Connect November 2023 | An Adelaide PHN Publication

November 2023

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November 2023

Connect A Message from Michelle McKay

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Adelaide PHN Events

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Commissioning Updates

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Endometriosis Clinic Announced

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Medicare UCCs Open

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Celebrating Milestones at Safe Haven

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An Update from HealthPathways SA

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2022-23 Annual Report Launched

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AOD Resources for CALD Communities

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Meet our Community Advisory Council

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Compassionate Community Conversation

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Digital Health

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Practice Support

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Primary Health Care in Action

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Adelaide PHN Level 1, 22 Henley Beach Road Mile End SA 5031 PO Box 313, Torrensville Plaza SA 5031 08 8219 5900 enquiry@adelaidephn.com.au adelaidephn.com.au Cover Photo Adelaide CBD

We acknowledge the Kaurna peoples who are the Traditional Custodians of the Adelaide region.

We pay tribute to their physical and spiritual connection to land, waters and community, enduring now as it has been throughout time. We pay respect to them, their culture and to Elders past and present. We would also like to acknowledge and pay our respects to those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from other Nations who live, work, travel and contribute on Kaurna Country.

Marni Naa Pudni “Welcome”

Connect November 2023

A Message from Michelle McKay Welcome to the last edition of Connect for 2023!

us understand the pulse of our community.

As 2023 concludes, we reflect upon the remarkable achievements from the past quarter.

I am delighted to note that two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are now open to serve our communities with urgent, non-life threatening conditions. Two others, one in Adelaide Central and the other in Outer Southern Adelaide metro region are expected to commence in December.

We continued to commission a number of programs, strengthen our partnerships, and launch our Reconciliation Action Plan, and Annual Report in this period.

Our 2022-23 Annual Report recaps our significant contributions in the last financial year and is now available on our website. Please browse through the pages to read about the significant impact we’ve made to primary health care this year.

As change is always inevitable, we farewelled two Board Directors Rick Albertini and Fiona Raschella.

Thank you Rick and Fiona for your contributions. I also take this opportunity to welcome our two new Board Directors, Linda Abrams-South and Claudia Goldsmith. Claudia will be our new Finance, Audit and Risk Chair occupying the role left vacant

by Rick’s departure. I look forward to working with Claudia, Linda and the rest of the Board as we forge ahead into 2024.

During this time, we also welcomed new Council Chairs and members for our Advisory Councils. Thank you for your guidance with our program design and services and helping

Please also remember to be safe and healthy during the festive season. Flip over this page to see what is available in metro Adelaide.

My sincere thanks to our expert staff, Board, council groups and stakeholders for the work that you have done and continue to do. With your support, we will continue to address population health needs and improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of our community.

We wish you all happy holidays and look forward to continue working with you in 2024.

Michelle McKay CEO

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Events An update on the events, conferences and forums that Adelaide PHN attended.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: Adelaide PHN Chair of Board, Tom Symonds launching our second Innovate RAP.

Reconciliation Action Plan Launch We launched our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and unveiled our newly commissioned art piece to an audience comprising valuable stakeholders on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

“Our second Innovate RAP builds upon that of our first and openly reflects on the lessons learned and identifies opportunities to renew and extend our commitment to reconciliation.

Our formal commitment to reconciliation began with the launch of our first Innovate RAP in 2020 and we proudly continue this journey via the launch of our second Innovate plan.

It is the next building block to driving sustainable change to ensure cultural inclusion, fairness, and recognition is realised across all our activities,” Adelaide PHN Chair of Board, Tom Symonds said at the launch.

The Innovate RAP reflects our commitment to meaningful and respectful engagement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and strengthening and establishing new partnerships.

To develop the Innovate RAP, Adelaide PHN’s Reconciliation Working Group worked collaboratively with the Aboriginal Community Advisory Council and sought guidance and recommendations.

This helped us identify initiatives for improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Through the second Innovate RAP, we will: •

Guide our programs, services, and partnerships to enable Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to achieve their best health outcome.

•

Plan our journey to become a culturally safe and competent organisation.

•

Strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leaders and organisations.

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The artwork The artwork, created by Ngarrindjeri artist, Jordan Lovegrove, represents the organisation and its service to the surrounding communities.

