Country SA PHN would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia and pay respects to the Elders past, present and future. We recognise and respect the unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters, and seas, which continue to be important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living today.
Message from the CEO
Mark Hartigan
As we head into beautiful autumnal weather across much of country South Australia, I would like to acknowledge those farmers and broader communities who are impacted by the lack of rain we continue to experience. It is a tough time and has significant flow on effects for many in our state. Read more
Country SA PHN Activity
Primary Care and Digital Health Support
Bulk billing benefits for all Australian General Practices
From 1 November 2025, every general practice will benefit from expanded eligibility for MBS bulk billing incentives to all Australians with a Medicare card. Read more
Use the correct Medicare Provider Number when claiming GPACI-eligible services
Some GPACI-registered practices and their GPs may not have received a payment that they expected due to using an incorrect Medicare Provider Number. Read more
Initial Assessment Referral (IAR) training
Practising GPs and registrars are eligible to receive a $300 payment for completion of IAR-DST training if attending a session before 30 June 2025. Read more
Country SA PHN Primary Care Portal
The portal will serve as a streamlined, single point of online interaction for all things related to Country SA PHN. Read more
my health: A secure and convenient way to keep your electronic prescriptions
my health is a secure and convenient way to view key health information that you, your healthcare providers or representatives have uploaded to My Health Record. Read more
Amendments to the Australian Immunisation Register
From Saturday 1 March 2025, all vaccination providers must report to the Australian Immunisation Register whether an individual was pregnant at the time of vaccination. Read more
GoShare Pneumococcal Recall Program
Pfitzer have confirmed the Pneumococcal Recall campaign will continue to be sponsored in 2025 and general practices are again invited to participate regardless of previous participation. Read more
End Stage Dementia Pathway available now on HealthPathways SA
HealthPathways SA has recently localised end stage dementia to complement their very popular cognitive impairment and dementia pathway. Read more
Aged Care
COVID-19 vaccination information for residential aged care providers – Engage with Country SA PHN
Residential aged care homes are encouraged to engage with their PHN for help to secure a primary care vaccination provider. Read more
Care finders engage with consumers at Mount Gambier Disability, Aged and Lifestyle Expo
On Friday 14 March 2025, the Catalyst Foundation facilitated the inaugural Limestone Coast Disability, Aged and Lifestyle Expo. Read more
Advance Care Planning Week: Riverland and Limestone Coast care finders connect with community
The FocusOne Health care finder team are continually working on building strong referral networks with local community organisations across the Riverland, Limestone Coast and Mid Murray regions. Read more
Adult Attitude to Grief (AAG) Scale on GoShare
Introducing the The Adult Attitude to Grief scale (AAG) – Now Available to General Practices via Healthily GoShare Plus Platform. Read more
Mental Health
Country SA Rural Psychiatry Training in Primary Mental Health
This important partnership activity has a shared vision of increasing equity in access to mental health treatment for people living in country South Australia. Read more
Enhancements to the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has recently extended the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program to see continuity of services over the next two years. Read more
Head to Health Phone Service renamed Medicare Mental Health
Only the name is changing. There will be no changes to the free, comprehensive and confidential services provided through the Medicare Mental Health phone service. Read more
Strategic Engagement
Engaging with the community
Country SA PHN Community Advisory Committees are providing their local knowledge in auditing the Regional Services Directory. Read more
Rural Health Innovation Fund update
We are celebrating the success of Grant Round 2 Recipients and sharing their stories far and wide. Apply for a Round 3 grant by Monday 28 April 2025. Read more
Health System Integration and Innovation
National Close the Gap Day
On behalf of Country SA PHN and the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAP WG), we acknowledged Close the Gap Day on Thursday 20 March 2025. Read more
Diabetes SA - Type 2 diabetes detection and education activity
On Saturday 1 March 2025, Diabetes SA attended the Mannum Show, providing locals with an opportunity to be screened and tested for type 2 diabetes. Read more
Funded Opportunity: Primary Healthcare Recruitment for Supporting the Primary Care Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence pilot project
Adelaide PHN and Country SA PHN are recruiting up to five primary care practices located in the Whyalla and Port Augusta regions, to participate in a new pilot program. Read more
Regional Primary Health Activity
