Mark Hartigan
As we begin the descent toward Christmas and the end of year it’s hard to believe 2023 will soon be behind us. It has been an exceptionally busy year for us at Country SA PHN.
As part of our vision to close the gap in health inequity for country South Australians we are supporting the Department of Health and Aged Care reforms to strengthen Medicare as recommended by the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report (December 2022). Read more...
Country SA PHN commissions a variety of Aboriginal Health programs across country SA. Do you know what Aboriginal Health programs are in your region. To find out more click here.
Comprehensive Medical Assessment for Residential Aged Care Homes Pathway
The Comprehensive Medical Assessment (CMA) pathway provides a structured opportunity to plan and review the health, physical, and psychosocial wellbeing of people residing in aged care. Every year, residents of aged care homes are entitled to a comprehensive medical assessment. In line with the RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book), the CMA pathway provides multidisciplinary guidance on identifying care needs and risks. Read more...
Empowering Healthcare Professionals: Upcoming Telehealth Training Series
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, staying updated and equipped with the latest skills is crucial. We're excited to announce a series of telehealth training events aimed at empowering healthcare professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those in residential aged care homes, general practices, and multi-purpose services. Read more...
Compassionate Community Conversations
Country SA PHN is thrilled to be funding Palliative Care South Australia in hosting the Statewide Compassionate Community Conversation Series, featuring FREE morning teas across South Australia in November 2023. This will be the largest series of compassionate community conversations ever held in South Australia. EVERYONE IS INVITED. It’s a chance for everyone to join the conversation and discuss how together we can build a compassionate community in your local neighborhood. Compassionate communities are communities with networks of support around people experiencing a serious illness, ageing, disability, dying, grief, and caregiving. Read more...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Advance Care Planning, Palliative Care and End of Life Information Bundles
We are pleased to introduce a valuable resource for general practice and their patients - our educational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Advance Care Planning, Palliative Care, and End of Life information bundles, now available on the digital Healthily GoShare Plus platform. Read more...
Rural Health Innovation Fund Grants Update
Rural Health Innovation Fund Coordinator Trudi Penrose-Starr had the privilege of meeting the Easy Moves Exercise Class facilitated by Jo Minks as part of Port Vincent Progress Association’s Rural Health Innovation Fund grant. This class epitomizes all that is wonderful about a local community coming together. For some participants it is part of their medical rehabilitation that they otherwise cannot access, for others it is their weekly exercise and for all I would say it is their social connection to each other. Read more...
General Practice Visits
Country SA PHN's Primary Care & Digital Health Support team are back on the road visiting general practice staff to provide support and give updates on current Country SA PHN activities. MyMedicare and new Telehealth patient consent to bulk billing were the hot topics of discussion as well as PRODA support, and registration for MyMedicare. Primary Care and Digital Support Manager Julie Di Rito recently visited Eyre Peninsula and with Jane Cooper Primary Care and Digital Support Officer visited the general practices in Port Lincoln, Lower and Mid Eyre regions.
2023 headspace Berri Riverland Pride March
headspace Berri proudly hosted the third annual Riverland Pride March on Friday 22 September along the picturesque Loxton riverfront. The event was made possible through a collaborative approach between headspace Berri and their dedicated youth reference group hERO. 110 participants came together to celebrate our local LGBTQIA+ community. Read more...
GoShare Healthy Lifestyle Program
Healthily and Country SA PHN have co-designed a GoShare digital patient education program to deliver a Primary care-led approach to providing patients with education about healthy weight. With the use of GoShare Plus the aim is to deliver an efficient, targeted, measurable and culturally appropriate approach to the provision of health and wellbeing information (with a focus on healthy weight), utilising video messages from subject matter experts, and community role models. Education is sent directly to patient’s mobile phones via SMS from their trusted primary healthcare provider. Read more...
First Nations mental health and wellbeing support
This resource provides a list of mental health and wellbeing services and supports available to First Nations peoples. Read more...
A new era in aged care: Mandatory care minutes
In a significant stride towards improving the quality of aged care in Australia, a new reform is well underway. As of 1 October 2023, residential aged care homes have been mandated to deliver a minimum of 200 care minutes per resident, per day, and notably, at least 40 of those minutes are to be provided by a Registered Nurse. Read more...
Bulk billing updates
From 1 November 2023, thirteen (13) new higher bulk billing incentive items are being introduced for Commonwealth concession card holders and patients aged under 16 years of age. Read more...
Verbal assignment of benefit arrangements for telehealth services
The Government has not made any new laws introducing signature requirements for patients to access bulk billing under Medicare. Read more...
Amnesty for medical practices with contracted GPs
The registration period for the payroll tax amnesty for medical practices with contracted general practitioners will now remain open until 30 November 2023. Read more...
