Health System Integration and Innovation - October 2025

Varicose veins are surprisingly common, affecting up to 30% of adults, with a higher prevalence in women and older individuals. 

HealthPathways South Australia has launched new clinical pathways for Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency, and Compression Therapy for Varicose Veins, to support General Practitioners manage the physical discomfort and aesthetic concerns often associated with these twisted, enlarged veins. 

These pathways include preventive measures and various treatment options, including lifestyle changes, compression therapy, and surgical interventions. 

In combination they provide clear instructions for assessing venous disease, identifying suitable candidates for compression therapy along with contraindications such as peripheral arterial disease.   

First line treatments are described and there are resources to assist prescribing and sourcing compression garments. If further assessment or surgery options need consideration, the pathways also assist determine urgency and suitability for public or private services using CEAP classification scores. 

Stay informed and strengthen your clinical decision-making by visiting HealthPathways South Australia today. 

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

HealthPathways SA (HPSA) have developed a new Contact Tracing (Partner Notification) pathway with SA based sexual health specialists, to assist clinicians to navigate this sensitive area.

GPs and other health professionals, required to support patients with contact tracing, may find themselves asking questions? For example, how far back should a person contact trace? Which infections are notifiable and when do they need to undertake treatment? Also how to do this sensitively, respectfully and anonymously, when to seek specialist advice and when to refer to Adelaide Sexual Health Centre ASHC? These questions and more are answered within the pathway. It also includes culturally sensitive and respectful practices as well as specific clinical information and condition specific requirements. The base pathway used to develop it, was co–authored with ASHM and reflects the latest clinical guidelines and updates from ASHM including the Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines.

“When a patient is diagnosed with a treatable STI, it is essential that their sexual partners are also considered for testing and treatment. The Contact Tracing (Partner Notification Services-PNS) team at Adelaide Sexual Health Centre (ASHC) is specialised in STI partner notification. They manage this service for all newly diagnosed cases of HIV and infectious syphilis across South Australia. In addition, the PNS team offers expert advice to general practitioners on partner notification and management for patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhoea. ASHC endorses Health Pathways Contact Tracing Guidelines based on Australasian Contact Tracing Guidelines and Australian STI Management Guidelines.” ASHC Nurse Consultant 

HealthPathways SA would like to thank the Adelaide Sexual Health Centre for their support on development and invite GPs and other health professionals to read it and they also invite feedback: STI Contact Tracing (Partner Notification) - Community HealthPathways South Australia.

For more information or to provide feedback please contact the team at: [email protected].

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