It depicts the partners, connection to land, partnerships with the service providers, and community, and equal opportunity for positive health outcomes. It symbolises the organisation coming together to achieve a reconciled Australia.

The large central meeting place is Adelaide PHN with the River Torrens running through representing the location.

The smaller meeting places with pathways connecting them are the different health services and partners servicing the local communities depicted by the

patterned backgrounds on the outside.

The boomerangs represent Adelaide PHN working with service providers and community to achieve equity of opportunity for positive health outcomes. The pathway going through the artwork is the waterways and the journey into the central meeting place.

The footprints represent Adelaide PHN, service providers and community coming together to achieve a reconciled Australia where culture is restored to a place of equity, dignity, and respect.

The road ahead While we have made considerable progress since our first Innovate RAP, we still have a long journey ahead.

Some of our key achievements from our previous RAP include the appointment of an Aboriginal Health Lead, a dedicated position that guides us in the program design and provision of cultural training to our staff.

Other initiatives include co-funding an Aboriginal Internship Program providing first-year doctors with a strong understanding of Aboriginal health, increased formal and informal partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations, and provision of Kaurna Language Workshops for staff.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey, and we will to continue working together with our partners to develop programs that help deliver health equity.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: Adelaide PHN Reconciliation Working Group with Deputy CEO, Sarah Murray

Photo: Adelaide PHN Aboriginal Community Advisory Council member, Barunah Alick with Chair of Board, Tom Symonds

Photo: attendees on the day of launch

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Events at Adelaide PHN Suicide Prevention Day Morning Tea Adelaide PHN marked World Suicide Prevention Day with a morning tea and a talk from Philip Chabrel, Team leader; Lived Experience at Life Without Barriers.

Philip is a lived experience mental health professional and community advocate. His words of hope and understanding reinforced the need for a collective approach to addressing suicide prevention.

World Suicide Prevention Day (on 10 September) is a day of global observance to honour the memories of those lost to suicide, those who have survived suicide attempts, and those who bear the weight of the grief that suicide brings.

Photo: Philip and Tina from Life Without Barriers with Adelaide PHN Regional Suicide Prevention Lead, Danielle Bacskai.

Learn more about this Day by visiting the Suicide Prevention Australia website.

Positive Ageing Expo On 4 October, Adelaide PHN attended Hutt St. Centre’s Positive Ageing Expo and interacted with many services assisting senior Australians and those experiencing homelessness.

Alongside discussing the Care Finder Program, we were among the many stallholders providing information on maintaining health, well-being, and independence.

Hutt St Centre is one of the 11 organisations providing the Care Finder Program in our region. The program supports care finders to offer one-to-one support to people navigating and accessing aged care.

Learn more about the Care Finder Program by visiting the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Photo: Adelaide PHN Contracts and Capacity Photo: Push-Up Challenge Building Coordinator, Lashya with Hutt St. Centre Care Finder Program Team Leader, Georgy Vella.

Adelaide PHN in Action

AEPP Forum On 18 and 19 October, Adelaide PHN Contracts and Capacity Building Coordinator, Kirsty Degabriele attended the Australian Early Psychosis Program (AEPP) Forum in Darwin along with Sonder’s headspace Early Psychosis Program team.

Orygen facilitates Australian Early Psychosis Program forums for key stakeholders involved in providing the headspace Early Psychosis Program, including staff from lead agencies and PHNs. The headspace Early Psychosis Program offers expert support for young people who are experiencing an early episode of psychosis or are at risk of developing psychosis

Photo: headspace Early Psychosis Program team (Sonder) with Kirsty Degabriele (Adelaide PHN)

Participants had opportunities to share, learn, and network over the two-day forum.

Carers Expo Adelaide PHN attended the Carers SA Expo in Lightsview on 17 October and engaged with carers and community members across the region.

We distributed information about our programs, including the Care Finder Program, Head to Health Phone Service, and HealthPathways SA. It was also an opportunity for us to engage with other health organisations and learn about their work.

To learn more about National Carers Week, please visit the National Carers Week website.

Photo: HealthPathways Lead, Veronica HunterRiviere with Integration Support, Officer Lisa Photo: Push-Up Challenge Filipenko.

