient, creating opportunities for physical closeness, comfort and connection during the final stages of life.

The bed is valued at around $20,000 and is designed with both comfort and flexibility in mind. It has two independent mattresses, can be extended for taller patients and can even be separated into two beds when needed.

For the team at Walanmarra, the cuddle bed is about much more than equipment. It’s about helping families remain physically close and creating a more compassionate, comforting and dignified environment during an incredibly difficult time.

And there’s another special touch. The Kintyre Quilters have generously donated their time and materials to create a beautiful handmade quilt for the bed, helping make the space feel a little warmer and more like home.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

📷 Thanks to Dubbo Photo News for the photos

01/09/2026

September is Sepsis Awareness month. Sepsis is a medical emergency caused by the body's response to infections. Most cases of sepsis start in the community so it's important the know the signs and symptoms. If you are worried that you or someone you know has sepsis call triple zero (000) or go to your local hospital and ask 'could it be sepsis?

31/08/2026

The BreastScreen NSW van is coming to MUDGEE in early October and we’re taking bookings! Prioritise your health and book in for your free 20 minute mammogram. You can have breast cancer without any symptoms. Visit http://breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or call 13 20 50 to book your FREE breast screen.

BreastScreen NSW

31/08/2026

29/08/2026

It’s Multicultural Health Week and a reminder that BreastScreen NSW is a free health service for women all women. We make it easy and comfortable for women to have regular breast screens.

We can arrange interpreters to help with bookings. Simply call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask for BreastScreen NSW. Access resources in 27 languages here: Resources (BreastScreen NSW).

If you would like to come with other women and support each other at your breast screen, we can organise a group booking. Call us on 13 20 50.

We are also available to visit community groups and cultural festivals to talk about the importance of breast screening and how to access our services.

A breast screen is free, takes around 20 minutes, is performed by female radiographers, and does not need a doctor's referral. Don’t delay having a breast screen. Your health is important too. For bookings call 13 20 50 or breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

27/08/2026

The ABC, through its TV series The Piano, has gifted 10 pianos to communities across Australia, and we’re thrilled that Orange Hospital was chosen as one of the recipients.

Thanks to a fabulous submission from Orange Hospital Health Councillor and Wayfinder Don Saville, a beautiful piano has now found a home in our Prayer Room, where it is available for patients, families, visitors and staff to enjoy.

We recently celebrated the piano with a special community launch concert, bringing together some incredibly talented musicians from across our community and Orange Hospital.

From beautiful classical performances and a talented Year 12 student, to a duet from Dr Dave Homewood and Dr Dan O’Reilly and a performance from our very own Dr David Bell, the concert was a wonderful reminder of the power of music to create moments of connection, comfort and joy.

The concert finished with a very special performance from Dr Yantra De Vilder, ABC Consultant Producer for Social Impact, who performed Keys to Healing, a piece she composed especially for Orange Hospital.

We’re so grateful to The Piano and everyone who helped bring this beautiful gift to Orange Hospital.

We can’t wait to hear the music, memories and moments of connection this piano creates for our patients, families, staff and community.

25/08/2026

Happy International Dog Day! Today is the paw-fect time to celebrate the four-legged friends helping our teams at Orange Health Service. 🐾

Our wellness dog program started in the Emergency Department, where our furry friends give staff a chance to pause, reset and recharge in what can be a stressful environment. Whether it’s going for a walk, having lunch together or simply sitting quietly, spending time with a dog can help reduce stress and support wellbeing after difficult experiences.

The program has now grown to include staff across the whole hospital, as well as patients who teams identify may benefit from some quality time with a dog during their hospital stay.

And the response? PAWsitive all round!

Patients and families have loved the visits, with some even asking for time with the dogs when they see them on the wards. The dogs have become a much-loved highlight of the day for many people.

We’ve also welcomed a new member to the team! Since the program began, Ben has retired due to age and Willow, a Labrador, has joined Freyja. She may still have her L plates, but she’s learning fast and is already a hit with everyone she meets.

We think it’s safe to say she’s fur-tunately found her calling!

Find out more about how the staff support dog project started and other ways health services are enhancing staff and patient experiences on the Innovation Exchange: https://bit.ly/4cx05XO

25/08/2026

The Mobile CT truck will be visiting our hospital sites to provide CT imaging for both inpatients and outpatients.

📍 Bourke: 1–3 September
📍 Walgett: 8–10 September
📍 Cobar: 15–17 September
📍 Bourke: 22–24 September
📍 Walgett: 29 September–1 October

Appointments are essential. To book, call 1800 492 223.

Valid CT request forms from GPs and specialists are accepted.

24/08/2026

Do you know an Aboriginal person or team at Western NSW Local Health District who has made a difference to the health of you or your community?

Nominate them for the WNSWLHD Aboriginal Workforce Awards, to nominate or find out more go to:
https://engage.wnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-workforce-excellence-awards

22/08/2026

Sunday Staff Spotlight; with Anne-Marie Floyd, District Health Information Manager. The perfect way to finish off Health Information Managers Week!

Here's a quick dive into her world in 60 seconds:
Q: What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you?
A: Loyal, Calm, Resilient.

Q: Favourite book or podcast?
A: Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen. I studied this for English when I was at school (a hundred years ago) and it has been a favourite ever since.

Q: If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
A: My husband would suggest ‘map reading’.

Q: If you were cooking dinner, what will everyone be eating?
A: Not sure what would be on the menu (cooking is not really my thing) but there would be plenty of Prosecco.

Q: What attracted you to WNSWLHD?
A: I am passionate about advocating for the perspective of rural health districts, ensuring that metropolitan colleagues understand the unique challenges, constraints and opportunities faced by rural services. I can enjoy the benefits and lifestyle that come with living and working in a rural area, while still being connected to metropolitan colleagues through technology and statewide networks.

Q: When the time comes to retire, what will you be doing?
A: Travelling to new destinations.

Q: When the time comes to retire, what will you be doing?
A: Travelling to new destinations.

Q: If you could invite anyone in the world to have dinner or a conversation with - who would it be?
A: Assuming they don’t have to be alive – it would be Benjamin Franklin, as I only recently learned how many practical everyday items he invented and did not patent any as he thought they should be shared with the public freely.