Health System Integration and Innovation - August 2026

Access to sexual and reproductive health care remains a significant challenge for many people living in regional and remote South Australia. Services such as contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment and early medical abortion can be difficult to access due to geographical, workforce and service availability barriers.

Recognising these challenges, Country SA PHN commissioned SHINE SA to investigate ways to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services across regional South Australia. The resulting Improving Regional Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health report highlighted the need for improved access to accurate information and local referral pathways to support equitable care.

In response to this need, HealthPathways SA continues to expand its Sexual Health suite, providing clinicians with practical, locally relevant guidance to support best-practice care.

HealthPathways SA is pleased to announce the launch of the new Sexual Health Screening pathway, offering evidence-based guidance for both asymptomatic and symptomatic sexual health screening.

The pathway includes:

• South Australian-specific resources and local referral options.
• Guidance to support culturally safe and respectful practice.
• Practical advice on sexual health history taking, appropriate testing, investigation and management.

The Sexual Health suite now includes nine pathways, with additional pathways and resources currently in development. Together, these pathways aim to support clinicians in delivering consistent, high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, regardless of where patients live.

Clinicians are encouraged to explore the new pathway and incorporate it into their practice to support timely, evidence-based sexual health care across South Australia.

Access the Sexual Health Screening pathway

HealthPathways SA is a partnership between SA Health, Adelaide PHN and Country SA PHN.

Country SA PHN reminds eligible services that applications for the Homelessness Access Program Pilot Project remain open until 2:00pm (ACST) on 18 August 2026.

The request for proposal (RFP) is seeking innovative responses from the sector to establish and operate an outreach service aimed at increasing access to primary health services for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) region.

The RFP is open to:

• General Practices
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs)
• Community Service Providers

Applicants must be willing to work across the RMCLHN and may choose to deliver activities in one or more of the following Murray Mallee locations:

• Murray Bridge
• Berri
• Renmark
• Loxton
• Waikerie
• Surrounding townships in RMCLHN

The total funding available under this RFP is $600,000 (excluding GST). Funding will be allocated across two financial years:

• Up to $300,000 available in 2026–27
• Up to $300,000 available in 2027–28

Applicants may submit proposals for projects delivered across both financial years, within the available funding allocation.

The successful applicant will be expected to work towards service commencement by November 2026, and the activity will conclude June 2028.

Additional information about the project, including eligibility criteria, is available in the RFP Guidelines, which can be downloaded from the Country SA PHN e-procurement portal, TenderLink.

Questions relating to the RFP must be posted to the online TenderLink forum.  

Recently, Country SA PHN commissioned the South Australian Postgraduate Medical Education Association (SAPMEA) to facilitate face to face Child Health, Development and Family Safety Workshops in Moonta, Port Augusta and Murray Bridge, bringing together a diverse group of health and community professionals to strengthen their knowledge, skills and collaborative approaches.

The workshops were attended by allied health professionals, general practitioners, and nurses, providing an opportunity for multidisciplinary learning and discussion around the impacts of family violence on children and families. Participants explored the principles of child-centred practice, recognising children's voices and experiences, and identifying practical strategies to support safety, engagement and positive outcomes.

Through interactive discussions and case-based learning, attendees examined the complex dynamics of family violence and child development, and the important role health and community services play in early identification, trauma-informed responses and referral pathways. The workshops also highlighted the value of collaboration across sectors, enabling professionals to work together to provide coordinated and effective support for vulnerable children and families.

SAPMEA is committed to building workforce capability across regional South Australia, ensuring practitioners have access to contemporary training and evidence-based resources. The strong attendance and engagement at these workshops demonstrated the ongoing commitment of local professionals to enhancing family violence responses and delivering care that places children at the centre of practice.

To explore further education opportunities with SAPMEA, browse their Education Calendar.