Page Links - Country SA PHN

Resources & Useful Links

Need support? Contact our Team

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

MBS Items

There is a list of MBS Items available for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Primary Health Care Providers who deliver services to Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander people from the Department of Health. MBS Online also provides information on specific MBS items.

Online learning resources are also available:

Cultural Awareness Training

Cultural Awareness Training is available through your local service providers delivering the ITC program. Please contact your local provider to access this assistance.

Ways to improve culturally safe services and quality care

There are some things that can your Practice can do to start moving your Practice to one that is culturally responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient needs which have been completed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care will be updating the standards required of health care providers in 2018. In these standards, Improving Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People will be undertaken and will affect accreditation processes in the future. For more information please go to Improving care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Overview: Guide to better care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumers (Word 503KB)

Asking the Question Resources

As the first step in providing culturally safe care that is tailored to the needs of patients, you first must know whether your patients identify as being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. You cannot tailor care if you do not know. To do this, there are resources dedicated to assist this process. The question must be asked in the exact same manner every single time and there are different ways that it could be implemented. The strategies which are more suitable are largely dependent on your local area and your own practice context.

Indigenous Health Project Officers in your region, can assist you with Quality Improvement cycles in identification as well as providing you with local strategies that are the most appropriate.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Clinical Care

Health Pathways South Australia is an online portal that provides general practitioners and other health professionals with easy access to comprehensive, evidence-based assessment, management, and localised referral resources for specific health conditions. HealthPathways is both a model of working; bringing together clinicians across the health care sectors to co-develop pathways, and a tangible product in the form of an online health information portal.

There are clinical care pathways that are different for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across a range of health topics. Some of these are currently located in Health Pathways South Australia and are localised to the South Australian context. Different aspects to management and referral pathways are highlighted with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Specific Resources

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is a specific Website that delivers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific health information and resources across Australia to support practice in the delivery of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is extensive.

It contains many resources that cover a range of topics either specific to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander context in South Australia, across other jurisdictions or nationally. If using resources that are either national or from other jurisdictions, please check with Indigenous Health Project Officers regarding local relevance of these resources.

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, and migrant groups from developing countries, have a higher prevalence of ARF and RHD compared to the general Australian population. ARF and RHD are notifiable under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011. For more information about the State-wide RHD Control Program, please see the SA Health website New Australian Guidelines were released in February 2020 and are available from the RHDAustralia website along with a diagnosis calculator app and accredited E-learning modules.

The 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3rd edition)
e-learning (Professionally Accredited)
Smart Apps
- 2020 guideline and ARF diagnosis calculator
- Treatment Tracker
Resource library
Also available from the Menzies School of Health Research
- Clinical Audit Toolkit (CQI)

Cancer Resources

There are a range of resources that are available for Cancer, however, a few have been provided to assist with specific care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Diabetes Resources

There are a range of resources available to support the provision of Diabetes care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

There is a current project to deliver South Australian Aboriginal specific film resources currently underway and will be included on completion.

Ear Health Resources

Ear Health is a public health issue within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population within Country South Australia. HealthPathways South Australia provides a range of relevant resources regarding Otitis Media for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Additional Resources

Flexible Funding

A national priority

Flexible funding enables Country SA PHN to commission services in response to the identified national priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

The range of services being commissioned by the Country SA PHN include:

Chronic Disease Management Services
Workforce Support and Capacity Building
Ngangkari Services
Health Navigation

Chronic Disease Management

Holistic management

Funding has been provided to some Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to deliver a more holistic Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program within their communities.

The funding provides increased access to Allied Health Professionals and Specialist Services, additional staff to existing CDM teams to assist in the coordination of health services in chronic conditions and training and development of staff in these areas, as well as Ngangkari Services.

Service Providers include:

Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation
Oak Valley Health Service
Tullawon Health Service Inc.
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc.

Workforce Support

Increasing the quality of health care services

Contact our Team

Workforce Support and Capacity Building funding is available to Aboriginal primary health care providers inclusive of Integrated Team Care Providers. Activities aim to:

Increase the participation of Aboriginal primary health care providers in professional development, inclusive of Integrated Team Care service providers
Increase access to culturally safe, comprehensive, and coordinated care
Increase capacity to provide quality services.
Enable best practice approach to delivery of care

Services who receive Workforce Support and Capacity Building funding change as according to the organisations communicated needs.

For more information go to our Digital Health and Practice Support pages

Service providers

Bamagee Aboriginal Corporation
FocusOne Health
Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service
Sonder
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

Ngangkari Services

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings of health

A holistic health framework

The activity aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings of health and the complex interplay between cultural, spiritual, physical, social and emotional health. This is targeted at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to provide Ngangkari Services as part of a holistic health framework. It is to support the clinical activities undertaken and can serve to improve participation and engagement in lifestyle programs and education that needs to be undertaken.

Service providers

Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc.
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc.
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Inc.
Pangula Mannamurna Inc.
Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation

Other funded services

Service providers who have access to these services via other funding areas include:

Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation
Oak Valley Health Service
Tullawon Health Service Inc.
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc.

Mental Health, Alcohol & Other Drugs

Supporting the Aboriginal community

Aboriginal Mental Health Services

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health services provide access to effective high-quality health care services in regional, rural and remote locations. This includes through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), wherever possible and appropriate, as well as through mainstream services delivering culturally appropriate primary health care.

This program enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people access to mental health services that are joined up, integrated, culturally appropriate and safe, and designed to holistically meet the mental health and healing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the local level.

Service providers

Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc. (Riverland)
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc. (Murray Mallee)
Nganampa Health Council (APY Lands)
Pangula Mannamurna Inc. (South East)
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (After-Hours – Coober Pedy)

Aboriginal Mental Health and AOD

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and AOD programs are designed to better support substance abuse services to identify and treat coinciding mental illness and substance abuse disorders (including those involving methamphetamine or ‘ice’) by greater service integration.

