South Metropolitan Health Service

31/07/2026

Closing out a month of NAIDOC celebrations, Murray District Hospital (MDH) hosted an afternoon of reflection, bringing together staff from MDH and Peel Health Campus (PHC), along with patients who joined in the event. ☀️

It began with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Theo Kearing, followed by a traditional dance performance by the Binjared Middars and Theo on tap sticks. Guests also enjoyed homemade kangaroo stew and damper!

Thank you to the PHC Aboriginal health liaison and engagement teams for bringing everyone together.

31/07/2026

Meet one of our dedicated Aboriginal Health Practitioners, Liana 👋

Providing health care through connection and trust, Liana is privileged to support her mob both clinically and culturally.

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Liana Prosser 🌟
Aboriginal Health Practitioner, South Metropolitan Health Service

For Liana Prosser, health care means connection, trust, and making people feel safe when they are away from home.

As an Aboriginal woman, Liana feels privileged to support her mob who are often far from home and facing significant health challenges.

‘I love being an Aboriginal Health Practitioners because I can provide both clinical care and cultural support to our mob,’ said Liana.

‘Being able to walk alongside our patients throughout their hospital journey, from admission through to procedures, surgeries, and inpatient recovery, is incredibly rewarding.’

The moments that stay with Liana are often the quiet ones – seeing patients arrive feeling frightened and uncertain, then gradually growing in confidence as they build trust.

‘One patient from a remote community arrived in Perth for surgery feeling isolated and hesitant to engage with healthcare staff after a previous negative experience,’ said Liana.

‘By taking the time to have a yarn, I was able to advocate for the patient and make sure their voice was heard throughout their treatment. Over time, this helped them became more comfortable and engaged in their care.’

The impact of Aboriginal Health Practitioners extends well beyond the patients they support. Their knowledge and guidance also help colleagues deliver culturally safe care.

30/07/2026

A WA-made surgical device is being trialled at Fiona Stanley Hospital helping surgeons detect residual breast cancer tissue during surgery.

The device uses real-time imaging and artificial intelligence to reduce the need for additional surgery and improve outcomes for patients.

Diagnosed with breast cancer last year, 73-year-old Keryl participated in the trial with the hope for a more accurate detection of the cancer.

Read more about the trial and Keryl’s experience online 👉 https://fsfhg.health.wa.gov.au/News/2026/07/22/WA-made-device-to-improve-outcomes-for-women-with-breast-cancer

29/07/2026

This month Perth Symphony Orchestra is celebrating the life and legacy of Professor Fiona Stanley through WA Stories: Fiona Stanley – a moving performance bringing her remarkable story to life through music, storytelling and visuals.

A passionate advocate for children and a pioneer in public health, Fiona’s work has transformed healthcare in Western Australia and beyond. In recognition of her extraordinary work, Fiona Stanley Hospital was named in her honour.

SMHS Chief Executive Neil Doverty and FSFHG Executive Director Luke Dix had the privilege to attend the opening night to celebrate this inspiring tribute.

With one performance left on Thursday 30 July, secure your ticket today 👉 https://megatix.com.au/events/fiona-stanley-joy-shepherd

28/07/2026

The Fiona Stanley Hospital Intensive Care Unit (FSH ICU) has officially expanded to 40 fully staffed critical care beds 🙌

Now comprising of 30 ICU beds and 10 High Dependency Unit beds, critically ill patients can now access specialist care sooner, when they need it most.

From a handful of beds in 2014 to a 40-bed critical care service in 2026, the expansion strengthens the hospital's ability to provide tertiary-level critical care services to more patients and families when they need us most.

Find out more about the expansion 👉 https://fsfhg.health.wa.gov.au/News/2026/07/22/FSH-ICU-reaches-new-milestone-with-40-bed-expansion

27/07/2026

You might remember our Rottnest Island Nursing Post Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cassie Gaff, and her Blades of Oary crew, who are set to take on the World’s Toughest Row in December 🚣‍♀️

Check out their final Aussie training row off North Fremantle over the weekend where they were joined by 9 News Perth as the crew prepares to ship their custom rowboat to the Canary Islands and the start line of their Atlantic Ocean crossing.

