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October 2024 Volume 10 Issue 6

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

It is hard to believe that the end of the year is nearly upon us. 2024 has been a year of significant activity for Country SA PHN. In addition to our core activity Country SA PHN has been busy building the Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF). Launched in December 2022 the Fund is an exciting opportunity to enhance and support country South Australia’s innovative and holistic health and well-being outcomes. Through the inaugural grant round in March 2023, RHIF has provided funding opportunities for community-led programs to drive initiatives that support innovative, positive outcomes for our rural communities.
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Country SA PHN Activity



Primary Care and Digital Health Support

GoShare Plus

Country SA PHN is funding a Shingles Vaccination Recall Program using GoShare to send a SMS message to eligible patients, encouraging them to attend their practice for vaccination.
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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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Face-to-face nurse network meeting

A breakfast network meeting will be trialed in Port Lincoln in December aiming to provide stronger relationships and better knowledge of services available.
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Aged Care and Palliative Care

Adult Attitude to Grief (AAG) Scale on GoShare

Introducing the The Adult Attitude to Grief scale (AAG) – Now Available to General Practices via Healthily GoShare Plus Platform.
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South Australian care finders networking supporting success

Jointly hosted by Country SA PHN and Adelaide PHN, the care finder bimonthly networking meetings have evolved enormously since the care finder program commenced in early 2023.
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LiveUp – Helping older Australians to discover the upside of ageing

LiveUp is a free healthy ageing guide funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, designed to help older people in Australia stay active, independent and socially connected as they age.
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Residential Aged Care Network Meeting

The first virtual Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) Network Meeting on 5 September 2024 was a great success with many attendees from across country SA sharing their experiences and insights.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing Well Research Symposium

Country SA PHN had the pleasure of attending the symposium, learning about the Aboriginal-informed System Connector Model for Ageing Well.
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Care finder and Palliative care staff join State Yarning Circle

Debbie Timpano, Palliative Care Project Officer and Helen Morley, Care Finder Program Lead at Country SA PHN, had the privilege of joining the Elder Care Support Program State Yarning Circle recently.
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GoShare bundles

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Advance Care Planning, Palliative Care and End of Life Information Bundles are a valuable resource that is currently available on the digital Healthily GoShare Plus platform.
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Mental Health

HealthPathways SA

Head to Health Phone Service

The Head to Health Phone Service connects people to the mental health and wellbeing support that best suits them. This free and confidential service is run by local practitioners across South Australia, including regional areas.
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New resources for clinicians to support people who have experienced Strangulation and/or Sexual Assault

HealthPathways South Australia (HPSA) has been working with South Australian experts to develop a range of pathways and resources to support clinicians working with people experiencing Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
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Commissioned Services and Tenders

Skin Cancer Skills Training Update Port Pirie

On 9 October 2024, SAPMEA hosted a hands-on Skin Cancer Skills Training session that provided attendees with essential skills to identify and diagnose various skin cancers.
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Paediatrics Health Update Murray Bridge

On 2 October 2024, SAPMEA hosted a Paediatric Health Update workshop that enhanced participants' understanding of paediatric care.
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Commissioning: Integrated Team Care – Nganampa Health Council

The Care Coordination programme has been providing access to health care and specialty services for all patients with chronic conditions.
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Tender for education and workforce development services

Country SA PHN is pleased to be commissioning new education and workforce development services for regional South Australia.
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Regional Primary Health Activity


Vaccines added to national stockpile to boost bird flu preparedness
The Australian Government announced a $95 million investment to further prepare and protect Australia against the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu). As part of the funding, $22.1 million has been deployed to strengthen public health preparedness by increasing and diversifying the number of ready-to-use pandemic flu vaccines in the National Medical Stockpile.

Screen Me! Stakeholder packs for health organisations
A new campaign, Screen Me! is encouraging women and people with a cervix with disability to make an appointment and get their regular cervical screen.
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Department of Health and Ageing – Your Aged Care Update
Keep up to date with the Department of Health and Ageing by subscribing to Your Aged Care Update and receive the weekly newsletter containing all things relevant to Reforms, Sector News, Residential Aged Care, In-Home Care and Workforce.

General Practice in Aged Care Incentive – FAQ for Aged Care Residents and Carers
The Department of Health and Aged Care has made available a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource for aged care residents and carers. We encourage residents and carers to access this resource to better understand the support available to them in the aged care system. More information is also available for MyMedicare FAQs.

BreastScreen SA’s resources for GPs
Did you know that BreastScreen SA has a Health Professionals section on their website? This section includes useful information for GPs and other health providers to learn about breast cancer screening, including eligibility and risk assessment. Read more

Improving outcomes for people with a concussion: the AUS-mTBI study and app using HeadCheck
The Australian Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (AUS-mTBI) study is a national endeavour that is developing an online tool to improve care and recovery for people who suffer a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion. Read more

Composition of 2025 flu vaccines for Australia announced
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has accepted recommendations from the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) regarding the composition of influenza vaccines for Australia in 2025. The AIVC recommendations align with World Health Organization guidance on 2025 southern hemisphere vaccines.