The program ensures culturally appropriate use of triage systems and processes to identify clients with mental illness and substance abuse disorders and where clients present with co-morbidities to integrated and coordinated care across these services.

Service providers

Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council SA
Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc.
Life without Barriers
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc. (Murray Mallee)
Pangula Mannamurna Inc. (South East)
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (After-Hours – Coober Pedy)

Health navigation

Improving patient service navigation

The aim of the activity is to improve patient pathways of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in systematic discharge, referral and follow-up between hospital and primary health care services.

The objective of the activity is to develop a sustainable platform which identifies and addresses barriers to Aboriginal patient navigation through primary, secondary and tertiary health services.

Aboriginal Health Team

Country SA PHN

(08) 8565 8900

enquiries@countrysaphn.com.au

Resources & Useful Links

Need support? Contact our Team

Cancer Resources

There are a range of resources that are available for Cancer, however, a few have been provided to assist with specific care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Diabetes Resources

There are a range of resources available to support the provision of Diabetes care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Series of video resources, featuring members of rural and remote Aboriginal communities, to capture diabetes stories that highlight challenges and successes in managing diabetes and diabetes risks and complications.

Ear Health Resources

Care for Kids Ear Resources

Additional Resources

A National health framework

Delivering better health care to the Aboriginal Community in SA

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

The current National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023 delivered by the Department of Health guides all health activities in Australia. This is likely to significantly change post 2023 to be in line with the reforms in the National Partnership Agreement delivered in 2020. The Implementation Plan has also been provided to assist further in the implementation of these policies.

National Strategic Framework

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017-2023

Download

Resources

Implementation Plans

Implementation Plan

Documents

Links

Aboriginal Services

Supporting emotional and social wellbeing

There are multiple services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being funded by Country SA PHN. The areas of funding include:

Integrated Team Care
Flexible Funding
Mental Health, Alcohol & Other Drugs Funding

Services co-designed with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector have a strong basis in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing perspective, where physical health, while a key concern, is not the only concern and multiple factors affect physical health.

Chronic Disease Consortium

Improved health & wellbeing

Country SA PHN is part of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, which was established to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians by working together in the prevention and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic diseases.

The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium Road Map for Action outlines the specific activities in which the partnership is striving toward.

SA Aboriginal Chronic Disease

Visit the SA Aboriginal Chronic Disease website for more information.

Chronic Disease Consortium Road Map

Download PDF

CSAPHN & Professional Research Bodies

Country SA PHN works closely with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in the connection between Aboriginal Health research and policy.

The Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Theme provide invaluable information to support the strategic direction of Aboriginal health policy in country South Australia.

Country SA PHN is part of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, which was established to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians by working together in the prevention and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic diseases.

The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium Road Map for Action outlines the specific activities in which the partnership is striving toward. Aboriginal Health has a national policy framework that is delivered through the National Partnership Agreements between the Australian Government and the States and Territories of Australia. This agreement has a supporting National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023 delivered by the Department of Health and guides all health activities in Australia.

Look at the implications of research and what that may mean to services on the ground.
Look at areas where there are known gaps
Look at past and present researched responses to ensure gaps within the primary health care sector being addressed accordingly.

Ensure research outcomes are applied within an Aboriginal context encompassing self-management and self-determination within a holistic health framework.

Resources

Contact

For further information on Aboriginal Health, please contact the team.

Jessica Scott

Manager - Aboriginal Health

(08) 8565 8909

Anthea Kemp

Assistant Manager

(08) 8821 6708

Flexible Funding

A national priority

Flexible funding enables Country SA PHN to commission services in response to the identified national priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

The range of services being commissioned by the Country SA PHN include:

Chronic Disease Management Services
Workforce Support and Capacity Building
Ngangkari Services
Health Navigation

Chronic Disease Management

Holistic management

Funding has been provided to some Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to deliver a more holistic Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program within their communities.

The funding provides increased access to Allied Health Professionals and Specialist Services, additional staff to existing CDM teams to assist in the coordination of health services in chronic conditions and training and development of staff in these areas, as well as Ngangkari Services.

Service Providers include:

Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation
Oak Valley Health Service
Tullawon Health Service Inc.
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc.

Workforce Support

Increasing the quality of health care services

Contact our Team

Workforce Support and Capacity Building funding is available to Aboriginal primary health care providers inclusive of Integrated Team Care Providers. Activities aim to:

Increase the participation of Aboriginal primary health care providers in professional development, inclusive of Integrated Team Care service providers
Increase access to culturally safe, comprehensive, and coordinated care
Increase capacity to provide quality services.
Enable best practice approach to delivery of care

Services who receive Workforce Support and Capacity Building funding change as according to the organisations communicated needs.

For more information go to our Digital Health and Practice Support pages.

Service Providers

Bamagee Aboriginal Corporation
FocusOne Health
Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service
Sonder
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

Ngangkari Services

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings of health

A holistic health framework

The activity aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understandings of health and the complex interplay between cultural, spiritual, physical, social and emotional health. This is targeted at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to provide Ngangkari Services as part of a holistic health framework. It is to support the clinical activities undertaken and can serve to improve participation and engagement in lifestyle programs and education that needs to be undertaken.

Service providers

Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc.
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc.
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Inc.
Pangula Mannamurna Inc.
Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation

Other funded services

Service providers who have access to these services via other funding areas include:

Oak Valley Health Service
Tullawon Health Service Inc.
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

Mental Health, Alcohol & Other Drugs

Supporting the Aboriginal community

Aboriginal Mental Health Services

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health services provide access to effective high-quality health care services in regional, rural and remote locations. This includes through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), wherever possible and appropriate, as well as through mainstream services delivering culturally appropriate primary health care.

This program enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people access to mental health services that are joined up, integrated, culturally appropriate and safe, and designed to holistically meet the mental health and healing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the local level.

Service providers

Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc. (Riverland)
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc. (Murray Mallee)
Nganampa Health Council (APY Lands)
Pangula Mannamurna Inc. (South East)
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (After-Hours – Coober Pedy)

Aboriginal Mental Health and AOD

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and AOD programs are designed to better support substance abuse services to identify and treat coinciding mental illness and substance abuse disorders (including those involving methamphetamine or ‘ice’) by greater service integration.

