Registration in MyMedicare is voluntary for patients, practices and providers
MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model. It aims to strengthen the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner (GP) and primary care teams.
Why it is important
MyMedicare patients will have access to:
The 2023–24 Budget invests $19.7 million over 4 years in MyMedicare.
A further $39.8 million will be delivered over 4 years to support systems delivery through Services Australia.
The Australian Government announced the commitment to establish 50 Urgent Care Clinics across Australia in the October 2022-2023 Budget. Urgent Care Clinics will ease pressure on hospitals and give Australian families more options to see a healthcare professional when they have an urgent, but not life-threatening, need for care and are unable to access their usual GP or other care provider.
The Mount Gambier Urgent Care Clinic has opened its doors on Monday 20 November 2023, offering Bulk-billed health care, no appointment urgent healthcare in a bid to ease pressure on the Mount Gambier Hospital emergency department.
The new centre will operate out of 13 Crouch Street South Mt Gambier and will be open extended hours seven days a week 9am to 6pm the first 2 weeks, offering an alternative option to presenting at the hospital's emergency department by offering after-hours non-emergency care, and allowing emergency department doctors to focus on higher-priority emergency care.
Current hours and up to 24/12/23:
Mon – Fri 9 am – 6 pm
Sat & Sun 10 am – 5 pm
25 & 26/12/23:
12 noon – 8 pm
27 – 31/12/23:
Mon – Fri 9 am – 6 pm
Sat & Sun 10 am – 5 pm
1/1/24:
10 am – 5 pm
2 – 7/1/24:
Mon – Fri 9 am – 6 pm
Sat & Sun 10 am – 5 pm
From 8/1/24 (increasing hours Mon, Wed & Sunday):
Monday 9 am – 8 pm
Tuesday 9 am – 6 pm
Wednesday 9 am – 8 pm
Thursday 9 am – 6 pm
Friday 9 am – 6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday 10 am – 8 pm
Public Holidays 22/1/24 to 18/2/24
10am – 8pm
Public Holidays 19/2/24 onwards
10am – 10pm
Better access to healthcare for South Australia’s population
Country SA PHN responds to identified national health priorities as determined by the Government, and to respond to local health priorities identified in our 2022-2025 Needs Assessment, by commissioning required services.
The range of services being commissioned under Flexible Funding by Country SA PHN is outlined below.
Country Access to Cardiac Health (CATCH)
Objectives
Telephone based rehabilitaiton service that also involves patients local general practices in their recovery from a cardiac event and ongoing care.
24/7 Remote Health Monitoring
Objectives
The service aims to reduce hospital presentations by monitoring patients from the comfort of their home to track their condition and ensure they receive appropriate care.
My Health PoCiTT
Objectives
Use of point of care testing and virtual home monitoring in selected general practice sites.
Support Services
Objectives
Providing support for Aboriginal Mothers and children in Ceduna
Dental Services
Objectives
Provide extended access to dental services in the after hours period in Eyre, Flinders and Far West, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Yorke Peninsula and the Mid North.
Dental Services
Objectives
Provide an after hours on call telephone based triage information and advice service with the option of tele-dentistry if required throughout the Murray Mallee and Outback regions.
Dental Services
Objectives
Provide dental services to remote towns in SA. The RFDS has received funding to extend the hours of this service into the after hours whilst they are visiting, as well as upskilling the local staff to be able to support patients after hours with emergencies and tele-dentistry services.
Healthy Eating and Lifestyle
Objectives
Deliver the evidenced based Healthy Eating and Lifestyle (HEAL) modification program over 8 weeks in 85 locations throughout the CSAPHN region. Participatants undergo an individual health assessment and sessions consist of supervised exercise and lifestyle modification education with follow up at 5 and 12 months post program completion to track progress.
Palliative Care
Objectives
Delivering psychological interventions and palliative care planning for adults and children with progressive life limiting illness or receiving Palliative care, including their families and significant others. Gawler, Barossa region.
Healthy Eating and Lifestyle
Objectives
Deliver the evidenced based Healthy Eating and Lifestyle (HEAL) modification program over 8 weeks in throughout the CSAPHN region. Participatants undergo an individual health assessment and sessions consist of supervised exercise and lifestyle modification education with follow up at 5 and 12 months post program completion to track progress.
