Health System Integration and Innovation - March 2026

The Country SA PHN Health System Integration and Innovation team recently met with the Doctors at Westlands team to progress the establishment of the Whyalla Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (MUCC). Discussions focused on establishment and operational requirements and mapping out the processes required to ensure the clinic integrates smoothly into the local health system Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide treatment for urgent, non-life threatening conditions including minor injuries, infections, burns, and fractions at no cost to Medicare eligible patients. With extended hours and walk in access, the clinic will improve access to timely, high-quality care while helping to reduce pressure on local hospital emergency departments.

The Whyalla MUCC will bring together general practitioners, nursing staff and a multidisciplinary team of health professionals to deliver rapid, patient centred care when it is needed most.

Country SA PHN looks forward to continuing collaboration with Doctors at Westlands as the Whyalla MUCC progresses toward opening.

The Whyalla Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is delivered by Doctors at Westlands and is commissioned by Country SA PHN through the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

For more information visit the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic website.

Country SA PHN Health System Integration and Innovation team recently visited Whyalla to progress the introduction of the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) Local Link Program across the Country North pilot site, encompassing Whyalla and Port Augusta.

The program establishes a dedicated Local Link Team that connects general practices with specialist FDSV and child sexual abuse (CSA) services. The aim is to equip the primary care workforce with the knowledge and practical strategies required to recognise, respond to and refer patients experiencing FDSV and CSA, while strengthening referral pathways and supporting coordinated, patient centred care.

Country SA PHN has commissioned Relationships Australia South Australia to establish and deliver the Local Link Team. Acting as a bridge between primary care and specialist services, the team will provide streamlined referral processes, care coordination and tailored support to clinicians, ensuring responses prioritise privacy, autonomy and continuity of care.

Doctors at Westlands, Doctors on Playford, and Bunyarra Medical Centre are currently participating in the pilot. During the visit, 19 clinicians and practice staff across the three sites including general practitioners, nurses and administrative team members were introduced to the Local Link model and referral pathways. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration to ensure timely access to appropriate support while maintaining a safe and respectful experience for patients.

The strong engagement from participating practices reflects a shared commitment to improving safety and wellbeing outcomes for individuals and families across the pilot region. The Local Link Team is now service ready and accepting referrals from participating general practices.

This project is being delivered by Adelaide PHN, in partnership with Country SA PHN.

For more information about the pilot, visit the Country SA PHN webpage.

The Mount Gambier Medicare Urgent Care Centre (MUCC) has had a significant and positive impact on the community during its first five weeks of operation - delivering timely and accessible urgent care. Since opening, the clinic has treated an impressive 2,340 patients of which 32 required further treatment within the clinic including procedures such as suturing, removal of foreign bodies, and fracture management. These cases demonstrate the clinic’s capability to manage a broad range of urgent presentations locally, reducing the need for hospital emergency department visits where appropriate.

Practice Manager Deb Robb said the early figures highlight both the dedication of the clinical team and the importance of the service to the region.

“The response from the community has been extremely encouraging. Treating more than two thousand patients in our first five weeks shows there is a clear need for accessible urgent care in Mount Gambier,” said Deb.

“Our team has worked exceptionally hard to ensure patients receive safe, efficient and compassionate care.”

In addition to day-to-day clinical operations, staff recently responded promptly and professionally to an emergency incident that occurred outside the front of the clinic. “Our team demonstrated outstanding professionalism and readiness,” Deb said.

“Their swift response reinforced our commitment to supporting the community not only within our walls, but whenever and wherever care is needed”.

The Mount Gambier Urgent Care Centre has also received patient presentations via the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), supporting local emergency response pathways. In addition, other medical clinics across Mount Gambier are referring patients to the centre, demonstrating strong collaboration and a coordinated approach to healthcare delivery within the local medical community.

A productive working relationship has also been established with Benson’s Radiology, with approximately 25 to 30 patients referred each week for diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, ultrasound examinations and CT scans. This partnership ensures patients have timely access to essential diagnostic services to support accurate and efficient clinical decision-making.

The clinic continues to maintain an active presence on Facebook to keep the community informed, with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“We are very grateful for the supportive messages and feedback from our patients,” Deb said.

“It is rewarding to see the difference the service is making, and we remain committed to delivering high-quality urgent care to the Mount Gambier region as we continue to grow.”

The Mount Gambier Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is delivered by Hawkins Urgent Care Clinic and is commissioned by Country SA PHN through the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

For more information visit the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic website.

Country SA PHN reminds eligible general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations that applications for the Advancing Primary Care Grant remain open until 5:00 pm on Sunday 15 March 2026.

This one-off funding opportunity is designed to support responsive, primary care across country South Australia and is intended to help practices respond to local needs, enhance service capability and build sustainable, high-quality systems of care.

Eligible organisations can apply for up to $9,000 excluding GST per eligible practice location to invest in activities that strengthen primary care delivery within their community. Only one application can be submitted per primary practice location, however, additional applications are permitted for practices operating in different towns and across all weekdays. Successful funding may be used across multiple sites owned or operated by the provider.

Funding can be used to support a broad range of priority areas, including digital development, infection prevention and control, accreditation, workforce development and health promotion and prevention.

Applications are submitted through a short Expression of Interest process that takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. To apply, please complete this Qualtrics survey via the Country SA PHN website.

For further information please contact [email protected].