The program ensures culturally appropriate use of triage systems and processes to identify clients with mental illness and substance abuse disorders and where clients present with co-morbidities to integrated and coordinated care across these services.

Service Providers

Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council SA
Aboriginal Sobriety Group Inc. (Riverland)
Life Without Barriers
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Inc. (Murray Mallee)
Pangula Mannamurna Inc. (South East)
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (Coober Pedy)

Health navigation

Improving patient service navigation

The aim of the activity is to improve patient pathways of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in systematic discharge, referral and follow-up between hospital and primary health care services.

The objective of the activity is to develop a sustainable platform which identifies and addresses barriers to Aboriginal patient navigation through primary, secondary and tertiary health services.

Aboriginal Health Team

Country SA PHN

(08) 8565 8900

Resources & Useful Links

Need support? Contact our Team

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

MBS Items

There is a list of MBS Items available for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Primary Health Care Providers who deliver services to Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander people from the Department of Health. MBS Online also provides information on specific MBS items.

Online learning resources are also available:

Cultural Awareness Training

Cultural Awareness Training is available through your local service providers delivering the ITC program. Please contact your local provider to access this assistance.

Ways to improve culturally safe services and quality care

There are some things that can your Practice can do to start moving your Practice to one that is culturally responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient needs which have been completed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care will be updating the standards required of health care providers in 2018. In these standards, Improving Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People will be undertaken and will affect accreditation processes in the future. For more information please go to Improving care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Overview: Guide to better care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumers (Word 503KB)

Asking the Question Resources

As the first step in providing culturally safe care that is tailored to the needs of patients, you first must know whether your patients identify as being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. You cannot tailor care if you do not know. To do this, there are resources dedicated to assist this process. The question must be asked in the exact same manner every single time and there are different ways that it could be implemented. The strategies which are more suitable are largely dependent on your local area and your own practice context.

Indigenous Health Project Officers in your region, can assist you with Quality Improvement cycles in identification as well as providing you with local strategies that are the most appropriate.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Clinical Care

Health Pathways South Australia is an online portal that provides general practitioners and other health professionals with easy access to comprehensive, evidence-based assessment, management, and localised referral resources for specific health conditions. HealthPathways is both a model of working; bringing together clinicians across the health care sectors to co-develop pathways, and a tangible product in the form of an online health information portal.

There are clinical care pathways that are different for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across a range of health topics. Some of these are currently located in Health Pathways South Australia and are localised to the South Australian context. Different aspects to management and referral pathways are highlighted with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Specific Resources

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is a specific Website that delivers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific health information and resources across Australia to support practice in the delivery of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is extensive.

It contains many resources that cover a range of topics either specific to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander context in South Australia, across other jurisdictions or nationally. If using resources that are either national or from other jurisdictions, please check with Indigenous Health Project Officers regarding local relevance of these resources.

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, and migrant groups from developing countries, have a higher prevalence of ARF and RHD compared to the general Australian population. ARF and RHD are notifiable under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011. For more information about the State-wide RHD Control Program, please see the SA Health website New Australian Guidelines were released in February 2020 and are available from the RHDAustralia website along with a diagnosis calculator app and accredited E-learning modules.

The 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3rd edition)
e-learning (Professionally Accredited)
Smart Apps
- 2020 guideline and ARF diagnosis calculator
- Treatment Tracker
Resource library
Also available from the Menzies School of Health Research
- Clinical Audit Toolkit (CQI)

Cancer Resources

There are a range of resources that are available for Cancer, however, a few have been provided to assist with specific care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Diabetes Resources

There are a range of resources available to support the provision of Diabetes care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

There is a current project to deliver South Australian Aboriginal specific film resources currently underway and will be included on completion.

Ear Health Resources

Ear Health is a public health issue within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population within Country South Australia. HealthPathways South Australia provides a range of relevant resources regarding Otitis Media for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Additional Resources

A National health framework

Delivering better health care to the Aboriginal Community in SA

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

The current National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023 delivered by the Department of Health guides all health activities in Australia. This is likely to significantly change post 2023 to be in line with the reforms in the National Partnership Agreement delivered in 2020. The Implementation Plan has also been provided to assist further in the implementation of these policies.

National Strategic Framework

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017-2023

Download

Resources

Implementation Plans

Implementation Plan

Documents

Brochures

Aboriginal Services

Supporting emotional and social wellbeing

There are multiple services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being funded by Country SA PHN. The areas of funding include:

Integrated Team Care
Flexible Funding
Mental Health, Alcohol & Other Drugs Funding

Services co-designed with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector have a strong basis in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing perspective, where physical health, while a key concern, is not the only concern and multiple factors affect physical health.

Chronic Disease Consortium

Improved health & wellbeing

Country SA PHN is part of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, which was established to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians by working together in the prevention and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic diseases.

The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium Road Map for Action outlines the specific activities in which the partnership is striving toward.

SA Aboriginal Chronic Disease

Visit the SA Aboriginal Chronic Disease website for more information.

Chronic Disease Consortium Road Map

Download PDF

CSAPHN & Professional Research Bodies

Country SA PHN works closely with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in the connection between Aboriginal Health research and policy.

The Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Theme provide invaluable information to support the strategic direction of Aboriginal health policy in country South Australia.

Country SA PHN is part of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, which was established to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians by working together in the prevention and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic diseases.

The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium Road Map for Action outlines the specific activities in which the partnership is striving toward. Aboriginal Health has a national policy framework that is delivered through the National Partnership Agreements between the Australian Government and the States and Territories of Australia. This agreement has a supporting National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023 delivered by the Department of Health and guides all health activities in Australia.

