At DWECH, our team is here to support Community with caring, respectful and professional health services. Alongside our medical team, we also offer programs designed to improve access to care and support better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dr. Farideh Lashkary M.B.B.S - FRACGP Dr Farideh Lashkary is a specialist General Practitioner and Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Passionate about all aspects of medicine, she enjoys the challenges of general practice and is committed to mentoring interns and registrars. Before settling in Portland in 2018, she practised in Hamilton, Bendigo and Camperdown.
Dr Rakesh Patel is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) with more than 12 years of international medical experience. After relocating to Australia in 2019, he made Portland his home with his wife and son. His professional interests include chronic disease management, dermatology, medical education, preventive care, and mentoring interns and registrars.
BAppSc (Hons) Psychology, M Counselling Psychology, BAppSc Human Biology
Available via mental health plan and GP referral Wednesday & Thursday – 8:30am to 4:30pm
A 715 Health Check is recommended every year for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These health assessments help make sure people are receiving the right healthcare and support early detection, diagnosis and treatment of common and treatable conditions that can impact long-term health.
Clients are entitled to a gift card at the completion of their health assessment and following their course of care.
Medical transport is available for Indigenous clients who have no way of getting to the clinic or specialist appointments.
Transport for clinic or specialist appointments should be booked at the time you make your appointment, and at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment.
Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) is a population health promotion program funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health.
The DWECH TIS team is part of a national network of tobacco control workers who deliver activities to discourage youth smoking uptake, support pregnant smokers with information about the harms of smoking during pregnancy, and educate the broader community about the harmful effects of smoking.
TIS provides information and education through community events, school sessions, workplace visits and local activities. The program also works alongside local and national services, including Aboriginal Quitline, to make sure people wanting support to quit are connected with the right help.
Support Communities and provide culturally safe cancer support services in areas of high cancer burden and develop and deliver tailored health promotion activities and communication campaigns that meet the needs of Communities.