COLLIE seniors will not have wood chopped as part of Community Home Care (CHC) services this winter.

The aged and community care services provider confirmed this week that the service has been discontinued.

Chief executive officer Krystal Laurentsch said the decision had been made following staff reporting wood chopping as a hazard.

She said a subsequent risk assessment indicated the potential for injuries.

Ms Laurentsch said a review of changes to funding program guidelines released in January of this year also found woodchopping has been removed as a funded service. Collie residents were made aware of the change before the end of last winter. Residents had also been provided with details of providers capable of providing cut wood.

Ms Laurentsch added that CHC staff would still be able to assist with carrying wood into clients’ homes.

Minni ecotourism

Continued from front page.

Mr Devenish said the shire got $500,000 in mid-2018 to do planning and environmental assessments for a nature based tourism facility, including low key overnight accommodation.

As part of the funding arrangement, Brighthouse consultants were commissioned to do a pool demand and pre-feasibility study, which was completed in 2019.

Part of the study was a high level engagement with local Aboriginal people, which was done by consultants Myles Mitchell and Rosie Halsmith.

The report found that a campground with tourist accommodation is a priority proposal for Minningup and recommended the shire proceed to a detailed design and business case for the development of the proposed campground and eco-accommodation.

The report also proposes tourism development of Minningup Pool day visitation area as a priority.

AWARD WINNER: Dr Jared Watts during a helicopter flight in the Kimberley.

FORMER Collie Senior High School student Dr Jared Watts has been named specialist of the year in the Rural Health West Excellence Awards.

Dr Watts, who is stationed in the Kimberley, is the Director of Obstetrics and Gyneacology in the Country Health Service.

He graduated from CSHS in 1999, and after graduating with honours in his MB.BS, went on to obtain three Masters degrees.

Dr Watts is spearheading world-first research projects in the Kimberley, one being a joint project with Notre Dame University trialling point-of-care cervical screenings.

“We can go into an Aboriginal community with a machine and women can do a swab on themselves and we get an answer within 45 minutes,”said Dr Watts.

“Based on the results, they can then have any further investigations and treatments needed at the same time to prevent cervical cancer.”

Country Health Service chief executive Jeff Moffet congratulated the finalists and winners in the various categories, highlighting the calibre of health professionals working in regional WA.

“These awards are a fantastic opportunity to show our immense gratitude for the remarkable healthcare workers who give so much of themselves to care for country patients,” he said.

“Every day they make outstanding contributions to improving health outcomes for the communities in which they live and work.”