Look at the implications of research and what that may mean to services on the ground.
Look at areas where there are known gaps
Look at past and present researched responses to ensure gaps within the primary health care sector being addressed accordingly

Ensure research outcomes are applied within an Aboriginal context encompassing self-management and self-determination within a holistic health framework.

Resources

Contact

For further information on Aboriginal Health, please contact the team.

Jessica Scott

Manager - Aboriginal Health

(08) 8565 8909

Anthea Kemp

Assistant Manager

(08) 8821 6708

Quality improvement

Efficient, effective & coordinated health care

Improve Effectiveness

Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes.

Improve Coordination

Improving coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

The clinical audit tools

Measure ongoing improvement activities

Get Started

CAT PLUS - Clinical Audit Tool CAT 4

The Clinical Audit Tool (CAT) suite of products, comprising CAT 4 and Cleansing CAT is a data extraction tool created by Pen Computer Systems Pty Ltd. When used effectively, CAT scrutinizes the practice’s aggregated patient information and presents it in an easy-to-understand graphical format.

The data analysis functions can be customised to suit practice needs, filtering by demographics, conditions and medications, allowing practices to target patients with particular needs or specific health risk profiles. CAT is compatible with the majority of clinical desktop software.

Cleansing CAT

The Cleansing CAT module allows the easy identification of critical missing patient data by providing a set of predefined reports. These reports provide data that would otherwise require multiple filter selections and recalculation.

The reports available allow for identification of: missing demographic data missing clinical / accreditation data indicated Chronic Kidney Disease where no diagnosis is recorded indicated Diabetes where no diagnosis is recorded medication review for Diabetes with elevated HbA1c indicated Mental Health where no diagnosis is recorded indicated COPD where no diagnosis is recorded indicated Osteoporosis where no diagnosis is recorded Pen CS wishes to acknowledge the ideas and commitment to continually improving primary health care provided by Judy Evans, Manager e-health, RACGP in this project.

Access to the Practice Aggregation Tool (PAT CAT)

The PAT CAT function supports the collection of data from General Practices. This can then be aggregated by region. General Practice will receive a login, which enables them to view their data set against their aggregated regional group and all against all of the South Australian General Practice aggregated data.

Topbar Clinical System Support Tool

The Topbar supports the individual consult with applications to identify missing data fields, prompt for MBS items and a Patient health summary overview. There is also a waiting room application which can prompt Reception staff to complete missing demographic information.

Best Practice Disease Management

A way of measuring systematic improvement processes.

Clinical data insights

Availability and use of ‘clean’ data, i.e. data fit for sharing.
Consistent coding of clinical information and recording information in the correct places.
Effective implementation and maintenance of registers.
Proactive call and recall systems.

Regular monitoring, review and update of systems.
Encouraging a whole of practice approach to use of these systems.
Implementing practice wide agreements on common coding and recording.

Need some support?

For more information on our Clinical Audit Tools please contact us.

coosterbroek@countrysaphn.com.au

Frequently asked questions

Measure ongoing improvement activities

What are the benefits to my practice?

Immediate potential benefits of using these tools in your practice may include:

Enhanced quality and safety
Efficient management of your patient population
Effective identification and monitoring of high risk patients or specific target groups
Demonstration of improved patient outcomes
Encouragement for pro-active health care and preventive and early intervention activities
Assistance in meeting accreditation standards and practice incentive payment (PIP) requirements such as the eHealth PIP
Better quality practice data (i.e. completeness of practices clinical data will be improved)
Easy identification of previously unseen gaps and opportunities for improvement
Ability to monitor and track change over time demonstrating systematic quality improvement initiatives within the practice Data quality tools may be most effective when used within a systematic quality improvement approach, working as an adjunct to the clinical software, from which they create clinical extracts for in-practice analysis.

How do data extraction tools work?

Data extraction tools create a data extract that represents a snapshot of your clinical data at that point in time. Practice staff can use the data extract file at any time, without further reference to your clinical software, and it allows you to view and export (into Excel) registers or lists of identified patients.

What commitment is required by my practice?

Training
Country SA PHN staff will provide training that includes data interpretation and opportunities for improved patient outcomes. This training may be supplied via a number of mechanisms e.g. telephone support, computer-based training or on-site.

Time and resources
To get the best out of the extraction tools we suggest at least one general practitioner, nurse or practice manager, spends some time each week or month reviewing the extracted data. This could become part of your regular practice review process and the content could be presented at staff meetings to take advantage of the availability of such data.

Quarterly data share (optional)
A de-identified data extract to be sent to Country SA PHN on a quarterly basis. This is optional and will be subject to a separate Data Sharing Agreement should you agree to participate. Access to the tools is not conditional on your participation in data sharing.

How do I send data to Country SA PHN?

CAT4 has an optional function to send de-identified encrypted data sets securely to CSAPHN, via practice-initiated FTP upload direct to Country SA PHN’s server, and can only be sent with practice consent each time this function is utilised. No data leaves the practice without the practice’s initiation, knowledge and consent. No identified patient data leaves the practice with any of the data quality tools provided by CSAPHN.

Commonwealth Funded

Improving health & social outcomes

The Drug and Alcohol Program provides Commonwealth funding for drug and alcohol related activities and aims to achieve improved health and social outcomes for individuals, families, and communities at risk of, or currently affected by, substance misuse in Australia.

Country SA PHN commissions a diverse range of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment services and activities across regional, rural and remote South Australia.

Chloe Oosterbroek

Project and Research Officer

08 8644 4910

Goals underpinning our services

Providing support for those at risk of substance misuse

Building capacity for reducing and treating illicit drug use
Using evidence-based models of good practice to achieve improved quality of life and reduced drug use
Supporting region specific, cross-sectoral, and integrated approaches to drug and alcohol treatment
Improving physiological, psychological and social functioning for individuals undergoing AOD treatment
Facilitating flexible and stepped care models tailored to individual need and stage of change
Promote linkages with broader health and support services, including mental health services, to better support integrated/ coordinated treatment and referral pathways to support clients with comorbid mental health disorders

Ensure targeted and culturally appropriate drug and alcohol treatment services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which link to broader Indigenous health services; and
Promote quality improvement approaches and support primary health professionals and specialists through education and training.

