Dr Simon Lockwood
We are entering a new chapter in our state’s health system. Chris Picton MP was sworn in as South Australia’s new Minister for Health and Wellbeing following the March State Election and at the beginning of August, Dr Robyn Lawrence was introduced as the new Chief Executive of SA Health. Dr Lawrence is currently WA Health’s Assistant Director of Clinical Excellence and will begin as Department for Health and Wellbeing Chief Executive on 12 September 2022. On behalf of Country SA PHN, I congratulate Chris Picton MP and Dr Lawrence on their appointments, and we look forward to working with them both to continue improving country South Australians patient health journeys.
A new chapter brings renewal, new ideas and opportunities. We welcome these prospects as we continue working together on our existing collaborations well exemplified by programs such as HealthPathways SA. A collaboration between Country SA PHN, Adelaide PHN, and Wellbeing SA, HealthPathways delivers an online portal providing General Practitioners and other health professionals with easy access to comprehensive, evidence-based assessment, management, and localised referral resources for specific health conditions. Read more…
Country Access to Cardiac Health (CATCH) program enables country South Australians who have had a cardiac event, to access the same level of follow up support as those living in the metropolitan area. Patients are actively involved in managing their own ongoing heart health leading to improved health outcomes, and an overall reduction in hospital readmissions. Read more…
We have a long and innovative partnership with Integrated Cardiovascular Clinical Network SA (iCCNet) using technology to support GPs with a virtual home multidisciplinary monitoring service. Country SA PHN and iCCNet have partnered delivering the first in Aged Care monitoring in the pandemic in South Australia. In collaboration with iCCNet, we are providing the home monitoring of COVID-19 positive patients via virtual technology and daily phone calls.
We are also working with iCCNet to expand this model for GPs and country South Australians in a first 24-hour, seven-day service. The General Practitioner Extension into acute Monitoring in the home (GPEM) model offers a full After-Hours in-home monitoring, medical and nursing support service in collaboration with the GP. Patients with existing health concerns who ordinarily would have to attend the Emergency Department after hours to receive care, will be provided with a kit containing a Smart Tablet and Bluetooth enabled equipment so that they can take their own observations from the comfort of their own home at any time of the day or night. The results are transferred in real time for review by an experienced Registered Nurse and medical team.
The GPEM program builds on existing frameworks established to keep country South Australians at home and well for longer under the care of their GP, minimise the need to attend a hospital, while having optimal health outcomes. It is a fantastic example of a country SA initiative creating positive change in primary health care with human centred design at its heart.
We look forward to continuing our productive relationship with Department for Health and Wellbeing, Wellbeing SA and the South Australian Local Health Networks for the benefit of all country South Australians.
