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November 2024 Volume 10 Issue 7

Acknowledgement of Country

Country SA PHN would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia and pay respects to the Elders past, present and future. We recognise and respect the unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters, and seas, which continue to be important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living today. 

Message from the CEO

Mark Hartigan

As yet another year draws to a close, I would like to reflect on Country SA PHN’s achievements and acknowledge colleagues and collaborators who make those achievements possible. It has been another productive year for Country SA PHN. We are proud of the fact that 86.43% of Country SA PHN’s total expenditure was used for frontline service delivery to commissioned service providers to directly support the health and wellbeing of country South Australians in 2023-24.
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Country SA PHN Activity



Primary Care and Digital Health Support

Regional practice visits

The monthly remote Practice Manager and Practice Nurse meetings continue to see strong participation, bolstered by face-to-face visits from the Primary Care Support team.
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Rural Health Innovation Fund update

As we approach the end of the year, it's a wonderful time to thank our regional communities for their engagement and support.
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Healthy Habits

Healthy Habits is a tailored wellbeing program supporting people to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
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Practice network meeting

Remote practice network meetings continue to be well supported to compliment the face-to-face visiting. 
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Updates to the Emergency Response Planning Tool

Healthpoint ANZ are implementing changes to the content in the Emergency Response Planning Tool.
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Lulu immunisation books

Country SA PHN has funded and will be receiving copies of the Lulu Immunisation books soon.
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Aged Care and Palliative Care

Protecting People in RACH from COVID-19

With the festive season just around the corner, it’s a good time for aged care providers to make sure all residents are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
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Residential Aged Care Network Meeting

We’re pleased to report that our second virtual Residential Aged Care Network Meeting held on Thursday 4 November 2024, was another great success!
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Congratulations to our successful grantees!

We are delighted to congratulate the recipients of the Country SA PHN Vulnerable Populations Immunisation Education Grant Opportunity.
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Ageing in Style at Nuriootpa

Country SA PHN joined forces with the SA Engagement Team from the Department of Health and Aged Care at the Ageing in Style mini expo.
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What is it like setting up a care finder program for people in the middle of a housing crisis?

Michelle Holman, Agedcare Alternatives care finder Adviser for the Limestone Coast, had that experience when she joined the care finder program.
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The Nightingale Program dementia-specific palliative care support

The Nightingale Program is a palliative model of advanced dementia care, provided by specialist nurses and an occupational therapist throughout South Australia.
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Mental Health

HealthPathways SA

Free mental health and wellbeing support available in Port Pirie

The Medicare Mental Health Centre at Port Pirie is now open providing free mental health care that is easy to get when you need it.
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New epilepsy pathways for primary care

HealthPathways SA now has a new suite of pathways focussed on epilepsy.
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Commissioned Services and Tenders

Pause, reflect, reconnect with headspace Berri – celebrating National headspace day 2024

headspace Berri concluded Mental Health Month by marking National headspace Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness and advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians.
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Community Engagement and Cultural Program highlights - headspace Murray Bridge

Throughout Mental Health Month, headspace Murray Bridge have participated in activities that teach our bodies to take a break and think about what’s important.
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Strategic Engagement

Royal Flying Doctor Service Clare Support Group Black Tie Gala Ball

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Clare Support Group celebrated its 70th year of fundraising.
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Regional Primary Health Activity


Registering for Provider Connect Australia
New demonstration videos have been developed to support organisations to set up and register for Provider Connect Australia™. Read more

my health app – a secure and convenient way for individuals to access My Health Record
The National Health Services Directory (NHSD) is now integrated with my health app, allowing consumers to search for a healthcare provider within the app, as well as use the symptom checker and medicines information functions. Read more

New Immunisation resources for parents and expectant parents available
Expectant parents can access these resources to learn about the safety of vaccines, how they for work for pregnancies and newborns, immunisation tips and more. More information

Promoting Stronger Bubba Born
Having a safer and healthy pregnancy is the aim for all families. While having Sorry Business Babies (stillbirth) is unlikely for most women, there are a few key things to do to keep bubba safe. Read more

Bereavement Navigation Service
The Bereavement Navigation Service helps people of all ages connect with bereavement and grief information and available supports. Services are available via telephone, telehealth and in person across Adelaide metro, Riverland, Limestone Coast, Whyalla and Port Augusta. To speak to a Bereavement Navigator call 1800 725 548 (PALLI8) or (08) 8472 8255.

Updated aged care reforms booklet and roadmap
The aged care provider booklet has been updated with the latest information on the reforms. This includes changes starting from 1 July 2025, such as the new Aged Care Act, the new aged care regulatory model and the new Support at Home program. The Department have also updated the aged care reforms roadmap with the latest timeline. This provides you with an overarching look at the reforms and keeps you up to date on changes for the sector. Download the booklet and the roadmap.