Funding

The Country SA PHN AOD portfolio is comprised of two funding streams

The National Ice Action Strategy

The NIAS was established in 2015 in response to increased rates of Ice use and drug related harm.

The initiative aims to reduce the prevalence of use in addition to providing early intervention and treatment options and further access to AOD services.

Non-Government Organisation treatment grants program

NGOTGP was established in 1997 as a result of the Australian Government’s commitment to improving options for those seeking treatment for their substance abuse.

The funding aims to strengthen the capacity of non-government drug and alcohol organisations to achieve improved service outcomes and to increase the prevalence of treatment opportunities.

Activity Work Plan

Download PDF

Service Providers

Baptist Care SA - Tumbelin

Youth AOD Services

Services

School based services
Youth intensive interventions
Family coaching
Motivational Counselling
Adventure Therapy
Peer Support
Self-awareness/Education

Objective

Increase access to drug and alcohol treatment services and reduce drug related harm for individuals, families and communities targeting 13 to 18-year olds.

Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges, Limestone Coast and Riverland

baptistcaresa.org.au

DrugARM

AOD Services

Services

Counselling Interventions
High Intensity non-residential rehabilitation
Smart recovery group sessions

Objective

Improve the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment services for individuals requiring support and treatment particularly for methamphetamine use

Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island

drugarm.com.au

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service

Aboriginal AOD services

Services

Counselling Interventions
Support and upskilling
Early Intervention/prevention
Case Management

Objective

Assisting communities with an integrated package of individual client counselling, treatment and referral, staff upskilling group sessions and education, and community events.

Increase access to Alcohol and Other Drugs treatment services and reduce drug related harm for Indigenous Australians and their communities in the Outback

Outback

uths.com.au

Sonder

AOD Services

Services

Counselling Interventions
Staff training and upskilling
Care Coordination
GP education

Objective

Increase access to drug and alcohol treatment services and reduce drug related harm

Barossa and Gawler

sonder.net.au

FocusOne Health

AOD Services

Services

Counselling Interventions
Withdrawal Management
Care planning and brief Interventions

Objective

Improve the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment services for individuals requiring support and treatment particularly for methamphetamine use

Limestone Coast and Riverland

focusonehealth.com.au

Life Without Barriers

AOD Services

Services

Counselling Interventions
Early Intervention/prevention
Case Management

Objective

Increase access to drug and alcohol treatment services and reduce drug related harm for Indigenous Australians, and their communities

Far West

lwb.org.au

Pangula Mannamurna

Aboriginal AOD services

Services

Counselling Interventions
Comorbidity counselling
Case Management

Objective

To deliver Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs prevention and treatment services to Indigenous people

Limestone Coast

pangula.org.au

Moorundi Aboriginal Community Health Service

Youth AOD services

Services

Counselling Interventions
Comorbidity counselling
Case Management

Objective

To deliver Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs prevention and treatment services to Indigenous people

Murray Bridge

moorundi.org.au

West Coast Youth & Community Support

Youth AOD Services

Services

Early Intervention
Withdrawal Management
Care planning and coordination

Objective

Improve the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment services for individuals requiring support and treatment, by increasing coordination between various sectors and improving sector efficiency.

Port Lincoln

wcycs.com.au

Country and Outback Health

Youth AOD Services

Services

Counselling intervention
Community education and workshops
GP education
Staff training and upskilling

Objective

Increase access to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment services in the Eyre – Flinders region and York – Northern Region. Improve the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment services for individuals requiring support and treatment particularly for methamphetamine use, by increasing coordination between various sectors and improving sector efficiency.

Port Augusta

cobh.com.au

Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council SA

Aboriginal AOD Services

Services

Counselling intervention
Treatment service
Prevention and early intervention

Objective

Delivery of the Makin' Tracks Drug and Alcohol program across Rural and Remote South Australia.

Rural & Remote South Australia

adac.org.au

Aboriginal Sobriety Group

Aboriginal AOD Services

Services

Early intervention/prevention
Treatment services
Counselling Interventions

Objective

Increase early intervention/prevention to at risk clients through access to drug and alcohol counselling within the Riverland region.

Riverland

asg.org.au

Helpful Links

Call one of the services below

For information about all alcohol and other drug treatment and support services in South Australia visit the websites below.

Know Your Options

1300 131 340

This website provides individuals, families and health professionals with a directory of services and information about treatment options and selecting a service.

SANDAS

(08) 8231 8818

South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services (SANDAS)- providing independent, state-wide representation, advocacy and support for non-government organisations working in the alcohol and other drug sector

DASSA

1300 131 340

Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) provides statewide alcohol and other drug treatment services.

Australian Drug Foundation

1300 858 584

Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) an independent, not for profit organisation working to prevent alcohol and drug problems in communities

Latest COVID Updates

Find out the most up to date info on coronavirus

For up-to-date information on the number of cases and geographical locations visit the World Health Organisation and the John Hopkins University online tracking dashboard page.

Country SA PHN will continue to work with the Commonwealth Department of Health and SA Health to relay relevant information to primary health care providers and provide support as required.

Government Guidelines

Up to date Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for the general public.

Health Professional Updates

Delivering high quality care and safety to patients

Country SA PHN will continue to work with the Commonwealth Department of Health and SA Health to relay relevant information to primary health care providers and provide support as required.

