Three outstanding general practices have been recognised as finalists in the Excellence in General Practice category of the 2026 Western NSW Primary Health Excellence Awards.
The award recognises excellence in continuous improvement, clinical leadership, and practice-level change. It celebrates GPs, general practices and Aboriginal Medical Services that are improving quality, safety and patient outcomes through innovation, data-driven improvement, workforce development, and patient-centred care.
This year’s finalists, WeCare Health, Broken Hill GP Super Clinic and Williams Street Surgery, have each demonstrated a commitment to improving access to healthcare and delivering better outcomes for their communities.
Williams Street Surgery: Expanding access to care in Broken Hill
Williams Street Surgery has demonstrated how local innovation can address healthcare gaps in regional communities.
Led by Dr Biljana Trask, the practice identified a need for local venesection and iron and vitamin infusion services, which was previously unavailable through general practice in Broken Hill.
Many patients faced lengthy hospital wait times or needed to travel interstate for treatment. In response, the practice established a dedicated IV treatment room, trained staff in infusion procedures and implemented robust clinical governance processes.
The result has been a significant improvement in access to care. Waiting times have reduced from several months to same-week appointments, allowing patients to receive treatment sooner and closer to home.
The service has also reduced pressure on hospital outpatient services while improving continuity of care, with patients now receiving treatment and ongoing management through their regular GP team in one location.
WeCare Health, Bathurst: There’s no wrong door at WeCare Health
WeCare Health has transformed how primary healthcare is delivered across the Central West through an innovative and highly accessible model of care.
Since opening in 2022, the practice has operated a seven-day healthcare model, including public holidays, ensuring people can access care when they need it. Its Nurse Practitioner-led Acute Care Clinic provides same-day treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, helping reduce pressure on local emergency departments.
The practice follows a “no wrong door” approach that connects patients to the right care quickly and efficiently. Over time, it has grown into a fully integrated healthcare hub, bringing together general practice, chronic disease management, preventative care, allied health, aged care services, and after-hours support.
In the past 12 months alone, the Acute Care Clinic managed around 12,000 patient presentations. The practice now provides approximately 200 consultations each day, delivering more than 80,000 patient encounters annually.
WeCare Health also places a strong focus on workforce development, providing training and mentoring opportunities for registrars, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and university students.
Broken Hill GP Super Clinic: Building the Far West Health Workforce
The Broken Hill GP Super Clinic is tackling one of regional healthcare’s greatest challenges by building a sustainable primary healthcare workforce for the future.
The clinic supports health professionals at every stage of their career journey, from school-based apprentices and trainees through to junior doctors, GP Registrars and International Medical Graduates.
Since opening in 2013, the clinic has trained 26 GP Registrars and continues to support doctors working towards Fellowship. It also partners with the Far West Local Health District to provide supervised rural general practice experience for Resident Medical Officers through the Pre-Vocational John Flynn Doctor Program.
A structured orientation program, senior GP mentoring and multidisciplinary teamwork help trainees build clinical confidence and deliver safe, culturally appropriate care.
By investing in education, mentorship and workforce development, the clinic is strengthening access to healthcare and helping ensure Far West communities continue to receive high-quality care close to home.
Together, the finalists in the Excellence in General Practice category demonstrate the vital role general practice plays in improving access, strengthening local health services, and delivering quality care in regional, rural, and remote communities across Western and Far West NSW.
We will be celebrating our finalists across all six categories at the Western NSW Primary Health Excellence Awards gala event in Dubbo on 12 November. For more information and tickets, visit our website.