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headspace Yarning Circle Grand Opening The recent opening of the headspace Yarning Circle at the Marion and Edinburgh sites is a great way to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander youth.

Attendees participated in Uncle Moogy Sumner’s smoking ceremony and enjoyed a barbecue lunch. The headspace staff and volunteers dedicated substantial effort to the Adelaide PHN-funded sites, ensuring that all plants in the garden were native and well-suited to the local environment.

We anticipate that the yarning circles will create a space for open discussions with Indigenous youth, incorporating the cultural significance of nature into their mental health care.

Photo: Uncle Moogy Sumner.

PHN Showcase It was an honour to be part of The Primary Health Network (PHN) Showcase and witness the incredible innovations that PHNs are introducing to reshape primary health care across Australia.

Our Integration Coordinator, Vatan, delivered a presentation on the Aboriginal Health Internship Partnership Project, a collaboration with Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and Watto Purrunna.

Photo (L-R): Tamira Pascoe (Executive Manager MHAOD and Procurement, Adelaide PHN), Tanya McGregor (Chief Aboriginal Health Officer, SA Health), Jay Rebbeck (CEO, Rebbeck) and Vatan Kotlia (Integration Coordinator, Adelaide PHN).

The project is an Australian-first initiative that helps early-career medical interns understand culturally appropriate health care and barriers to accessing health care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Learn more about this project here: https://bit.ly/463pORk.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: Adelaide PHN staff.

Happy Diwali!

Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, celebrates new beginnings - the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Adelaide PHN staff celebrated the festival with lights, diyas (traditional clay lamps), and a delicious spread of samosas, sweets, and other traditional treats.

The festival is celebrated over five days and is the biggest celebration for many communities, including the Indian diaspora.

Did you know?

Diwali, came from the Sanskrit word Deepavali which means “row of lights”.

Stories behind the celebration also vary between regions and the communities that observe them. But regardless, have a common theme - triumph of good over evil.

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Inclusive Employer Recognition

Adelaide PHN was recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2023-2024 by Diversity Council Australia (DCA).

We were assessed using the data from Inclusive Employer Index survey developed by DCA that measures employee diversity and inclusion experiences in the workplace .

Through the survey, we were able to demonstrate a higher level of inclusivity and dedication to diversity and inclusion compared to the average Australian workforce.

The survey measured: •

Inclusion and Exclusion.

•

Diversity Demographics.

•

Inclusion and Exclusion by Demographic.

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Impact of inclusion.

This achievement from DCA is a testament to our drive to create an inclusive workplace where ideas are recognised and all wins - big and small are celebrated.

We will continue to create programs that ensure health equity for everyone and aim to do so by empowering our staff to do their best.

To learn about the survey, please visit the Diversity Council Australia website.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Introduction to Understanding Racism Workshop

Photo: Shaun Childs delivering the workshop at Adelaide PHN.

Adelaide PHN engaged Reconciliation SA to provide three Introduction to Understanding Racism sessions over a threemonth period to educate staff on the importance of understanding racism.

The sessions, delivered by Shaun Childs from Reconciliation SA, were attended by around 100 staff.

The one-hour sessions helped them understand the five

dimensions of reconciliation and gain better awareness regarding anti-racism practices.

The feedback post sessions were positive and initiated conversations on truth telling.

Staff were highly engaged and found the workshops to be very impactful.

These workshops are one of the many ways we show our commitment to reconciliation and

form part of our regular cultural awareness training.

Learn more To learn more about the training, please visit the Reconciliation South Australia website.

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Meet our New Board Members Claudia Goldsmith: Board Director and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Claudia Goldsmith joins our Board as a Director and is the Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Claudia, a qualified accountant and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), has extensive experience in strategic financial management and governance, compliance and risk management.

An experienced Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Claudia is the current board member of SA Health’s Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Area Network, Rural Business Support Inc., and the Blind Welfare Foundation.

Claudia is also an independent audit committee member for two regional council subsidiaries and three regional councils across SA, Victoria and NT.

Linda Abrams-South: Board Director Linda joins the Board as a director and has extensive experience across Australia in strategic and operational leadership of large and complex organisations.

Linda has 20 years of board director experience in South Australia and Queensland, including at Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Northern Regional Development Board, Workskil Australia Inc., and Wide Bay Group Training Ltd. Linda is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for the most disadvantaged in our communities through partnerships, performance, and good governance.