Australian Department Of Health COVID-19 Updates

New variants of SARS-CoV-2 and implications for infection prevention and control practices
COVID-19 vaccine information in your language
COVID-19 vaccine aged care stakeholder kit
COVID-19 vaccine rollout for regional, rural and remote Australians
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine information campaign begins
COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out Frequently Asked Questions
AHPPC statement on COVID-19 and influenza vaccination requirements for aged care workers. A statement from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on COVID-19 and influenza vaccination requirements for aged care workers. View media release here

COVID-19 Vaccination update - Announcement from the Prime Minister, roll out of COVID-19 vaccine to commence February 2021. The COVID-19 National vaccination strategy can be found here
National Contact Tracing Review
Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Further guidance on Infection Prevention and Control lead requirements
Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG) statement on transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Aged Care Royal Commission COVID-19 report
AHPPC statement on boarding students and students living in border zones
Commonwealth government announces extension of Medicare-subsidised telehealth
Listing areas of COVID-19 local transmission as hotspots for the purpose of provision of Commonwealth support
For More Media

COVID-19 Vaccine

Government of South Australia Updates

SA Health Alerts

COVID-19 exposure locations - New COVID-19 public exposure locations have been identified in Victoria and New South Wales. Please continue to monitor the SA Health website for the latest information and advice at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidcontacttracing.
Contact Tracing Alert - Visit the Contact Tracing page for more information.
COVID-19 Testing Sites - SA Health are working hard to extend operating hours and capacity at our COVID testing sites. If people were unable to get tested today but have symptoms, please visit a testing site tomorrow. For a list of sites visit and other testing information visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidtesting.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Update #25
Previous Health Alerts

SA Health Updates For GPs

COVID-19 testing site update - The Yamba and Bordertown COVID-19 Mobile Testing Clinics will be closing permanently at close of business Sunday 28 February. More information and alternative testing options is available at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDtesting.
New COVID-19 public exposure locations have been identified in Victoria and New South Wales. Please continue to monitor the SA Health website for the latest information and advice at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidcontacttracing.
Quick read COVID-19 resources SA Health's quick read resources contain important information about COVID-19 in an easy to read format.
Bushfires and COVID-19:
People who are in self-quarantine or self-isolation due to COVID-19 can leave their home in the event of an emergency or if their home is unsafe. It is important people try to get back home as soon as you can safely. During an emergency, if someone in self-quarantine needs to attend an emergency relief centre or a Bushfire Last Resort Refuge, they should stay outside, alert emergency services (e.g. SAPOL, relief authorities at the location) and follow instructions. They should advise emergency services that they have left self-quarantine due to COVID-19.
SA Health COVID-19 Updates

CSAPHN COVID-19 Updates

GP Led Respiratory Clinics

Commonwealth funded respiratory clinics, supported by
Country SA PHN, have been established at six sites across country SA.

The Australian Government has established GP Led Respiratory Clinics around the country to support the assessment, testing and diagnosis of community members experiencing mild to moderate respiratory symptoms. Commonwealth funded respiratory clinics, supported by CSAPHN, are being established at six sites across country SA.

No referral is required
Community members experiencing respiratory symptoms can book online or over the phone
GP-led clinics provide clinical assessment and diagnosis, and provide onsite COVID-19 testing (where test criteria is met)
All services are provided at no cost to the patient

Find out below if there is a GP respiratory clinic in your region and how to book an appointment.

Mid North

Respiratory Clinic

41 Old North Road,

Clare SA 5453

(08) 8841 3777

Murray Bridge

Respiratory Clinic

8 Homburg Drive

Murray Bridge SA 5253

(08) 8539 3292

Angaston

Respiratory Clinic

3-7 Fife Street,

Angaston SA 5353

(08) 8564 2266

Yorke Peninsula

Respiratory Clinic

77-79 Copper Coast Highway,

New Town SA 5554

(08) 8828 4700

Naracoorte

Respiratory Clinic

101 Jenkins Terrace,

Naracoorte SA 5271

(08) 8762 7700

Pika Wiya

Respiratory Clinic

40-46 Dartmouth Street,

Port Augusta SA 5700

0428 149 036

Australia's COVID-19 Vaccine Roadmap

COVID-19 vaccines rollout to
priority groups

Priority Groups

The Australian Government is expecting approval of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by the end of this month, with a rollout to priority groups beginning mid-February. In addition to being able to administer the vaccine when available, healthcare professionals will also be able to receive the vaccine in the following rollout phases:

Phase 1a

Frontline at-risk health care workers including staff in GP respiratory clinics and COVID-19testing facilities, ambulance staff, paramedics, ICU and emergency department staff andclinical and ancillary support staff
Residential aged care and disability care staff
Residential aged care and disability care residents
Quarantine and border workers

Phase 1b

Adults over 70 years
All other health care workers
Begin to vaccinate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Younger adults with an underlying medical condition, including those with a disability
Critical and high risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing.

Approved COVID-19 vaccine

On Monday, 25 January the Government announced provisional approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia for people 16 years of age and over. Two doses will be required, administered at least 21 days apart.

The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be used initially during the Phase 1a rollout. These vaccine doses will be distributed through 30 to 50 key hospital hubs across urban and rural Australia to priority group 1a.

On Tuesday, 16 February the Government announced provisional approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia for people 18 years and older. Two doses will be required, administered from 4 to 12 weeks apart.

Both vaccines will progressively be distributed through an expanded number of sites, including general practice clinics, existing Commonwealth GP respiratory clinics, state-run vaccination clinics and pharmacies.

Distribution to residential aged care and disability care facilities will be done through a Commonwealth vaccination workforce in-reach program.

COVID-19 vaccines will be free for everyone living in Australia and the Government has made it clear that COVID-19 vaccination will be voluntary – but it is strongly encouraged. More information about training for health professionals will be available in the coming weeks that will cover vaccine specific information, multi-dose vials, infection control, wastage, and adverse event reporting.

More Information

More information about the approved COVID-19 vaccine approach is outlined in:

The Department of Health developed a new vaccine website this website is regularly being updated with more information as it becomes available. Information will also be available in 63 languages.

Subscribe to the COVID-19 vaccines updates to ensure you receive the latest updates available on the website.

Surge workforce

The Australian Government has appointed Aspen Medical, Healthcare Australia, International SOS, and Sonic Clinical Services to supplement the existing immunisation workforce for Phase 1a rollout as required. This surge workforce will help provide immunisations.

