Country SA PHN Newsletter February 2026
Happy New Year. 2025 ended in the same way it started for Country SA PHN – with lots of purpose driven activity. It was a very successful year for us, commissioning services to assist with closing the gap in health inequity for country South Australians. The holiday period provided a lovely opportunity for our teams to rest, relax and recharge in readiness for what is shaping up to be an equally productive 2026. I hope that you were able to do the same.
Mount Gambier and Victor Harbor Medicare Urgent Care Clinics now open
I’m pleased that more country South Australians are getting the right care, at the right time thanks to the opening of two new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) in country South Australia. The Victor Harbor Medicare UCC provided by Victor Medical opened on December 18, 2025, and the Mount Gambier Medicare UCC provided by Hawkins Medical Centre opened on January 5th this year.
The two new Medicare UCCs provide urgent care for illnesses and injuries that require urgent attention but can be managed without going to a Hospital Emergency Department and may include: minor infections, minor fractures, sprains, cuts and burns, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, insect bites and rashes, minor eye and ear problems, respiratory illnesses, and gastroenteritis.
I’m glad to report that both Medicare UCCs are operating extremely well and have provided high quality care to many during the busy school holiday period. I look forward to providing more information about the positive impact to primary health care that these clinics are having in their respective communities.
Headspace centres
Young people of Gawler and surrounds also now have access to a headspace centre – providing mental health support, connection and engagement with the new centre opening its doors to the community in November 2025.
I was also pleased to attend the official launch of the new full headspace centre in Port Lincoln in November 2025. It’s so impressive to see these centres in operation and to observe first-hand the results of the hard work that has come together to support local communities.
Integrated Team Care Program
In the first half of 2026 Country SA PHN’s Commissioning portfolio will manage approximately 150 primary care service delivery activities right across rural and remote South Australia. I am delighted that as part of this work; Country SA PHN will continue to commission the Integrated Team Care (ITC) program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in country South Australia.
The program is one of four responses by the Closing the Gap Strategy: Tackling Indigenous Chronic Disease developed through the Coalition of Australian Governments and funded through the Indigenous Australians Health Program.
The ITC program contributes to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic health conditions through better access to coordinated and multidisciplinary care, and support for self-management. It contributes to closing the gap in life expectancy for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people by improving access to culturally appropriate mainstream primary care services (including but not limited to general practice, allied health and specialists).
Supporting responsive, high-quality primary care
Advancing Primary Care Grants
In the first half of 2026 Country SA PHN is offering Advancing Primary Care Grants to country South Australian General Practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. This is a one-off funding opportunity to invest in activities that support and strengthen responsive high-quality primary care. The grant funding will be used to support one or more of the following activities:
- Digital development
- Infection prevention and control
- Accreditation
- Workforce development, or
- Health promotion and prevention.
To apply, complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Survey.
I look forward to seeing the positive support that these grants provide to primary care providers to support responsive, high-quality care for country South Australians.
Rural Health Innovation Fund
I am proud to see the growth and evolution of the Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) supported by Country SA PHN. RHIF continues to support outstanding community‑led initiatives that strengthen wellbeing, resilience, and connectedness across regional South Australia.
Three previous RHIF grant recipients have been recognised during the 2026 Australia Day Awards for outstanding service to their communities including: the Town of Gawler’s Community Group of the Year to the Willaston Football Club, Whyalla City Council 2026 Citizen of the Year Award to Gary Misan (Whyalla Men’s Shed) nominated by the Upper Eyre Local Health Cluster and Berri Barmer Council Riverland youth group, Ramble Arts (formerly Riverland Youth Theatre), was named the winner of the Building a Better Community Award.
These past recipients are a great example of what can be achieved by community groups. If you have an innovative idea for improving your community’s health and well-being, I encourage you to apply for our next Grant Round 4 that opens on Monday 2 February and closes on Tuesday 17 March. If successful you could help improve the lives of people in regional and rural South Australia and make a significant contribution to your community’s health and wellbeing.
Australia Day Awards
I would also like to congratulate GP Dr William Gransbury on being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours for his service to the Angaston community. Now retired from general practice Dr Gransbury provided primary care to the community for four decades. He remains active in supporting the Barossa community especially in the area of mental wellness.
Congratulations also to Tracey Wanganeen for being awarded citizen of the year by the City of Mount Gambier for her outstanding community contributions. Tracey is the centre manager of the CSAPHN commissioned Mount Gambier Medicare Mental Health Centre and an active supportive member of her community.
Lessons in Health Leadership from Regional South Australia
This year Country SA PHN is proud to support the inaugural Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) Conference 'Lessons in Health Leadership from Regional South Australia' that will be held in Clare in on 27th March.
I’m pleased that Country SA PHN Executives along with two of our commissioned service providers will be sharing their knowledge and leadership insights to the attendees. I am confident attendees will learn from their innovative approaches to management in the health care sector and enjoy discussing creative solutions to the challenges and opportunities in primary health care in regional South Australia.
Visit the ACHSM website for more information.
Stakeholder Engagement
Finally, I am pleased to confirm that our very successful initiative of stakeholder engagement evenings across country South Australia will continue throughout 2026. These evenings are a great opportunity for the Board, the Chief Operating Officer, members of our Executive team and I to meet and engage with key stakeholders and hear from them about what is happening in their communities.
The first stakeholder event for 2026 will be in Tanunda to discuss the Barossa Hills Fleurieu region. These evenings are always a pleasure and provide us with great insight and opportunities. I trust they are equally beneficial for our attendees, and I look forward to engaging and strengthening relationships with you all throughout 2026.
Published on: February 10, 2026