Read more about their epic ocean journey as they attempt to become the first all-female Australian crew to complete the crossing in a rowboat – all while raising $250,00 for their chosen Perth charities 👇
https://www.fsfhg.health.wa.gov.au/News/2026/06/17/Rottnest-nurse-embarks-on-record-row-for-charity

26/07/2026

This month we celebrate the retirement of Dr Norman Marinovich OAM, marking the end of an extraordinary medical career spanning more than five decades in Western Australia's public health system.

Dr Marinovich has been a respected physician, mentor and teacher, whose influence has extended far beyond the bedside.

Mainly working at Fremantle, Rockingham General and Fiona Stanley hospitals, he earned a reputation for championing practical, patient-centred medicine and fostering excellence in clinical care.

Dr Marinovich’s passion for teaching has shaped the careers of countless medical students, junior doctors and physicians, both locally and internationally.

A proud Freo local, Dr Marinovich’s connection to the community extends well beyond medicine where he has been a prominent figure within the Fremantle Croatian community, contributing to preserving and sharing the stories of migrant families who helped shape the region.

A passionate supporter of the South Fremantle Football Club and Fremantle Dockers, Dr Marinovich and has long encouraged colleagues and trainees to maintain a healthy balance between work and life outside the hospital.

As he steps into retirement, we thank Dr Marinovich for his outstanding contribution to WA Health, South Metro Health Service and the wider Fremantle community.

His dedication to patients, commitment to education and generosity of spirit has left an enduring legacy that will continue to benefit future generations of clinicians.

Congratulations Dr Marinovich on a remarkable career 👏

24/07/2026

NAIDOC celebrations continued this week at Rockingham General Hospital! 🎉

A bush tucker van was serving up kangaroo stew, while Aboriginal arts and crafts were on display. A special lunch for Elders added to a meaningful day of reflection and celebration.

Thank you to everyone who made it happen, and to Stephen Jacobs for his thoughtful Welcome to Country 💜

23/07/2026

This Plastic Free July we’re celebrating the efforts staff have played in reducing plastic use across our health service!

✅ The Fremantle Hospital Endoscopy Unit has ditched single-use gowns for reusable gowns
✅ The Fiona Stanley Hospital Central Sterile Supply Department and the Sleep Centre has replaced plastic bags used to return reprocessed sleep assessment equipment with a paper alternative
✅ Rockingham General Hospital has introduced plastic free compostable wipes to over 90 per cent of the hospital

We’re always on the look out for new, innovative ways we can reduce plastic and impact on the environment.

22/07/2026

On Monday 27 July 2026, a single test alert will be sent to all Australian mobile devices. This will occur at 12 noon in Western Australia.

Devices will vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds.

If you are visiting one of our hospitals or health services, please be aware that it may also play on some of our clinical devices.

⚠️ Important: you can still receive AusAlerts if your phone is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’.

If the alert will disrupt or distress yourself or others, turn off your mobile devices or put them in aeroplane mode before the test time. Leave them that way for at least one hour.

📅 Mark your calendar! The national test of AusAlert is happening on Monday 27 July at around 2pm AEST.

AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses cell-broadcast technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

Before AusAlert is ready to use in October 2026, it will be tested across Australia.

On Monday 27 July 2026, a test alert will be sent to all compatible mobile devices in Australia.

This includes most mobile phones, and some smart watches and tablets. Apple iPads don’t receive AusAlerts.

Check this map to see the national test time in your location.

If your device receives the national test, it will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound for 10 seconds before stopping. As the national test is a Critical Alert, this happens even if your device is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’.

Set a calendar reminder for the test and help spread the word to family, friends and colleagues. Staying informed is an important part of being prepared. ✅