Adelaide PHN looks forward to working with our new directors to develop and deliver health initiatives and improvements across our region.

You can learn more about our Board of Directors by visiting our website.

Adelaide PHN in Action

The Annual PRIDE March

Photo: PRIDE March 2023.

On 28 October, Adelaide PHN joined the LGBTIQA+ communities on the streets of Adelaide for the annual PRIDE March to celebrate queer identity, history, culture, diversity, solidarity, inclusiveness, and creativity.

raises not only the awareness and acceptance in society, but shows alliance in stopping the ongoing stigma, biases and discrimination that LGBTIQ+ community experience.”

Friends, families and LGBTIQA+ community members gathered at Light Square and marched together as one.

Adelaide PHN are dedicated in fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live and work and be themselves.

Our Rainbow Working Group member, Brendan stated “Adelaide PHN’s involvement in marching together

To learn more about the PRIDE March, please visit the Pride Adelaide website.

Did you know?

Adelaide’s first queer “Proud Parade” was held in 1973.

The modern Pride March Adelaide has been held yearly from 2003 to 2019.

In 2020 and 2021 the march could not be held due to COVID restrictions. The street march returned in 2022.

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Commissioning Updates Adelaide PHN receives funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to commission services which meet the health needs of the Adelaide metropolitan community. Below is a summary of our recent commissioning activity.

Head to Health Northern Centre •

Commissioned: Sonder has been contracted to establish and operate the Head to Health Northern Centre. The centre, in Elizabeth CBD is anticipated to be operational in early 2024. Funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments, this initiative will see the development of a community based mental health hub, improving access for the services in northern metropolitan Adelaide.

Targeted Regional Initiatives to Suicide Prevention (TRISP) Program •

Commissioning now: Contract negotiations are underway with the preferred providers of suicide prevention services under the TRISP Program.

establishment and operation of an Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain GP Clinic (GP clinic) in the Adelaide area.

Please visit the Adelaide PHN website to learn more about our commissioning services.

Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic •

Commissioning now: Contract negotiations are underway with the preferred provider for the

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCC) Commissioned: Four UCCs have been commissioned in the Adelaide metropolitan area. The UCCs provide timely care for our community for sprains, fractures, cuts, wounds, minor burns, infections, and illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTI) and gastroenteritis. The UCCs will help our community access timely health care for urgent, non-life-threatening conditions.

UCC Location

UCC Name

Opening Status

Outer Northern Adelaide Metro

Elizabeth Medical and Dental Centre

Open

Southern Adelaide Metro

Marion Domain Medical and Dental Centre Open

Adelaide Central

Old Port Road Medical and Dental Centre

Opens 4 December 2023

Outer Southern Adelaide Metro

Morphett Vale Family Practice

Opens 28 December 2023

Adelaide PHN in Action

Call Head to Health for a clearer tomorrow

1800 595 212

Connecting you to the mental health support that’s best for you.

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APSAD Annual Scientific Conference 2023 Photo: Allan Trifonoff with delegates at the conference.

the common goal of improving outcomes for people who use AOD. Key topics covered by Australian and international speakers during the conference included workforce, treatment interventions and treatment settings, new technologies and e-interventions, diverse populations, ageing Population and care.

The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) Conference was held in Adelaide from 12 to 15 November 2023.

The conference is an opportunity for networking and sharing ideas in a friendly and informal atmosphere with a cross-section of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) workers; practitioners, researchers, peer workers, consumers, and policymakers.

The conference also contributes to building capacity and capability in the AOD sector, by providing opportunities for engagement and

learnings from early to mid-career, and more experienced researchers and clinicians.

For the first time in a number of years, the conference was held in Adelaide and this year’s theme was Unity in Diversity. This theme refers to the great diversity in client groups accessing AOD services, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, refugees, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and the rainbow community. It also applies to crucial contributions of professionals from a range of backgrounds with

Adelaide PHN staff (Allan Trifonoff, AOD Manager; Wills Logue, Contracts and Capacity Building Coordinator; Deepak Dev, Contracts and Capacity Building Coordinator; Nathanial Motlap, Contracts and Capacity Building Coordinator) attended various plenary and concurrent sessions and workshops throughout the conference and also used it as an opportunity to learn about new treatment, research and policy initiatives and to establish new networks and stakeholder engagement.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Endometriosis Clinic Announced

Photo: Dr Alecia Macrow (Principal GP and Director - Thrive Family Practice), Belinda Gunasekaran, The Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Louise Miller-Frost MP and Adelaide PHN CEO Michelle McKay

Endometriosis affects at least one in nine Australian women and can have an extensive, devastating impact on the daily lives of those with the condition.

