Women’s Health Week 2-6 September

Your Voice – Your Choice

 "From the 2-6th September 2024, Women around Australia are encouraged to raise their voices about the many physical and mental challenges we face and often may be too ashamed to raise." 


Women’s Health Week was created by the Jean Hailes For Women’s Health, not -for -profit organisation in 2013, in an attempt to provide important resources and information to communities Australia- wide, uniting and reminding women to dedicate time for their health and well-being. 


The 2024 theme – Your Voice, Your Choice – is about empowering women to use their voice to advocate for their health and to have various ‘Courageous Conversations’ with others to overcome shame and stigma. As women we often unconsciously neglect ourselves as we lead busy lives working, looking after our families and providing to our communities. We fully advocate for all women to take this time (and more) to look within and focus on topics that may be affecting your well-being, such as hormonal changes, nutrition and trusting your gut, and finding your balance on various parenting challenges. 

With the bombardment of different advice, viewpoints and conflicts on what truly matters to a woman, it can become difficult to navigate your own wellness journey – leading to anxiety, confusion and ultimately silence about topics that are essential to you! 


We would like to encourage you to take some time out to reflect on what is happening in your life and with your health and commit to ensuring that the person you take care of first is Yourself! 


Self-Care is a conscious choice to make time for activities that promote and

maintain your mental and physical well-being! 

 


Some of the topics that will be covered this week include: 

  • Know Your Body – The importance of health checks and education about various health problems that are rarely spoken about. 
  • Courageous Conversations – These are tips and tools to help you start a conversation with your health provider about menopause, hormones, PCOS and more. 
  • Shame and Stigma – This is a time for women to share their stories about topics that may be seen as taboo, but that can save and improve lives such as Bladder problems, STI’s and painful sex. 
  • Point of Difference – We are all unique and there is no one size fits all. This is an opportunity for women to look at how various health problems have affected them differently, from heart health to pelvic pain. Too often women are dismissed because their symptoms present differently from textbook values, leading to late diagnoses and poor quality of life. 
  • Trust Your Gut – Women’s nutrition can be a contentious topic with so many viewpoints that are thrown from all over. This covers nutrition basics that we all need and helps to promote a healthy relationship with food. Let’s ditch the fads and get back to basics! 


 


Are you ready to start the timer on putting yourself first? 

Let’s go! 

 

Download this fantastic guide to Women’s Health from the Jean Hailes Foundation, that provides information on various health checks, age-appropriate advice on what to look out for, and taking care of your mental wellbeing: 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/uploads/Your-guide-to-womens-health_TGD.pdf 


 


Connect and have a conversation! 

Here are some events happening in the NSW area, where you can join with fellow women, have open conversations and feel free to be you, whilst enjoying the outdoors too! 

 

5 September: Pop into the Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre and have a chat and a cuppa with fellow women, whilst learning valuable information about support and services they provide. 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/whw-events/womens-wellbeing-morning 


 6th September: Get your hearing checked! No matter your age – at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre. The Women’s Hearing Health Bus will be there to provide information, assist with hearing checks and each woman will get a free showbag. 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/whw-events/hearing-australias-womens-hearing-health-bus-is-coming-to-the-illawarra 

 

8th September: Join the Women’s Trail Walk to Steamers Beach in Booderee National Park 

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/whw-events/womens-trail-walk 

 

Get your ‘Girl Gang’ together, no matter what age, and advocate for better Women’s Health and Wellness Awareness this September! 

