Strategic Engagement - August 2026

Bridget Kennelly, our Manager Community Collaborations reports on the following activity being undertaken with the CSAPHN Community Advisory Committees.

Bridget travelled over to beautiful Port Lincoln on 22 June to join the meeting of the Lower Eyre Local Health Cluster. Country SA PHN’s Rural Health Innovation Fund coordinator, Susan Brown, joined online, and gave a great background of the fund and how the Committee can play an active role in promotion and referral for further information. A recipient of RHIF Round 3 was present and able to speak first-hand of the success of their program ‘The Mentally Fit EP Grief and Loss Group’, run by West Coast Youth and Community Support, and the incredible impact it has had within the EP community. Centacare Catholic Country SA reported that they have recruited a wellbeing practitioner, based in Lincoln Medical Centre for their 'Clinic Connect' pilot program. This program, funded by CSAPHN uses social prescribing as a method for improving health outcomes. The Committee also discussed Everymind’s ‘Minds Together’ program, which provides support and information to family, friends and carers of people who experience suicidal crisis.

Bridget attended Yankalilla on the 14 July, for the Fleurieu Region Community Services Advisory Committee. As a Community Advisory Committee of Country SA PHN, the Committee endorsed a 26/27 Health Promotions Grant to be delivered later in the year. The Committee expressed concerns around limited public transport contributing to poor health outcomes and discussed strategies to advocate for this. Bridget presented the committee with background information on pilot programs being implemented in the Country SA region and informed how local data is used in commissioning services.

For any enquiries around Country SA PHN’s Community Advisory Committees, please reach out to Manager Community Collaborations at [email protected].