New research shows that one in two Australian women experience pelvic pain and half of those women do not discuss their symptoms with a doctor despite significant impacts on work or study.

As part of the Federal Government initiative of establishing endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country, Adelaide’s first clinic was announced by Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney at Thrive Family Practice in Glenelg on 3 September.

Ms Kearney said the clinics were vital for reducing the wait to receive a diagnosis for endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain.

The clinic will shorten diagnosis times and promote access to intervention, care and treatment With this announcement, the total number of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country has increased to 22.

Contract negotiations are underway with the clinic.

The clinic is located at 8890 Partridge Street, Glenelg and can be contacted via 8490 7810.

You can learn more about the service by visiting the Thrive Family Practice website.

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Medicare UCCs Open

COVID-19 Updates On 26 September, the Commonwealth announced the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCC) service providers across our region.

The sites announced were: 1.

2.

3.

Adelaide Central Location – Old Port Road Medical and Dental Centre (to be established as Western Medicare UCC) Southern Adelaide Metropolitan Location – Marion Domain Medical and Dental Centre (Marion Medicare UCC) Outer Northern Adelaide Metropolitan Location – Elizabeth Medical and Dental Centre (Elizabeth Medicare UCC)

Photo: Elizabeth Medicare UCC opening.

The fourth Medicare UCC, in the Outer Southern suburbs, was announced in November 2023.

Morphett Vale Family Practice will be established as the Morphett Vale Medicare UCC and is expected to start seeing patients in December this year.

Medicare UCCs Semi-urgent and urgent patients account for about 47% of ED presentations a year and are often forced to wait hours to be seen during busy times.

The Medicare UCCs are part of a national plan for more than 50 such centres to treat thousands of patients with non-life threatening

conditions who may otherwise seek treatment at EDs. They will be established in existing general practice clinics, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across Australia.

The Medicare UCCs will be open extended hours, seven days a week and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk‑billed.

No appointment is required and they will treat urgent, non-life threatening conditions such as sprains, broken bones, stitches for cuts, wound care, minor burns, insect bites and minor ear and eye problems.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: Marion Medicare UCC opening.

Elizabeth Medicare UCC On 23 October, the Elizabeth Medicare UCC opened its doors to the public at 30 Philip Hwy, Elizabeth.

It is expected to make a big difference to patients across the Outer Northern Adelaide area.

The clinic will help ease pressure on the Lyell McEwin Hospital, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies.

Marion Medicare UCC Marion Medicare UCC was the next to open on 6 November, operating at the Marion Domain Medical and Dental Centre.

As approximately 30% of presentations to the Flinders Medical

Centre are for non-urgent or semiurgent care, the opening of this clinic at 453 Morphett Rd, Oaklands Park is expected to help cope the pressure on the hospital.

Since their opening, the two UCCs have had almost 500 presentations.

Western Medicare UCC Western Medicare UCC will operate from Old Port Road Medical and Dental Centre and is expected to commence on Monday 4 December.

Morphett Vale Medicare UCC Morphett Vale Medicare UCC will be established at Doctors Road, Morphett Vale, and is expected to start seeing patients from Thursday 28 December.

It is expected that it will take pressure off Noarlunga Hospital where more than 45% of presentations are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.

You can learn more about the Medicare UCCs by visiting the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

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Celebrating Milestones at Safe Haven

Drop-in mental health service, Safe Haven Salisbury has reached a significant milestone with over 1,500 presentations to the service since its launch in November 2022.

As the numbers continue to rise, the positive impact of this peer-driven service on the wellbeing of its guests becomes increasingly evident, with individuals consistently reporting improved mental health

outcomes and feeling heard and included throughout their journey.

Impressively, more than 98% of guests have reported positive experiences overall.

