Image: (L&R) Syphilis POCT training session at the Aboriginal Health Conference, (C) Staff from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the Flinders University Syphilis POCT team.

The Syphilis Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) Team from the Flinders University International Centre for POCT recently returned from face-to-face operator training in Perth. There is currently an outbreak of infectious syphilis spreading throughout WA, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. The syphilis POCT screening assay provides a result in 15 minutes, allowing prompt treatment.

The team attended the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia Sexual Health Forum, where many Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) gathered to yarn about best practice Syphilis POCT implementation and undertake Syphilis POCT operator training. Over the weekend, the team were in sunny Fremantle to train WA health care workers at the Rural Health West Aboriginal Health Conference.

On Monday and Tuesday, the WA Department of Health’s Sexual Health Regional Teams Workshop brought together public health care staff and ACCHS from across the state, and the WA Syphilis POCT team participated in the consultation for the next version of the Syphilis Outbreak Response Action Plan.

The trip was rewarding and culturally informative. The Syphilis POCT team is continually inspired by the hard-working health care workers of remote WA and the remarkable contribution they make to sexual health. Further information on the Syphilis POCT program can be found at www.SyphilisPOCT.com.au