Celebrating 60 Years Of WA Poisons Information Centre

• WA Poisons Information Centre celebrates six decades of contribution to patient safety and public health
• The service provides timely advice on serious and time-critical poisoning early as well as specialist advice for metropolitan and regional clinicians
• The 24-hour service supports 50,000 calls a year to consumers as well as clinicians involved in the care of poisoned patients
• The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring all Western Australians can access the healthcare we need, when we need it.

The 13 November has dual meaning for the team at WA Poisons Information Centre (PICWA) this year, as it celebrates its 60^th anniversary on the day that represents the number of its helpline (13 11 26).

PICWA provides 24-hour expert advice to the general public as well as specialised support to health care providers on the assessment and management of poisoning and toxic exposures.

The service supports nearly 50,000 enquiries a year, from everyday exposures to serious and time-critical poisoning to help people make the right decision quickly to ensure the best possible outcomes.

In addition to supporting the Western Australian community, the PICWA team covers South Australia and Northern Territory and supports the national helpline, to ensure 24-hour coverage for all Australians.

Poisoning is a significant and preventable public health issue in Australia and remains a leading cause of injury-related harm. Accidental poisoning is one of the most common causes of injury-related hospital presentations in children, with many exposures occurring within the home.

The service was originally established at Princess Margaret Hospital in response to an increase in childhood poisonings and took 2,000 calls in its first year.

Initially the centre was managed by specially trained nurses. Today it includes poison specialists who provide assessment and health management advice as well as clinical toxicologists who provides medical advice to clinicians for complex and severe cases.

Most calls to PICWA relate to queries regarding pain killers and exposure to detergents, soaps, ethanol and other common household items as well as bites from insects and animals.

The service also provides education and training to nurses, pharmacists, doctors, and rural and remote practitioners involved in the care of poisoned patients.

Comments attributed to Health Minister Meredith Hammat:

“Over the past 60 years, the Poisons Information Centre of WA has made a significant contribution to public health and patient safety by providing important clinical advice, community education and health literacy to reduce poison-related harm.

“It’s important that Western Australians know that trusted, expert advice in their time of need is just a phone call away, especially in the AI era.

“PICWA’s long-standing contribution to the community has helped generations of Western Australians to receive timely health care.”