Operating Tuesday to Friday, 5.00pm to 9.00pm, the service welcomes more than 15 presentations each evening, highlighting its vital role in improving mental health outcomes

for individuals in the Northern Adelaide region. Peer Practitioners, who have lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery, create a safe and inclusive environment for guests, free from judgment and stigma.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: Safe Haven Salisbury site.

Guests frequently express their gratitude for the excellent care received, often referring to Safe Haven as a cornerstone of their lives that provides them with strength and resilience to cope with life’s challenges.

One story that exemplifies the profound impact of Safe Haven Salisbury is that of a guest referred to the service by a Social Worker at the Lyell McEwin Short Stay Unit. Having grappled with alcohol dependence and self-harm for many years, upon visiting Safe Haven, they found themselves enveloped

in a supportive network of Peer Practitioners and fellow guests who offered unwavering encouragement.

Practitioners, all of which have been instrumental in their journey towards improved mental health.

They now visit every evening and have celebrated 110 days of abstinence from alcohol, along with significant improvements in their Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms and self-harming behaviours.

Safe Haven Salisbury’s 1,500th presentation is a testament to the invaluable support the service offers and the difference it makes in the lives of its guests.

The transformative power of Safe Haven, as described by this guest, lies in the connections forged with others, the validation of experiences, and the personalised one-on-one sessions with dedicated Peer

You can learn more about the service by visiting the Sonder website.

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An Update from HealthPathways SA Comprehensive Medical Assessment for Residential Aged Care Homes Pathway Now Live A Comprehensive Medical Assessment (CMA) provides a structured opportunity to plan and review the health, physical, and psychosocial wellbeing of people residing in aged care.

New residents are entitled to a comprehensive medical assessment on admission to a residential aged care home, then annually thereafter. In line with the RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book), the CMA pathway provides multidimensional guidance on identifying care needs and risks to intern guide timely care planning or interventions on matters of relevance to the resident.

Carers are at a higher health risk than the general population. Caring for another person over an extended period can be physically and emotionally exhausting. By recognising and responding to pressures, the general practice team can play an important role in preserving care arrangement and the relationship with care recipients.

“The new Comprehensive Medical Assessment for Residential Aged Care Homes Pathway contains helpful information for GPs, nurses, and RACH staff. Links are provided for checklists, Medicare information, assessment tools and important referral pathways. It highlights the

importance of using this medical assessment as an opportunity to review goals of care, formalise advance care planning, review medication management, and involve a multidisciplinary team to optimise health and well-being.”

Dr Anna Billington, GP Clinical Editor Please see below the links to the newly launched pathway: Comprehensive Medical Assessment for Residential Aged Care Homes

For more information, please visit our Project Site or contact the team via enquiries@ sahealthpathways.com.au.

HealthPathways SA is accessible anywhere, anytime on most devices.

Access is free and easy. Register to gain free access to HealthPathways SA. HealthPathways South Australia is a partnership between SA Health, Adelaide PHN and Country SA PHN.

Adelaide PHN in Action

2022-23 Annual Report Launched

We are pleased to announce the launch of our 2022-23 Annual Report.

Our Annual Report showcases the breadth of our achievements, the depth of our impact, and the trajectory that lies ahead for our organisation. It demonstrates our commitment in shaping the health system and delivering better outcomes to our community.

and already supporting over 800 people in navigating the health system and accessing appropriate levels of care.

•

Key achievements from across the year include: •

•

Establishing South Australia’s first Safe Haven site in Salisbury, supporting more than 1,000 people experiencing psychological distress in the north of Adelaide.

Commissioning 11 care finder organisations across our region

•

Establishing Australia’s first Aboriginal Internship Program and supporting medical interns with in-depth knowledge of culturally appropriate care, connection to country, and a greater understanding of the barriers to health for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Supporting 90% of general practices in our region to receive the Strengthening Medicare GP Grant.

To read the 2022-2023 Annual Report, please visit adelaidephn.com. au/annualreport.

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Drug and Alcohol Services for CALD Communities This year, Adelaide PHN funded Community Access and Services SA (CAaSSA) to provide free and culturally appropriate Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) treatment Interventions for people 18 years or older from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities living in the Adelaide metropolitan region.