Update for Provider Connect Australia (PCA) to enhance user experience
Provider Connect Australia (PCA) have recently updated the PCA system with a number of enhancements for users. Read more...
Bereavement Services Navigation and Regional Model of Palliative Care Navigation
Open tender to commission Bereavement Services Navigation and a Regional Model of Palliative Care Navigation is now out. Read more...
Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Training
Each calendar year GPs will need to record 50 hours of CPD across different activity types. With the year-end approaching rapidly, it's crucial to complete and log your mandatory 50 hours of CPD learning for the first year of the 2023-2025 triennium. IAR training sessions are CPD accredited activities with RACGP and ACCRM. Read more...
Cyber security awareness
The Australian Digital Health Agency hosts a number of cyber-security podcasts to help keep you informed and prepare for cyber threats, including the latest “Data recovery tips – do you have a response plan?”. Read more...
RDWA Cultural Competency Training Grants
The grant provides funding to support rural South Australia’s resident and visiting primary health care professionals and support staff to improve health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read more...
National Asthma Council
Spring Update from the National Asthma Council AustraliaFind more resources here.
Palliative Care Connect
Palliative Care Connect is a statewide service that provides information and links to palliative care and bereavement supports in South Australia. An information line is available for people with life-limiting illnesses and their family members, friends, and carers, as well as healthcare professionals. Read more...
MyMedicare practice registration – Frequently asked questions
MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model. It aims to strengthen the relationship between patients, their general practitioner and primary care teams. Information can be found on the Country SA PHN website.
Cervical screening for healthcare providers
The Secondary Prevention Branch within Wellbeing SA delivers a range of activities to maximise participation of South Australians in the National Cervical Screening Program. Read more...
Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) approach in SA
LELAN (the SA Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network) is working to bring the Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) approach to South Australia. This approach (developed in 2008 by the Wildflower Alliance in the United States) responds to suicide differently, not trying to fix or eliminate suicidal thoughts, but sitting with them however uncomfortable that may be. This allows for conversation that focuses on why someone might be feeling that way, instead of on the act of suicide itself. Read more...
Online Bereavement Support Group
Seeking expressions of interest for online bereavement support groups for bereaved people who are living within South Australia. These groups are recommended for people where the death occurred in the past 2 years. Read more...
Changes to Shingles Vaccination
From the 1 November 2023 changes to shingles vaccination with the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. Read more...
Emergency Response Planning Tool
Summer is around the corner and a timely reminder for general practices to update and publish their Emergency Response Planning Tool (ERPT). Country SA PHN continues to fund the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) online emergency response planning tool across the state. Read more...
Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better is a free, national community service program, run by the Cancer Patients Foundation. The program has been designed to help cancer patients learn practical strategies to manage the physical, psychological and social impacts of cancer treatment. Read more...
Stirling Central Health Clinic - Practice Nurse Position
Stirling Central Health Clinic is pleased to invite applications for a Practice Nurse who would like to join our team working casually. Our thriving practice located in tree-lined Druid Avenue, engages an experienced team of General Practitioners, Practice Nurses and administrative staff providing high quality, comprehensive care and support for our patients, across the Adelaide Hills. Read more...
For more professional development opportunities go to www.countrysaphn.com.au
Free Clinical Forum: Could it be Syphilis? - Woodville
Monday 13 November 2023, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Register Here
Kidney Yarning Circle: Palliative Approach to Renal Care - Port Augusta
Tuesday 14 November 2023, 8.30am - 4.00pm
Register Here
Compassionate Community Conversations
Various Dates and Locations in November 2023
Register Here
Wound Management Seminar - Mount Barker
Saturday 18 November 2023, 8.30am - 4.30pm
Register Here
Unpacking the Medicare compliance process
Monday 13 November 2023, 7.00pm - 8.00pm (AEST)
Register Here
Dementia Australia Leadership training
Dementia Australia and Dementia Training Australia are delivering a range of accredited and non-accredited programs to help build leadership skills within the aged and community care sector. Read more...
Engaging children as partners in practice
Emerging Minds’ Engaging children learning pathway consists of seven short courses covering 33 areas of therapeutic practice. Read more...
On-demand digital health webinars for healthcare providers
Healthcare providers can now access on-demand webinars to learn about digital health in their own time, at their own pace. Read more...
Ordering Herpes Simplex Virus type specific serology for asymptomatic patients
Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre (WSSHC) is seeking to better understand GP's knowledge, attitudes, and practices with regard to ordering HSV serology. Reponses will greatly assist us in facilitating education and training, and improving herpes case management and patient education. Although not remunerated, participants are able to claim RACGP/ACCRM CPD points for participation in research activities. Read more...
Join the Conversation: Public Consultation for Aged Care Task Force
Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of aged care. The Task Force is eager to receive feedback on various areas related to funding arrangements, and your insights can make a real difference. Read more...
