• YouYi Games return to WA for second year
• Three matches to be played in WA
• Only chance to see Australia v China on Australian soil in 2012

The Australian Boomers will take on Team China in three exciting international basketball matches in Western Australia in the lead up to the London Olympics.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the two teams would face off as part of the YouYi Games international series, which was returning to WA for the second year.

Dr Hames said it would be the only chance for Aussie basketball fans to see their heroes in action against China in Australia this year.

"The YouYi Games are a unique feature of WA's diverse events calendar, and this year they will see the Australian and Chinese national men's teams play in Perth and Albany," he said.

"Australia and China are ranked nine and 10 in the world respectively and have drawn the same group for the Olympic competition, so these three matches will be a crucial part of the pre-Olympic preparation for both sides."

The Minister said the Perth matches would be broadcast into China via CCTV, across Australia on Fox Sports and throughout WA on WIN and Channel 9.

"The YouYi Games offers West Australians the chance to see a great sporting contest in the lead up to the London Olympics as well as creating great exposure for WA in one of our key tourism markets, China," he said.

The first match in the series will be played at Perth's Challenge Stadium on Saturday June 9. The teams will then travel to Albany for the second match on Monday June 11 and return to Perth on Wednesday June 13 for the final match at Challenge Stadium.

Dr Hames said the State Government, through Eventscorp, was proud to support the YouYi Games.

Fact File

• YouYi is Mandarin for 'friendship'
• The series is organised by former Perth Wildcat and Boomers player Andrew Vlahov through his company RV Sport
• For more information, including ticket details, visit http://www.youyigames.com

Minister's office - 6552 5300

• First of four new mobile digital mammogram units for regional WA opened
• Additional three to be rolled out over coming months
• The units will visit 97 locations across regional and remote WA over the next two years

The first of four new state-of-the-art mobile digital mammogram units has been opened today in Mandurah by Health Minister Kim Hames.

Dr Hames said the additional three units would be opened in coming months, ultimately resulting in visits to 97 locations across regional and remote Western Australia over the next two years.

"The use of digital technology in mobile units is expected to reduce unnecessary recalls following initial mammograms, enable faster test results and enhance the screening experience for women," he said.

The units were part of joint funding from the Federal Government, which contributed $13.4million through the Health and Hospital Fund and the State Government, which contributed $800,000 through its Medical Equipment Replacement Program.

The funding has also resulted in the installation of 16 new digital mammography machines in Perth clinics.

The Mandurah unit will remain on-site until December this year.

"The new mobile screening units will also offer improved accessibility for wheelchair users and people who are mobility impaired thanks to the inclusion of an automated wheelchair lift and an improved internal layout," the Minister said.

"The sobering fact is that nearly 250 women die from breast cancer each year in WA and one in nine Australian women is at risk of developing the disease in their lifetime.

"The best way to reduce the number of deaths from the disease is to detect and treat breast cancer as early as possible."

Fact File

• BreastScreen WA is a free screening service for women aged over 40 who do not have any breast symptoms
• The program specifically targets women aged 50 to 69 years who are encouraged to have a mammogram every two years
• Women of all ages who have a concern about a breast symptom should visit their GP

Minister's office - 6552 5300

• Governing councils to include high-level clinical, corporate, government and community experience
• Councils to have key role in planning and monitoring public health services
• Two new public Health Services to serve country WA

A former deputy mayor of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and an eminent intensive care physician will chair country Western Australia's new Health Service governing councils.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the Liberal-National Government was making the public health system more responsive and accountable to the community by establishing a high-level governing council for each of WA's five public Health Services.

"Governing councils will bring together a wealth of knowledge and experience from across the community, clinical, corporate and government sectors," Dr Hames said.

"Each council will play a key role in planning the future for WA's public health services, and ensuring effective community and clinician engagement in local health services planning.

"Having two governing councils across our country regions, enables the public health system to better reflect the distinct needs of the southern, and northern and remote regions, of the State."

Former Kalgoorlie-Boulder deputy mayor Nola Wolski will chair the governing council of the new Northern and Remote Country Health Service. Ms Wolski will bring diverse experience as a businesswoman and former community nurse, as well as chairperson of the Goldfields District Health Advisory Council.