COVID-19 vaccine training

The Australian College of Nursing has been appointed to lead the development of the mandatory training materials for COVID-19 immunisation providers. Healthcare professionals will not be able to administer any COVID-19 vaccines without having first completed the training modules.

Vaccination for aged care workers

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination. But at this time AHPPC does not recommend mandating COVID-19 vaccination for the aged care workforce at this stage. For more information on the AHPPC decision visit the Department of Health website.

Mask Distribution

Supporting your practice

With the emergence of COVID-19 across many countries, there is a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical masks and P2/N95 respirators.

As a first step in releasing PPE from the National Medical Stockpile, the Australian Government has provided a limited supply of surgical masks and P2/N95 respirators for general practices (including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services) and community pharmacies with a demonstrated need.

Surgical masks supplied in tranche are intended to be provided to general practices and, when no local commercial supply is available, allied health and community pharmacies:

For the protection of health professionals and practice/pharmacy staff in direct contact with people presenting with fever and/or respiratory symptoms including cough, sore throat and/or shortness of breath
For provision to people who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, for the protection of other patients and staff, and of the public while the patient returns home.

There is no need for the general public or health workers to wear masks unless they are dealing with symptomatic patients. Further guidance on the use of surgical masks can be found at: Department of Health information on the use of surgical masks

CSAPHN Helpline

For any questions please contact our helpline on 1800 272 746.

Guidelines for Distribution

With the emergence of COVID-19 across many countries, there is a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical masks and P2/N95 respirators. As a first step in releasing PPE from the National Medical Stockpile, the Australian Government has provided a limited supply of surgical masks and P2/N95 respirators for general practices (including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services) and community pharmacies with a demonstrated need.

See the Department of Health Guideline for Distribution of PPE through PHNs for full details.

Any queries regarding masks are to be directed to:

covid19@countrysaphn.com.au
1800 272 746 (1800 CSAPHN).

Mask Request Form

Country SA PHN general practices, pharmacies and allied health practices can request masks by completing the Surgical Mask Request Form.

As there is a limited supply, a default allocation of 50 masks will be sent per request. If a larger allocation is required, please provide additional information to support the request in the comments section of the form.

Complete the form here

Links

Australian Government - Department of Health

SA Health

SA Pathology

COVID-19 Information Page

Resources

SA Pathology

Changes to Respiratory Pathogen (RVP) Testing

Doctors Health SA

RACGP

RACGP's Coronavirus Page

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

PGA's Coronavirus Information Page and Mask Distribution Update

HealthPathways SA

Coronavirus Information page

HealthDirect

Healthdirect's Coronavirus Information Page
Healthdirect Helpline - P: 1800 022 222

Surgical Masks

Surgical masks supplied in tranche are intended to be provided to general practices and, when no local commercial supply is available, allied health and community pharmacies:

For the protection of health professionals and practice/pharmacy staff in direct contact with people presenting with fever and/or respiratory symptoms including cough, sore throat and/or shortness of breath
For provision to people who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, for the protection of other patients and staff, and of the public while the patient returns home.

There is no need for the general public or health workers to wear masks unless they are dealing with symptomatic patients. Further guidance on the use of surgical masks can be found at: Department of Health information on the use of surgical masks

Eligibility to access protective masks

PHNs have been given the role of distributing surgical masks

Community pharmacies

Community pharmacies are eligible to access the supply for the use of their staff when there is no available commercial supply and they have significant contact with people presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms. Masks distributed through PHNs cannot be sold as commercial stock.

Anecdotal reports have suggested that NMS stock is being sold. If CSAPHN is aware that anyone is selling NMS stocks, provision of masks to this pharmacy will be ceased and cost recovery sought.

Allied health

Allied health professionals are now eligible for limited access to the supply of surgical masks for the use of their staff when there is no available commercial supply and they are working in higher-risk clinical areas, and with higher risk vulnerable patients.

Given the diverse nature of the allied health sector, when determining whether allocation of masks is appropriate, PHNs have been asked to consider:

The likelihood of the worker having direct or close contact with high-risk patients who are presenting with fever and/or respiratory symptoms. For example: a respiratory physiotherapist working with patients with cough, sore throat and/or shortness of breath, as compared to an exercise physiologist who is likely to be working with well individuals.
The extent to which the allied health professional can manipulate their environment or practice method to reduce the chance of transmission. For example: due to the nature of their work, a diagnostic radiographer cannot easily change their mode of practise or environment, whereas a dietitian or psychologist may be able to continue to provide services through telehealth.
The relative vulnerability of the patients that the allied health professionals are treating. For example: where the allied health professional is routinely treating patients who are immunocompromised, or those who are elderly or disabled.

There remains an assumption that allied health professions will, where possible, not see patients with respiratory symptoms or at a higher risk of COVID-19 unless required to as part of their core business (for example: an optometrist can defer seeing a patient with respiratory symptoms until that person is well).

Quantity limits

GP Respiratory Clinics, General practices and ACCHOs: two boxes (100 masks) for each clinic within the practice.
After-hours GP home visiting services : one box (50 masks) per practice/service

Community pharmacy: one box (50 masks) per community pharmacy
Allied Health: one box (50 masks) per practice

Accessing Surgical Masks - Detmold

Discounts for surgical masks

Detmold have been in contact with Country SA PHN today and confirmed they can support the health care industry seeking to purchase locally manufactured surgical masks with discount codes to reduce the cost per unit.

Code word: Medical - Enter the promo code at the checkout when purchasing the bulk pack of 960 – to bring the price to $0.96 +GST per mask, inclusive of freight)
Code word: Medicalretail - Enter the promo code at the checkout when purchasing the retail pack of 40 - to bring the price to $0.96 +GST per mask, inclusive of freight)

Detmold Website

Visit the Detmold website and use the discount codes to purchase your mask.

P2/N95 Respirators

Safe specimen collection in general practice

Primary care procedures

As part of the continued response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department of Health supplied PHNs with a very small allocation of P2/N95 respirators.