Workforce Incentive Program - Practice Stream new reporting resource A new WIP-PS resource is available to assist general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to meet their reporting requirements under the WIP-PS program. The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed this resource to remind program recipients of the expectations when confirming WIP-PS Quarterly Confirmation Statement content, and to support practices receive the highest level of the WIP-PS payment they are eligible for. More information
Participate in ‘Understanding Suicidal Thoughts & Experiences in Country SA’ survey The Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network (LELAN) is running a survey designed to gather insights from people in country South Australia who have had suicidal experiences, including suicidal thoughts. Complete the survey
For health professionals: how to submit claims for veteran service delivery The Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides guidance on their website on how providers can submit claims correctly for services delivered to veterans, to ensure prompt receipt of payments. More information
Bipolar Disorder Services Research Invitation Are you at least 18 years old, live in Australia and have a bipolar disorder diagnosis? You’re invited to consider participating in a bipolar disorder study related to psychosocial services. More information
Research Survey on Rural Junior Doctor Wellbeing Are you working in a rural area as a junior doctor? Consider participating in this short online survey focused on mental wellbeing. Complete the survey
Intellectual Disability Awareness Workshop Thursday 1 May 2025, 6.00pm - 8.30pm More information
Last Aid – Whyalla Monday 19 May 2025, 9.00am - 1.00pm More information
Burns management in rural regions – Port Augusta Tuesday 20 May 2025, 6.30pm - 8.30pm More information
Last Aid – Port Lincoln Sunday 18 May 2025, 9.00am - 1.00pm More information
Wound Care Workshop – Clare Wednesday 21 May 2025, 6.30pm - 9.30pm More information
Responding to Comorbidity – AOD and Mental Health Free one day workshops held in Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, and Murray Bridge. More information
Webinars / e-Learning
PalliLEARN – What matters most to me? Friday 11 April 2025, 10.00am - 11.00am More information
Homelessness & Health Monday 5 May 2025, 7.00pm – 9.00pm More information
PalliLEARN – Talking to children about dying and grief Tuesday 13 May 2025, 11.00am – 12.00pm More information
PalliLEARN – Your role in a compassionate community Wednesday 11 June 2025, 10.00am – 11.00am More information
MindFit at Work for primary health staff Free 1 hour mental health sessions designed for all staff who work in residential aged care, general practice and primary health care. More information
PalliLEARN – Palliative caring Friday 11 April 2025, 11.30am - 12.30pm More information
PalliLEARN – How to have a conversation about dying and grief Tuesday 13 May 2025, 12.30pm – 1.30pm More information
PalliLEARN – What matters most to me? Wednesday 11 June 2025, 11.30am – 12.30pm More information
Clinical Audit: Smoking & Vaping Cessation A 5-stage audit activity to be completed over 5 months from February - June 2025. More information
Palliative Medication Proficiency: Mastering Syringe Drivers and Opioid Administration in Home Settings Two hour online course for GPs, Nurses and Aged Care Workers. More information
Industry Education and Events
Face to Face
Port Augusta: Supporting complex dementia event Thursday 10 April 2025, 2.00pm - 5.00pm More information
Beyond the Gap - Continuity in Medicines Management (CMM) Protocol Co-design Workshop Friday 2 May 2025, 9.00am – 4.00pm More information
Occupational Therapy Australia’s 31st National Conference and Exhibition Wednesday 25 – Friday 27 June 2025 More information
Early bird registration open for 2025 Oceanic Palliative Care Conference in Brisbane Wednesday 10 - Friday 12 September 2025 More information
Cervical Screening Provider Course Wednesday 30 April 2025, 9.15am - 5.00pm More information
Certificate in Sexual Health for Registered Nurses and Midwives Monday 19 - Friday 23 May 2025, 9.15am - 5.00pm More information
National Care and Support Sector Conference 2025 Friday 25 July 2025, 7.30am - 5.00pm More information
Webinars / e-Learning
Palliative Care Volunteering Information Session Tuesday 15 April 2025, 12.00pm – 12.30pm More information
Palliative Care Volunteering Hot Topic Webinar: Culture & Diversity Wednesday 23 April 2025, 1.00pm – 1.30pm More information
Palliative Care Volunteering Information Session – May 2025 Thursday 15 May 2025, 9.30am – 10.00am More information
Palliative Care Volunteering Hot Topic Webinar: Grief Thursday 27 May 2025, 11.00am – 11.30am More information
Transforming Healthcare with Data Analytics and AI July 2025 More information
Introduction to Health Economic Evaluation Alongside Clinical Studies Wednesday 20 - Thursday 21 August 2025 More information
Equity in Action: LGBTIQA+ Awareness Training Self-paced training. More information
National Lung Cancer Screening Program Health Workforce Education Webinar Tuesday 15 April 2025, 5.30pm – 7.00pm More information
Palliative Care Volunteering Hot Topic Webinar: Carers Wednesday 23 April 2025, 10.30am – 11.00am More information
Dementia Diagnosis and Management in General Practice: A Comprehensive Guide for GPs Thursday 22 May 2025, 7.00pm - 8.30pm More information
Palliative Care Volunteering Information Session – June 2025 Tuesday 17 June 2025, 12.30pm – 1.00pm More information
Digital Health: Idea to Proposal Short Course July 2025 More information
Practical Methods for Health Economic Evaluation Wednesday 29 - Friday 31 October 2025 More information
Telehealth Clinical Skills Program Self-paced module. More information