Professor Geoffrey Dobb will lead the governing council of the new Southern Country Health Service. Professor Dobb is director of the Critical Care Division and Head of Intensive Care at Royal Perth Hospital; and a clinical professor at The University of Western Australia.

Each of the country governing councils will include at least one member from each of the health regions within the respective Health Service.

Fact File

• Governing councils are part of a reform of health system governance, which also includes the creation of five public Health Services to replace WA's existing four Area Health Services
• The appointments follow a public expression of interest process which drew more almost 350 applications from around the State
• Details of all governing council appointments available online at: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/governingcouncils

Minister's office - 6552 5300

• Governing councils to include high-level clinical, corporate, government and community experience
• Councils to have key role in planning and monitoring public health services
• One council for each of WA's five public Health Services

An eminent neurosurgeon, a former executive director of WA Police, and a former federal president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) will chair metropolitan Perth's new Health Service governing councils.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the Liberal-National Government was making the public health system more responsive and accountable to the community by establishing a high-level governing council for each of Western Australia's five public Health Services.

"Governing councils will bring together a wealth of knowledge and experience from across the community, clinical, corporate and government sectors," Dr Hames said.

"Each council will play a key role in planning the future for WA's public health services, and ensuring effective community and clinician engagement in local health services planning."

Distinguished neurosurgeon Professor Bryant Stokes will chair the governing council of the South Metropolitan Health Service. Professor Stokes holds three professorships at WA universities, headed the State Neurological Service for 15 years; and was the State's Chief Medical Officer from 1995 to 2001.

Mr Rob McDonald will chair the governing council of the North Metropolitan Health Service. Mr McDonald has served as executive director of WA Police and chief executive officer of the State Supply Commission; and is a director of the Centre for Cerebral Palsy.

Former federal president of the AMA, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, will chair the governing council of the Child and Adolescent Health Service. Dr Capolingua is a general practitioner with extensive experience in health management, education and corporate governance; and is the current chair of Healthway.

Fact File

• Governing councils are part of a reform of health system governance, which also includes the creation of five public Health Services to replace WA's existing four Area Health Services
• The appointments follow a public expression of interest process which drew more almost 350 applications from around the State
• Details of all governing council appointments available online at: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/governingcouncils

Minister's office - 6552 5300

• St John Ambulance service has met or exceeded response targets
• More than 300 additional staff employed
• More upgrades to come

St John Ambulance has performed better than its set public response time targets and bolstered its workforce by more than 300 in three years, Health Minister Kim Hames announced today.

Dr Hames said the additional staff and resources had been made possible by a $149.6million over four years boost from the State Government in the 2010-11 Budget.

"The aim of this massive investment was to ensure St John Ambulance had the resources to make a real change to emergency medical care in this State, and the results speak for themselves," he said.

Figures from March this year show St John Ambulance performed better than set response time targets in the metropolitan area. Of priority 1 calls, 91.1 per cent were responded to within 15 minutes, up from 84.3 per cent at the same time last year. Of priority 2 calls, 91.5 per cent responded to within 25 minutes, up from 80.9 last year and for priority 3 calls, 96.6 per cent of cases responded to within 60 minutes, up from 70.4 last year.

"This huge improvement comes in the face of increased demand on services which have been experienced across the health sector," the Minister said.

"In the Perth metropolitan area, St John Ambulance has recorded a 12 per cent increase in activity from the same time last year. This has been met by an additional 22 ambulance crews for day shift, eight additional crews overnight and an additional 14 patient transport crews throughout the week.

"In addition, the triple-zero calls from the public are being answered more quickly than ever before. In March this year, St John Ambulance answered 14,006 calls, with 94.7 per cent answered within the 10-second target."

Dr Hames said the $149.6million boost had also enabled St John Ambulance to introduce a new electronic patient care record system and would allow ongoing improvements such as more new ambulances, additional on-road resources and more ambulance stations over coming years.

Fact File

• In 2010-11, the Liberal-National Government strengthened emergency ambulances services in Western Australia by investing $149.6million over four years
• The investment followed a major review into the operations of St John Ambulance
• For more information, visit http://www.ambulance.net.au

Minister's office - 6552 5300

• More than 50 after-hours clinics featured in second year of campaign
• Developed by WA Department of Health

A campaign to raise awareness about the after-hours general practitioner (GP) services available to West Australians will kick off its second year this week.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the Department of Health campaign was designed to support patients who needed to see a doctor outside regular business hours.