For routine primary care procedures, including specimen collection, surgical masks are considered to be effective when specimen collection is undertaken they should be worn with other PPE as appropriate (gown, gloves and eye protection). P2/N95 respirators are only required for aerosol generating procedures or where there is uncontrolled coughing.

See the relevant factsheet. If GPs are unable to undertake appropriate contact and droplet precautions for clinical assessment and specimen collection from patients with suspected COVID-19 through lack of appropriate PPE, they should refer cases to appropriate collection centres or Emergency Departments. See SA Health: Information for health professionals for more information.

Eligibility to access

Distribution of P2/N95 respirators is limited to general practices, including ACCHOs, who need to assess suspected COVID-19 cases because of the unavailability of nearby dedicated respiratory clinics or Emergency Departments.

Such practices need to have isolation facilities and other appropriate infrastructure, staff competent in use of PPE, and a pandemic plan. P2/N95 respirators should only be used with other PPE (gowns, gloves and eye protection).

P2 Mask Request Form

Complete your online request form.

Mask Request Form

Resources & Useful Links

Need support? Contact our Support Team

General

General Practice

Pharmacy

Aged Care

Aboriginal Health

Nurses

Support for Nurses

NM Australia's Nurse and Midwife National Support Line - P: 1800 667 877 (24/7)
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) - COVID-19 Updates

COVID SAfe Check-In

Enhance contact tracing and keep our community COVID safe

The South Australian Government is introducing COVID SAfe Check-In, to enhance contact tracing and keep our community COVID safe. If someone in South Australia tests positive to COVID-19, the COVID SAfe Check-In enables SA Health to quickly contact others who may have been exposed to the virus and stop the spread of COVID-19.

COVID SAfe Check-In is a new feature that has been added to the free mySA GOV app. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.

If you already have the mySA GOV app, make sure you have the latest version, which may require you to download the app update.

Businesses with a COVID Safe Plan will receive a new COVID Safe Plan via email that includes a poster with a unique QR code. This should be printed and displayed in a prominent location within the business.

COVID SAfe Check-In

Download the COVID SAfe Check-In App

COVIDSafe App

Improve the quality of healthcare delivered to practice patients

A model for improvement

The new COVIDSafe app is completely voluntary. Downloading the app is something you can do to protect you, your family and friends and save the lives of other Australians. The more Australians connect to the COVIDSafe app, the quicker we can find the virus. Download from Apple Store or Google Play .

Google Play

Apple Store

Telehealth

Supporting practices with the implementation of telehealth

Two platforms

CSAPHN are providing access to two telehealth platforms:

Health Connections Video for communication between general practice, CSAPHN and SA Health providers
HealthDirect Video call for provider to patient telehealth services.

CSAPHN can provide support with registration, implementation and training.

Register your practice

Register your interest by contacting Country SA PHN

Register

Resources

Telehealth Items Guide, which was developed to support health professionals understand the requirements associated with Telehealth items and their appropriate use.
Prescriptions via telehealth – state and territory rules
Privacy Checklist for Telehealth Services
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Telehealth and consultations in GP respiratory clinics

Webinars

Further Resources

Need support? Contact our Support Team

National Clinical Guidelines for COVID-19

World-first 'living guidelines' for Australian healthcare professionals caring for people with COVID-19 have been launched by the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce.

12/11/20: Weekly Communique from the National Steering Committee

Reporting COVID-19 Suspected Breaches of Quarantine and Isolation in SA

To report a suspected breach of quarantine or isolation orders, community are directed to contact:

SA Police on 131 444
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to complete an anonymous online report at crimestopperssa.com.au

COVID-19 Newsletter subscriptions

South Australian COVID-19 Gateway

A COVID-19 Gateway, linking to relevant information on State and Federal government websites, has been established: https://www.sa.gov.au/covid-19

SA Pathology Priority Bulletins

Online Training

Webinars

COVID Support Lines

Call one of the services below

Please see our helpful resources below. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to support@countrysaphn.com.au.

National Coronavirus helpline

1800 020 080

Provides information and advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) from an Australia wide perspective.

SA COVID-19 Information Line

1800 253 787

Offers local information and advice on general COVID-19 information for South Australians. Operates from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm every day.

SA COVID-19 Information Line

1300 232 272

Provides information on immunisations from medical officers.

COVID-19 Relief Call Centre

1800 198 586

Provides assistance with such things as personal hardship support, accommodation support for people unable to achieve self-quarantining and accommodation for emergency services.

Services Australia

136 240

Services Australia delivers government payments and services.

BeyondBlue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

1800 512 348

Find information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time.

Skylight COVID-19 Mental Health Peer Support Line and Web Chat

1800 022 020

This service will be available from 5:00pm to 11:30pm, 7 days per week.

View Resource

COVID-19 Mental Health Support Web Portal

1800 632 753

Virtual Support Network is a network of specialist services based locally in South Australia.

COVID Hardship Support Hotline

1300 121 130

Check eligibility and apply for a Household Relief Loan Without Interest

The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line

1800 171 866

Available Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30am to 6.00pm (AEST).

Life in Mind

02 4924 6900

Coronavirus (COVID-19) mental health to support the community during this period. Life in Mind at Everymind has worked with the suicide prevention and mental health sectors.

Head to Health

1300 659 467

COVID-19 Mental Health support

State-wide Palliative Care Support Line

1800 673 122

12 month trial of a 24/7 support line has been established to provide assistance to GPs, palliative care teams, and medical and nursing staff.

COVID-19 Health Professionals National Disability Advisory Service

1800 131 330

Provides specialised advice regarding the care of a person with disability diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Friend Line telephone support service

1800 424 287

Offers a free and anonymous telephone service that provides senior Australians with the opportunity to chat with a volunteer. The services is available 24/7 between 10.00am and 8.00pm.

SA Health Mental Health Support Line

1800 632 753

For mental health support by phone and video in relation to COVID-19, contact the SA COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line by calling 1800 632 753, available 8.00am to 8.00pm, 7 days a week.