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Organization: Deafness Council WA
Title: Deafness Council Western Australia Inc – 25th Anniversary of the introduction of Natal Screening to WA
Alternate tite:
Deafness Council Western Australia Inc – 25th anniversary of the introduction of natal screening to WA
Description:
25 YEARS OF NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA!
The Deafness Council of Western Australia celebrated World Hearing Day with a meeting to acknowledge 25 years of newborn hearing screening in Western Australia.
This was the first large scale newborn hearing pilot study in Australia testing the hearing of 45% of babies born in Western Australia in 2000. Under the auspices of our chairman, Mr. Barry MacKinnon AM, a small committee put together the program with historical aspects summarised by Professor Harvey Coates AO and a panel discussion led by celebrated journalist Mr Geof Parry interviewing ear surgeon Dr Stephen Rodrigues, Audiologist and recipient of the 2025. Dr Harry Blackmore award Dr Lara Shur and previous award recipient Ms Pia Leeming an Audiologist, teacher of the deaf and counsellor to the parents of newborn children with hearing loss. In addition, paediatrician researcher Professor Valerie Sung from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute discussed her work on developing a national database of newborn hearing programs in Australia.
Included in the audience were members of the original Princess Margaret Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital screening committee Mr. Jay Krishnaswamy – former head of Audiology, Dr Noel French -former neonatologist and former Minister of Health Dr John Day AM who was critical in the approval of the original program.
We were delighted that Deafness Council of Western Australia member and chair of the peak national ear and hearing body, the Deafness Forum of Australia Ms. Rae Walker was MC for the evening. The generosity of Ms Elizabeth Perron AM from the Perron Charitable Foundation in presenting two scholarships to deserving candidates for further studies was acknowledged. Dr John Byrne AM, a tireless advocate for those with disabilities presented Dr Lara Shur with her Dr Harry Blackmore award.
Primary site: WPR – Australia
General Photos
Sophie Acquaro, Ms Elizabeth Perron AM, Lily Ratcliffe
Deafness Council WA WHD Planning Committee
Dr John Byrne, Dr Lara Shur
Geof Parry, Prof Sung, Dr Rodrigues, Dr Shur, Pia Leeming
Types of Engagement:
Screening: No
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: neonatal screening
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: Yes