Primary Health Care
Objectives
Provide allied health and other specialist nurse services to under-serviced and disadvantaged people with chronic conditions within the country SA region.
Cancer Screening in CALD communities
Objectives
The delivery of appropriate and targeted cancer prevention information and treatments focussing on the importance of early detection intervention with CALD communities in the Limestone Coast.
Gender Wellbeing Service
Objectives
After hours peer-led telephony information and support service (incoming and outgoing calls) to assist trans and gender diverse people living in Country SA PHN region who lack local gender diverse specialist health services.
Asthma Community Connector
Objectives
develop a whole of community integrated model of asthma self-management and care known as an ‘Asthma Smart Community’ in Minlaton and Yorketown.
Arthritis: Answering the Big Questions
Objectives
Delivered state-wide and takes a multi-faceted phased approach including consumer workshops, animation development, development of digital resources and community education packs.
Living Well with Chronic Pain
Objectives
The delivery of an early intervention chronic pain service using community education, GP referral lifestyle management, Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and opioid reduction methodologies to educate and improve chronic pain. Murray Mallee Region.
Skin Cancer Screening and Awareness Program
Objectives
To increase early detection and treatment of skin cancers through access to screening services in the primary care setting. Keith, Bordertown ,Coober Pedy, Hawker, Port Augusta, Whyalla.
School Immunisation Catch Up Program
Objectives
Build and deliver an alternative model of vaccine administration to catch up under immunised and overdue young Aboriginal people aged between 14-18 years living in Port Augusta.
Please complete the form here and we will be in touch regarding your request.
Country SA PHN is fully committed to receiving and resolving complaints.
Complaints made against a service provider commissioned by Country SA PHN should, in the first instance, be referred to that service provider to be addressed under their complaints handling process. The following complaints should be directed to Country SA PHN:
For all other complaints against the wider PHN organisation, reference should be made to the Primary Health Networks Program Complaints Policy. Interested parties who wish to make a complaint about the wider PHN program should contact the Department of Health directly.
It is preferable that you provide your contact details, however If you would like to submit your feedback anonymously, please leave the contact details section blank.
Reducing the risk of musculoskeletal condition in Australia’s population
Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions are highly prevalent, affecting around 1 in 3 Australians. Although the conditions are rarely fatal, they are large contributors to illness, pain and disability. Compared with the general population, people with musculoskeletal conditions have higher rates of poor health, very high psychological distress and very severe pain.
These conditions are predominantly managed in primary health care settings by a range of health professionals. Treatment involves a combination of medication (for pain and inflammation); physiotherapy; self-management (such as diet and exercise); education on self-management and living with the condition; and referral to specialist care.
Country SA PHN does not provide direct crisis services. If you or someone you know needs more urgent care, please call one of the services below:
A free nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who are affected by suicide
A 24/7 telephone and online counselling service for people 16 years and older living or working in regional South Australia.
Online and 24/7 telephone service that provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
A free and confidential telephone and online service that supports young people aged 12-25 and their families going through a tough time, 7 days a week.
A free, private and confidential 24/7 telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
Online, 24/7 telephone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention service that provides counselling, information and referrals to all Australians experiencing a personal crisis.
Entry point for people experiencing emotional distress, provides advice, guidance and referral to the local mental health service or support that is right for you.
A telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.
Postvention or traumatic incident support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Thirrili works with Local Elders, community and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations to ensure a community response is put in place to support individuals and families.
StandBy is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing free face-to face and/or telephone support for anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide at any stage in their life, including, Individuals, families, and friends; witnesses; first responders; and service providers
Free confidential mental health support for emergency service workers and volunteers including those retired.
Access up to 12 sessions free of charge via telehealth, no referral, Medicare or GP information required.
7-165 Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
A safe and welcoming space to talk to someone if you, or someone you care about, are in distress, or need help finding the right support to meet your needs.
1 Blanche Street, Clare
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
A place to go for help when crisis looms and things get to be too much. Access to a volunteer-based community centre for easy, approachable, non-clinical face to face counselling with a trained professional.
79 Esmond Road, Port Pirie
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
A place to go for help when crisis looms and things get to be too much. Access to a volunteer-based community centre for easy, approachable, non-clinical face to face counselling with a trained professional.
