New medical equipment to support our Healthy Hearing Outback program in the Pilbara
Access to ear and hearing care in Western Australia’s Western Desert has taken a major step forward, thanks to a collaboration between Ear Science Institute Australia’s Healthy Hearing Outback team, BHP, and Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS). Earlier this month, newly supplied medical equipment, generously sponsored by BHP, was delivered and installed at PAMS clinics across Newman, Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, and Kunawarritji. Our Ear Science Healthy Hearing Outback team is privileged to provide specialist ear and hearing care to Martu and Nyiyaparli people in some of the most remote Aboriginal communities in Australia. This latest initiative continues to build local capacity and strengthen access to healthcare on Country.
Training local clinicians for sustainable ENT services
To support the rollout of the new medical equipment, Ear Science facilitated hands-on training for PAMS clinicians at our Subiaco headquarters. Dr Luke O’Neil and Jessica Yiannos led the session for Dr Cara Sheppard (GP & SMO) and Suhas Putta (Remote Area Nurse), focusing on the use of advanced diagnostic and treatment tools now available in remote clinics.
“Training doctors and nurses on the ground in the use of suction and a microscope will enable patients to access healthcare they would otherwise have to travel to Perth for,” said Dr Luke O’Neil, ENT Consultant. “The utilisation of the equipment will also enable regular medical staff to discuss clinical cases with ENT surgeons in Perth with more information, assisting in diagnosis and management.”
Hands-on training for PAMS clinicians, taking place in the Subiaco clinic.
Bridging the gap in ENT care: diagnostic tools now on Country
The new equipment includes an Ambu nasolaryngoscope, two Zeiss OPMI Pico microscopes, five Vorotek micro-suction units, and a Vorotek binocular scope; enhancing the capability to deliver on-country care and reducing the need for community members to travel long distances for specialist treatment.
“Suction and a microscope are vital pieces of equipment for an ENT surgeon,” Dr O’Neil added. “Having them on Country enables us to make better clinical diagnoses and decisions, thus saving patients costly and disruptive trips to Perth.”
“The practical training with the ear suction machine was the most valuable part of the training for me,” said Suhas Putta, Remote Area Nurse at PAMS. “I can now use the equipment in daily practice to remove discharge, wax, or foreign bodies, which will improve the ear health outcomes for the people in the communities that I work.”
Another training session is planned to further upskill local nurses, ensuring long-term sustainability of care in the region.
“ENT visits to remote communities are still a rare commodity,” Dr O’Neil noted. “Having necessary equipment and local staff trained in their use will reduce the time patients need to suffer from readily reversible ear health problems.”
Diagnostic tools and equipment being tested during PAMS clinician training in Subiaco.
Healthy Hearing Outback program partners
This initiative is part of the Healthy Hearing Outback program, made possible through a long-standing partnership with PAMS, BHP, Mineral Resources, and Rural Health West’s Outreach Program, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.
Pictured:
Dr Luke O’Neil, ENT Consultant
Dr Cara Sheppard, GP and Senor Medical Officer PAMS
Suhas Putta, Remote Area Nurse PAMS