Why Sustainability in Healthcare Matters More Than Ever

By Health Staff Australia • June 1, 2026
World Environment Day | 5 June When we think about healthcare, our minds naturally go to patient care, medical innovation, and improving lives. Sustainability is not always the first thing that comes to mind. Yet increasingly, the two are becoming impossible to separate. As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June , it’s a moment to reflect on how deeply connected environmental health and human health really are. From hospitals and aged care facilities to clinics and community health services, the way we design, power, and run healthcare systems has a real impact on the world around us. The Link We Can’t Ignore Healthcare professionals are often the first to see how environmental issues translate into real patient outcomes. Poor air quality, heatwaves, pollution, and climate-related illnesses are no longer distant concerns — they are becoming part of everyday clinical reality. At the same time, healthcare itself is a resource-heavy sector. It exists to save lives, but in doing so it relies on energy, water, single-use materials, and complex supply chains that all contribute to its environmental footprint. This creates an important challenge: how do we continue delivering high-quality care while reducing harm to the environment that ultimately supports human health? More Than an Environmental Issue Sustainability in healthcare is not just about emissions or waste reduction. It also touches the human side of healthcare delivery. The environments healthcare workers operate in matter. Lighting, air quality, space design, and even access to nature or green elements can influence stress levels, fatigue, and overall wellbeing. In a sector already facing workforce shortages and burnout pressures, this becomes even more important. Sustainable design and smarter systems don’t replace clinical care — they support the people delivering it. A Shift Already Happening in Australia Across Australia, healthcare providers are beginning to rethink how facilities operate. There is growing investment in energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy sources, improved waste management systems, and more responsible procurement practices. While change is gradual, the direction is clear: sustainability is becoming part of long-term healthcare planning rather than an optional extra.

The Human Touch in a Digital World: Why Support Workers Matter More Than Ever

April 30, 2026
The Human Touch in a Digital World: Why Support Workers Matter More Than Ever As healthcare continues to evolve, technology is playing a bigger role than ever before. From digital care records and remote monitoring systems to telehealth appointments and automated scheduling, the way care is delivered is becoming faster, smarter, and more connected. But even in this increasingly digital world, one thing remains irreplaceable — the human touch. At the heart of quality care are support workers. And no matter how advanced systems become, their role is more important now than ever before. Technology is transforming care — but it can’t replace connection Modern healthcare tools have improved efficiency and accessibility across the sector. Information can be shared instantly, care plans are more structured, and communication between providers has never been easier. However, care is not just about data, schedules, or systems. It is about people. A device can track vital signs, but it cannot offer reassurance during a difficult moment. A digital system can record needs, but it cannot interpret emotion, tone, or unspoken concerns. This is where support workers step in — bridging the gap between clinical care and human experience. 

The Growing Demand for Care Workers in Australia

March 30, 2026
Why the country’s fastest-growing sector is facing a critical workforce shortage Australia is facing an unprecedented challenge in care — a data-driven crisis that is rapidly reshaping the healthcare landscape. As demand for aged care and disability support accelerates, the supply of qualified care workers is struggling to keep pace. The result? A “perfect storm” where providers are under pressure, workers are stretched thin, and the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. The Care Crisis: A Sector Under Pressure The care and support sector is now Australia’s largest employing industry , accounting for over 16% of the national workforce . Yet despite its size, demand continues to surge at a pace the system is not fully prepared for. Aged care and disability support roles are projected to be among the fastest-growing occupations over the next decade , driven by both demographic and policy changes. Simply put: more Australians need care than ever before — and that number is only rising. A Demographic Shift Driving Demand At the heart of this demand is a significant and accelerating demographic shift. Australia’s population aged 65 and over is expected to increase by more than 2 million (67.8%) between 2024 and 2044 The number of Australians aged 85+ — those with the highest care needs — will grow by 67% between 2024 and 2035 The number of people requiring care is projected to rise from 1.5 million today to 2.5 million by 2050 This ageing population is not just growing — it is living longer, often with more complex health needs that require consistent, skilled support. At the same time, the expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to increase demand for qualified disability support workers, further intensifying pressure on the system. The Workforce Shortage Crunch While demand accelerates, workforce supply is falling behind. Australia could face a shortfall of 400,000 aged care workers by 2050 The NDIS sector alone requires an additional 128,000 workers by mid-2025 Staff turnover remains high, with attrition rates between 17% and 25% in disability support roles This shortage is not just about numbers — it’s about sustainability. High turnover, burnout, and ongoing recruitment challenges are making it increasingly difficult for providers to maintain consistent, high-quality care. Why Agencies Like Health Staff Australia Are Essential In this high-pressure environment, healthcare providers are realising they cannot solve workforce challenges alone.  This is where specialist staffing agencies like Health Staff Australia (HSA) play a critical role.