Our public health units
We provide advice and education, and enforce public health legislation such as the Public Health Act 2010, the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 and the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.
Contact one of the following Public Health Units or call 1300 066 055 to contact any public health unit in NSW.
Bathurst Public Health Unit
PO Box 143, Bathurst, 2795
Phone: (02) 6330 5880
Fax: (02) 6332 3137 (secure line)
After hours: 0428 400 526
Dubbo Public Health Unit
PO Box 4061, Dubbo, 2830
Phone: (02) 6809 8979
Fax: (02) 6332 3137 (secure line)
After hours: (02) 6809 6809 (Dubbo Base Hospital) and ask for the Public Health Officer on call, or phone 0418 866 397
Environmental health
Our Environmental Health Services monitor and investigate environmental health issues in our local communities, including:
- Water quality – safe drinking water, the recreational use of water and public swimming pools
- Tobacco regulation – smoke-free areas, tobacco advertising and point of sale regulation and the sale of tobacco products to minors
- Industries – skin penetration industries, funeral industry and sex industry
- Arbovirus control
- Environmental toxicology
- Microbial control, for example Legionella testing
- Aboriginal environmental health – Housing for Health and Water Program.
To help keep our communities safe, we work in partnership with NSW Health, NSW Office of Water, NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the District Emergency Management Committee, Health Intelligence Unit, local government agencies and a variety of Non-Government Organisations such as Red Cross and Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
You can contact Environmental Health Services on 1300 066 055, or visit NSW Health, for more information.
Immunisation and vaccination
Immunisation is one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health measures for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Western NSW LHD immunisation service conducts and supports a variety of vaccination programs across Western NSW each year. These programs include:
- early childhood and council clinics for children aged 0-5 years
- Aboriginal Immunisation Program
- school-based Adolescent Vaccination Program
- Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination program for people 50 year and older age group
- travel medicine enquiries
- occupational health vaccine enquiries
- protecting newborn babies from whooping cough with the vaccination of pregnant women
- Neonatal Hepatitis B Vaccination Program.
Programs are conducted in partnership with the Early Childhood Program, the Western NSW Primary Health Network, the education sector, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Aboriginal Health Services and local government.
For more information about our immunisation services please contact the Public Health Unit.
For more information please visit NSW Health Immunisation or the Department of Health and Aged Care: Immunise Australia Program.
Infectious diseases
The public health team undertakes a range of activities related to the surveillance, investigation and control of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
Notifications of specific notifiable conditions are received from doctors, laboratories, hospitals, schools and childcare centres. The team also provides support and advice about non-notifiable diseases that may pose significant risks to public health.
Notification of diseases is very important, as it allows our staff to work with other health workers to ensure appropriate public health measures are taken, preventing further spread of disease, and to identify a disease source.
Needle and syringe program (NSP)
We provide a range of outlets under the NSW needle and syringe program, to help reduce the spread of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis C and HIV among people who inject drugs and the wider community. Sterile injecting equipment and community sharps disposal is available at all LHD sites.
We also offer Blood-Borne Virus and Needle and Syringe program education sessions to community groups, schools, youth services and Non-Government Organisations. This helps to raise awareness of safer sex, injecting practices and the importance of regular screening/testing to maintain good health and builds local capacity and increases awareness of the most up-to-date, evidence-based information and available services, especially in our more rural and remote communities.
No referral is necessary.
| Area | Service | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bathurst, Blayney, Canowindra, Condobolin, Cowra, Eugowra, Forbes, Grenfell, Molong, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Peak Hill, Rylstone, Tottenham, Trundle, Tullamore | Orange NSP 96 Kite Street | (02) 6393 4800 |
| Baradine, Binnaway, Bourke, Brewarrina, Carinda, Cobar, Collarenebri, Coolah, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Dubbo, Dunedoo, Enngonia, Gilgandra, Gongolgon, Goodooga, Gulargambone, Gulgong, Lightning Ridge, Louth, Mudgee, Narromine, Nyngan, Tilpa, Trangie, Walgett, Wanaaring, Warren, Weilmoringle, Wellington | Dubbo NSP 203 Brisbane Street | (02) 6809 7300 |
Find your nearest outlet and read more about these services at NSW Needle and Syringe Program.
To find out more about community sharps management, including what to do if you find a needle or syringe visit Community sharps management.
Tuberculosis service
Tuberculosis (TB) can damage a person’s lungs or other parts of the body and cause serious illness. Healthcare providers are encouraged to refer anyone with signs and/or symptoms of TB for specialist consultation.
Free treatment of TB is accessed through our services and regular TB testing clinics are held at Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange. Specialist TB clinicians are available to work with your doctor and other healthcare providers.
Contact one of our Public Health Unit's for more information.