Dr Simon Lockwood
Welcome to the July edition of the Country SA PHN Newsletter.
Firstly, as Country SA PHN Chair and on behalf of the Board and our entire organisation I would like to pay tribute to Dr Philip Tideman, an eminent South Australian cardiologist who worked tirelessly for rural cardiac health, who sadly passed away this week after a long battle with bowel cancer.
Growing up in the South-East and working in both Mount Gambier and Adelaide at the Flinders Medical Centre, Dr Tideman was passionate about and dedicated to improving equity of access to cardiovascular care for rural communities.
Recognising that people living in country South Australia had less chance of surviving a heart attack than those living in Adelaide Dr Tideman developed the integrated Cardiovascular Clinical Network (iCCNet) to address this gap.
At Country SA PHN we work with iccNet to develop many programs to benefit rural South Australian cardiac patients. Most recently, we worked with iCCNet to provide a free 24/7 Health Monitoring Service throughout rural South Australia. It enables patients to measure their vital signs at home using a monitoring kit and to be assessed by a nurse or doctor live ‘on screen’ at any time of the day or night, seven days a week. Thus, improving access to urgent care, avoiding unnecessary visits to emergency departments, and supporting rural GPs.
Dr Tideman was Vice President of the Rural Doctors Association of SA and held positions on numerous groups dedicated to improving cardiac health, particularly in rural and remote communities.
These included roles with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health, the Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, and National Heart Foundation of Australia.
Dr Tideman was appointed to the Order of Australia earlier this year and was a finalist for South Australian of the year in 2017.
We extend our condolences to Dr Tideman’s family and loved ones.
Head to Health Site Mount Gambier
Today we find ourselves living in a complex world. For those of us old enough to remember, in the new millennium technology and automation promised to provide a relaxed existence with increased leisure time. Instead, we find ourselves emersed in a myriad of unforeseen complexities – a global pandemic, spiralling cost-of-living, social media, increasing loneliness and operating in a fast-paced 24/7 environment with no off-switch – a perfect storm. Our collective national mental health is a significant crisis.
The Federal Government’s latest offering, to support the mental health and wellbeing of our communities is Head to Health. It offers a phone line (1800 595 212) to help people and their loved ones navigate the available support systems as well as Head to Health walk-in centres. The first of which in country South Australia, is now operating in Mount Gambier, by FocusOne Health.
The strength of the Head to Health sites is their simplicity. Much like the youth headspace model, adults can now drop into the centre without the need for an appointment, a GP referral, or a mental health plan and at no cost. Thus, removing many of the significant barriers for adults seeking mental health assistance – ensuring the community can access the help they need, when they need it. It offers a welcoming ‘no wrong door’ entry point to access mental health information, services, and support.
“Our objective is to create a secure and easily accessible hub for mental health assistance,” says Tracey Wanganeen, Mount Gambier Head to Health Centre Manager.
“The Mount Gambier Head to Health centre goes beyond providing direct services; it is designed to connect individuals with the specific services that best meet their needs.
We prioritise building strong connections and offering comprehensive service navigation to ensure that each person receives the appropriate care and support they require.
Our ultimate goal is to enhance accessibility by establishing seamless pathways that lead individuals to the most suitable and effective resources for their mental health journey.”
Head to Health in Mount Gambier is now available from an interim address at 13A Sturt Street, with services currently available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, building up to five days a week by September. Plans are also underway for a new purpose-built dedicated Head to Health site later this year.
The Federal Government has announced there will be additional Head to Health sites in country South Australia in Port Pirie and an enhanced Head to Health site in Mount Barker providing urgent mental health care. We welcome continuing our work with the Commonwealth to provide much needed mental health support to communities in rural and remote South Australia.
If you or someone you know requires assistance, you can contact Head to Health on 1800 595 212 or go to www.headtohealth.gov.au for more information.
