Health System Integration and Innovation - July 2026

There’s a new reason to smile across regional South Australia, with the Smiles for Miles program officially underway. Funded by Country SA PHN and delivered by the Australian Dental Foundation (ADFi), this exciting initiative has had a strong start, bringing free oral health screening, treatment and education directly to regional communities. The program began in the Riverland Mallee Coorong region, where local schools, aged care facilities and homelessness services welcomed the mobile dental team with open arms.

Smiles for Miles aims to address poorer oral health outcomes experienced in regional and isolated areas of SA. Children in regional South Australia experience higher rates of tooth decay and hospitalisations, while seniors, particularly those in residential care, often face significant barriers getting to a dentist. By meeting people where they are in classrooms, childcare centres, aged care facilities and recreation centres, the program removes these barriers and delivers timely, equitable care. Highlighting the importance of early dental intervention and community education, ADFi Chairman Dr Greg Miller notes, "the best predictor of dental health in adulthood is a person’s dental health in childhood.”

The early response to Smiles for Miles has been overwhelmingly positive, with dozens of expressions of interest already received from schools across the state, and bookings secured throughout June and July. As Smiles for Miles prepares to expand across South Australia’s six regional Local Health Networks, it continues to provide: healthier smiles, and improved access to dental care. It’s a promising start to a program that is bound to make an impact one smile at a time. Keep an eye out for ‘Clarrie’ the beloved mobile dental bus, as she hits the road!

For more information about Smiles for Miles, visit the Australian Dental Foundation website.

Last month marked the six-month milestone of doors opening at the Victor Harbour Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (MUCC). Since opening, the MUCC has quickly become a trusted and essential health service, providing timely, accessible and high-quality care to the people of Victor Harbor and surrounding areas.

Since inception, the clinic has achieved:

• A total number of patients cared for (inclusive of repeat visits): 9,318
• This represents 38.6% of the 18,663 people in the Local Government Area, or 25.4% of the regional population of 28,363 inclusive of Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, and Goolwa.
• Average number of patients seen per day: 51

Behind these numbers is a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and support staff who have worked tirelessly to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred care. Their commitment has helped establish the clinic as a reliable option for urgent healthcare needs in the community.

Patients have benefited from extended hours, walk-in access with no appointment required, and care that is fully bulk-billed under Medicare. From minor injuries and infections to urgent assessments and follow-up care, the clinic has delivered prompt and compassionate service in a welcoming environment.

The clinic is open 8am-6pm, 7 days per week, 365 days per year including public holidays. More information can be found on the Victor Harbor Medicare Urgent Care Clinic website.

The Victor Harbor Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is delivered by Victor Medical Centre and is commissioned by Country SA PHN through the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. 

As part of the Educations Services program delivered across Country SA, SAPMEA delivered a Dermatology Masterclass session in Victor Harbor on June 3, 2026. This in-person workshop gave participants best practice education on mastering skin cancer diagnosis and excision techniques.

21 medical professionals participated in the workshop with 100% of participants completing the evaluation. 100% of participants rated the facilitators as highly engaging, skilled and knowledgeable. Two thirds of participants plan to modify their practice due to the training and 100% would recommend this CPD activity to a colleague.

This is historically and extremely popular and successful component of this program and fantastic feedback like this demonstrates the positive impact this program has on the primary health care workforce of country SA. Country SA PHN thanks SAPMEA for their ongoing commitment to delivering this program.

“Shape the future of primary care in South Australia.”

Country SA PHN is seeking an experienced South Australian General Practitioner with a passion for improving how care is delivered across the health system, to fulfil the role of GP Clinical Editor (GPCE) within our HealthPathways SA team.

As a GPCE you will use your clinical experience to work collaboratively with fellow clinicians and subject matter experts to create evidence-based, best practice pathways that provide everyday guidance for South Australian healthcare professionals.

HealthPathways SA is an online clinical information and referral portal used at the point of care to support assessment, management, and referral of patients. Access the HealthPathways SA portal for more information.

This flexible role is designed to accommodate varying schedules, offering up to 30 hours per month of online, work-from-home engagement under an independent contractor agreement.

For more information on the role and how to apply, visit Country SA PHN Careers.

Expressions of interest close Sunday 30 August 2026.