Diabetes and Natural Disasters
Raising awareness among people living with diabetes about the importance of planning and preparing for natural disasters can reduce the risk of diabetes-related emergencies and life-threatening situations. The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) offers a range of resources designed to help people with diabetes and health professionals prepare for natural disasters. More information

Indigenous Health Incentive (IHI) registration is changing - 1 January 2025 lifetime registration
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients of any age, who have a chronic illness or mental health disorder, can be registered for the Practice Incentive Program (PIP) IHI. From 1 January 2025, the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) IHI patient registration will move from annual registration to lifetime registration. For more information view the following resources:
IHI patient registration lifetime registration
Register a patient for the PIP IHI online
Transitioning existing IHI registered patients to lifetime registration

RDWA Update
RDWA provides CPD subsidies for resident rural GP/RGs and resident rural private specialists funded by the Regional Local Health Networks. For the GP/RG workforce, the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Resident Rural GP/RG Travel Subsidy provides funding towards personal costs associated with travelling to accredited CPD, including contributing to accommodation, economy air travel, or use of private vehicle. More information

Research Study: Integrating evidence-based early childhood obesity prevention strategies into routine primary health care practice
Are you a primary health care practitioner or other stakeholder involved with health policies or programs for children under 5 years? We want to hear your thoughts and ideas on how early childhood obesity prevention strategies can be better integrated into policies and routine primary health care practice. This will involve a 40-minute online interview, with an e-gift card offered for your time. More information

Survey: Barriers to the management of obesity in primary care
Have your say! We present the opportunity for our fellows and trainees with the RACGP & ACRRM to participate in this short (5-10 minute) online survey. Our goal is to further our understanding of the barriers to obesity management faced by you and your patients. More information

What resources are needed to deprescribe opioids?
Are you a registered healthcare professional practising in Australia? You are invited to complete an anonymous survey about the resources and support required to deprescribe opioids at transitions of care. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. More information

Carer Kits for those at end of life
CarerHelp has developed kits filled with resources to better prepare people caring for someone approaching the end of their life. Read more

New digital patient support for people with Allergic Rhinitis
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) is excited to announce new patient resources to help support those living with allergic rhinitis and is encouraging health professionals who work in primary care to learn more about the campaign. More information

Quit Centre
Quit Centre is the National Best Practice Support Service for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation. Explore the Quit Centre website for latest news and research, events, online training and clinical tools and guidelines. Read more

VETs HeLP: Health providers have access to new elearning platform to help them support veterans
Find out more about this new platform, which contains free courses and resources for health providers. More information

General Practice in Aged Care resources
It’s a great time to remind our Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) that you can access the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive PowerPoint and Information Kit at any time. These resources provide valuable insights into enhancing collaboration between General Practitioners and aged care facilities, improving resident care and access to essential services.

National Cancer Screening Register Guides for General Practice
The NCSR supports the operations of these programs by maintaining a digital record for each participant, sending invitations and reminders, including bowel screening test kits, and following up with individuals who have abnormal results. This Primary Care Onboarding Kit is designed to help you maximise the benefits of the NCSR integration and includes important resources for supporting patients in bowel and cervical screening. More information

Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice
General practice plays a central role in the early identification and optimal management of people with type 2 diabetes. These guidelines give up-to-date, evidence-based information tailored to support general practitioners and their teams in providing high-quality clinical management tools. More information

GPACI update - Q1 payments
Quarter 1 payments for GPACI are now flowing onto general practices. Some payments to practices have not been able to be processed by Services Australia where practice or responsible provider bank account details have not been provided or need to be updated. A new resource published by Services Australia is available to assist practices and providers in understanding and acting on failed payment notifications. For support on MyMedicare and GPACI, please contact [email protected]. More information

Do you work with rural and regional Australian families and young people who struggle with their anxiety?
UniSQ are currently recruiting rural and regional families with children and teenagers (aged 7-17 years) experiencing high levels of anxiety to help us test a free, online anxiety program that uses evidence-informed strategies to help young people learn anxiety coping skills. If you know any families with young people that might benefit from this program, please direct them to the Momentum Research website.

What is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means the body’s natural defences (immune system) which are designed to fight off viruses, bacteria and infection get confused and start to attack your joints. This can cause pain, swelling, discomfort, fatigue, and reduced mobility. My JIA is a booklet about living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis designed and published in the UK by Juvenile Arthritis Research (JAR) with the help of patients, parents and health professionals. More information

Introducing ACNE CONNECT – Improving Access to Dermatologists Across Rural Australia
ACNE CONNECT, a new and innovative telemedicine dermatology service offers convenient, high-quality dermatologist care. A 12-month face-to-face educational tour across regional and rural Australia will start in January 2025, visiting at least 50 high schools, 50 general practices, and 50 pharmacies over 50 weeks. The tour aims to promote sun safety during adolescence, the benefits of effective general skincare, and empower GP Specialists and Pharmacists to better manage cases of mild to moderate acne when dermatologist input isn’t needed. Contact Dr Alex Coe for more information [email protected].

Country SA PHN Funded
Educational Events


Webinars / e-Learning

Palliative Medication Proficiency: Mastering Syringe Drivers and Opioid Administration in Home Settings
Two hour online course for GPs, Nurses and Aged Care Workers.
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MindFit at Work for primary health staff
Free 1 hour mental health sessions designed for all staff who work in residential aged care, general practice and primary health care.  
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Housing and Homelessness Sector Education Module
The 60–90-minute interactive module provides education for care finders and other professionals.
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CDM Plus – Online Training via Portal
The online portal provides access to webinars, online modules, resources, and workbooks.
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Industry Education and Events


Face to Face

Doctors’ Health SA Rural Retreat Program
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 February 2025
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National Care and Support Sector Conference 2025
Friday 25 July 2025, 7.30am - 5.00pm
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