Younger people in residential aged care information and resources
The Australian Government is working to stop younger people aged under 65 years from going into residential aged care, by helping them consider and access suitable accommodation and support. Toolkit resources are available to help raise awareness.
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COVID-19 vaccinations in RACH
Country SA PHN greatly appreciates the ongoing support and commitment from our Country SA RACHs who continue to ensure all consenting residents receive timely access to COVID-19 vaccinations. If your RACH is experiencing any issues or concerns, including delays or longer than usual wait times for COVID-19 vaccinations for residents, please don’t hesitate to reach out for additional support at [email protected].

New ELDAC resources support sensitive conversations in aged care
The new ELDAC Talking with Families resources support staff in aged care by engaging families in these conversations. By building trust and relationships over time, these sensitive discussions can be approached with compassion and understanding. The free kits are perfect for managers, nurses, advisors, care workers and other staff and include conversation starters, brochures, posters and handouts.

Australian Primary Health Care Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Survey 2024
The 2024 Workforce Survey is currently open for responses. Please note that if you are a nurse or midwife working in a primary care setting, you can complete the survey, even if you are not a member of the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association. Once completed, the survey, which can be finished in approximately half an hour, puts you in with the chance to win a cash card or voucher. Take the survey

Job Opportunities


Dementia Occupational Therapist
Dementia Australia
Applications close Friday 22 November 2024.
View the full position description

Country SA PHN Funded
Educational Events


Face to Face

Wound Care Workshop - Mount Gambier
Monday 11 November 2024, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
More information 

Burns management in rural regions - Kangaroo Island
Tuesday 26 November 2024, 6.30pm - 8.30pm 
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Skin Cancer Skills Training - Wallaroo
Wednesday 13 November 2024, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
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Webinars / e-Learning

Weight Management Webinar
Monday 4 November 2024, 7.00pm - 9.00pm
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PalliLEARN – What matters most to me?
Tuesday 12 November 2024, 11.00am - 12.00pm
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PalliLEARN – Palliative caring
Tuesday 28 November 2024, 1.00pm - 2.00pm
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Nutrition through the Lifecycle Webinar
Wednesday 4 December 2024, 7.00pm – 9.00pm
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CKD ECHO: Specialist referral, including specialist vs GP prescribing
Tuesday 10 December 2024, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
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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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Housing and Homelessness Sector Education Module
The 60–90-minute interactive module provides education for care finders and other professionals.
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PalliLEARN – Your role in a compassionate community
Tuesday 7 November 2024, 11.00am - 12.00pm
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CKD ECHO: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to slow CKD progression
Tuesday 12 November 2024, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
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Nicotine Addiction, Smoking and Vaping Cessation Webinar
Thursday 5 December 2024, 7.00pm – 9.00pm
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ECHO Chronic Kidney Disease
Monthly on Tuesdays, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
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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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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


Health Awareness Dates

World Diabetes Day
14 November 2024
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Perinatal Mental Health Week
17 - 23 November 2024
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World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day
20 November 2024
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Cervical Cancer Awareness Week
10 - 16 November 2024
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National Skin Cancer Action Week
17 - 23 November 2024
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Movember
Take on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
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Face to Face

Advance Care Planning Australia National Symposium
Friday 8 November 2024, 8.30am - 5.30pm 
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Occupational Therapy Australia’s OT Mental Health Forum 2024 - Melbourne
Thursday 28 - Friday 29 November 2024 
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Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education presents Walawaani Conference
Monday 2 - Tuesday 3 December 2024 
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Wakefield & SA Pathology GP Educational Evening - Victor Harbor
Friday 22 November 2024, 6.00pm - 9.15pm
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GP MBS Education Workshop 2 Day Event
Saturday 30 November - Sunday 1 December 2024
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Webinars / e-Learning

Focussed Psychological Strategies – Level 2 Mental Health Training for GPs
Zoom workshop sessions scheduled each Wednesday from 6 - 27 November 2024.
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Suicide and Unemployment in General Practice Webinar
Tuesday 26 November 2024, 7.00pm – 8.30pm
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Musculoskeletal Lower Back & Shoulders Education
Saturday 30 November 2024, 8.30am - 2.30pm 
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Mentally Healthy Workplaces
Create a positive and productive environment where people want to come to work and perform at their best.
More information

Dementia Education for General Practitioners Podcast
Listen as GPs talk about dementia, its types, diagnosis, management, impacts and more. 
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Tackling the tough stuff - How to have the difficult conversations
Thursday 14 November 2024, 10.00am - 2.00pm 
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Ethical and Legal Considerations in General Practice 2 Part Series (2)
Thursday 28 November 2024, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
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Certificate of Practical Dermoscopy
The free course consists of both online study and a 1-day face-to-face workshop. Take advantage of this offer and apply by 29 November 2024.
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Clinical audit: Management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
The free course allows GPs to earn 6 CPD points and takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete.
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Online Mental Health Professional Development for General Practitioners
Are you looking for online professional development opportunities in mental health? Check out Monash University's Master of Mental Health Science, an online course designed to upskill clinicians delivering mental health care across a range of settings.
More information

Published on: October 30, 2024

Last updated on: October 31, 2024

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