It featured an interactive iPhone app which allowed people to search for, get directions to, and call for an appointment at their nearest available after-hours GP clinic.

People without an iPhone could get the contact details and locations of their nearest clinic by calling healthdirect Australia 1800 022 222 or visiting WA Health or White Pages online; and using any mobile phone with an internet connection.

Dr Hames said there were now 53 after-hours clinics taking part across the State - including 38 in the Perth metropolitan area, two locum services, and 13 in regional WA.

More than 12,300 people had downloaded the app since its launch last year.

The Minister said it was important that all West Australians knew what GP services were open outside normal business hours.

"This will help people know what to do and who to contact when their own doctor is not available, depending on their medical needs," he said.

The State-wide campaign, which started on April 29, will feature digital, press and outdoor advertisements and highlights the ease of finding an after-hours clinic.

It is funded within the After Hours General Practice Program - a State Government commitment of $8.4million over four years to encourage GPs to extend their opening hours to include weeknights and weekends.

Dr Hames said any GP service which opened before 8am and after 6pm weekdays; before 8am and after 12pm Saturdays; and any time on Sundays and public holidays was free to join the campaign.

Any after-hours GP service that would like to be included in the campaign should contact the Department of Health on 9222 6430.

Fact File

• To download the app, visit the iTunes App Store and search for GP after-hours
• Clinic locations and opening times are also available at http://www.health.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5300

• Call for nominations for 2012 Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards
• Industry award named after Sir David Brand

Nominations for the 2012 Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards have opened, Tourism Minister Kim Hames said today.

Dr Hames said this year was the 40th anniversary of the awards. Western Australia was the first State or Territory to introduce an annual awards program

"These awards are delivered by Tourism Council WA and have a rich history. They were instigated by the WA Department of Tourism in 1972 and named in honour of Sir David Brand, the longest-serving WA Premier," Dr Hames said.

The Minister said by acknowledging and promoting achievements in the industry the State Government was going a long way towards setting the standards visitors expected and deserved.

"Providing visitors with top quality products and services is the best way to continue to attract people to the State," he said.

"I encourage all those involved in WA tourism to celebrate your industry and get involved in the 2012 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards."

The 40th annual WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Burswood Entertainment Complex on Saturday November 10, 2012.

"This will be a spectacular night as we celebrate the past and present achievements of tourism in WA," Dr Hames said.

Fact File

• For details on how to enter the 2012 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, visit the Tourism Council WA website http://www.tourismcouncilwa.com.au

Minister's office - 6552 5300

• Scarborough Beach to host around 6,000 surf lifesavers
• More than 11,000 visitors to WA expected
• Huge boost for local tourism and hospitality industries

Scarborough Beach is set to host one of the world's largest multi-discipline participation events after Western Australia secured the rights to the 2014 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the week-long championships, commonly known as the Aussies, were expected to attract more than 11,000 interstate visitors to WA.

"The Aussies are on the same scale as the Commonwealth Games in terms of numbers of competitors. It is a massive event, and getting it back on the west coast in 2014 is a coup for Scarborough, Perth and the State as a whole," Dr Hames said.

"When the Aussies were last held at Scarborough in 2009, an estimated 81,000 spectators and competitors descended on the beach during the six days of competition.

"The boost to local tourism and hospitality industries in 2014 will be enormous, with a forecast benefit to the local economy conservatively put at more than $20million.

"Scarborough Beach has ideal conditions for the Aussies and was widely praised by competitors and organisers when it last hosted the event in 2009."

The State Government, through Eventscorp, in conjunction with Surf Life Saving WA and the City of Stirling, is proud to support the return of the Aussies to WA in 2014.

"Hosting an event of this size will also help activate the Scarborough beachfront, which is a tourism development priority for the State Government," the Minister said.

Fact File

• In 2009, the Aussies drew more than 80,000 people to Scarborough Beach
• The 2014 Aussies will be held in March

Minister's office - 6552 5300