The program aims to address various challenges associated with AOD use, including social health, mental health, family, police/ legal, employment, finance, and homelessness.

The service is also tasked with delivering a combination of outreach and site-based services, with a person-centred and culturally sensitive approach based on the consumer’s identified needs.

In consultation with its stakeholders and consumers, and to ensure that its services are reaching a diverse range of communities, CAaSSA has produced an information brochure for GPs, other health services, community organisations and individuals.

The brochure is available in the following languages:

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Vietnamese.

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Kirundi.

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French.

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Dari.

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Swahili.

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Nepali.

The brochure provides information about how to access the service and the types of interventions that are available.

Please visit the CAaSSA website to learn more.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: Adelaide PHN Advisory Council members

Meet our Community Advisory Council As part of our ongoing commitment to community engagement, our Community Advisory Council plays a pivotal role in guiding the Adelaide PHN Board.

Their guidance ensures that all decisions, investments, and innovations are person-centered, cost-effective, and aligned with local care experiences and expectations.

Our Community Advisory Council comprises individuals with diverse skills and lived experiences. They work together to prioritise health issues and help develop strategies aimed at achieving more effective

and sustainable health outcomes for our local communities.

The council represents community voices on various topics such as primary mental health services, aged care, and digital health services.

Their feedback informs our regional needs assessment, guides our service design, and influences our commissioning decisions.

This year, we welcomed our new Chair, Paolo Cardelli, along with new members Nicole Tersic, Blake Lawrenson, Rachel Rodda, and Scott Walker.

They join Maria Heredia, Tracey Nicholls, Jane Marshall, Etty Garabelli, Joanna Stolz, and Lydia Lam in continuing the impactful work of the Council.

A big thank you to the council members for your ongoing support to shape the future of health care in our local communities.

To learn more about our council members, please visit the Adelaide PHN website.

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Compassionate Community Conversations

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: Woodville morning tea workshop.

Compassionate Communities are networks of support for people experiencing a serious illness, ageing, disability, dying, grief, and caregiving.

In November, local South Australians were invited to attend free morning teas and compassionate community conversations across the state.

The Compassionate Community Conversations morning teas focused on the principles of ‘compassionate communities’, the theme for the 2023 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on 14 October.

The events, led by Palliative Care South Australia (PCSA), in collaboration with Carers SA were funded by Adelaide PHN and Country SA PHN, supported by Government of South Australia SA Health and The Hospital Research Foundation Group.

The sessions were held in November at locations in Woodville, Marion, Modbury North, Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, Port Lincoln, Mount Gambier,

Photo: Woodville morning tea participants.

Whyalla, Murray Bridge, Berri, Port Pirie, and Kadina.

It is expected that the twelve free morning teas and one-and-a-halfhour compassionate community conversations will enable PCSA to develop true insight into local networks of support across SA, with a collated state-wide report to be provided to all attendees in March 2024.

Conversation participants received information and resources about services that support open conversations about becoming a more compassionate neighbour and building local compassionate communities.

Ms. Michelle McKay, Chief Executive Officer of Adelaide PHN, said prior to the event, “These events are for everyone, including community members, health professionals, carers, business owners, community groups, local councils, health, and community professionals.

Everyone experiences this space, all personally, but many professionally as well. We can all be a part of the networks of care which support each other during these times.”

A big thank you to all the attendees, guest speakers and the local councils for supporting the morning teas and helping build a compassionate community.

Learn more Please visit the Palliative Care South Australia website.

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Adelaide PHN’s 2023 Christmas Closure Office Closure Adelaide PHN’s office will be closed from mid-day Thursday 21 December 2023 and will reopen on Wednesday 3 January 2024. More information relating to our closure will be made available on our website over the coming week.

Mental Health Support The Head to Health Phone Service will continue operating between 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Please contact 1800 595 212 to find access to appropriate mental health supports during the Christmas period.

People seeking urgent mental health support can access Urgent Mental Health Care Centre at 215 Grenfell Street, Adelaide. This is open 24-hours, 7-days per week.

If you or someone you know needs immediate emergency assistance, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. To speak to the Mental Health Triage Line, call 13 14 65.

Urgent Care The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) are operating 7-days a week throughout the Christmas period.

The clinics are designed to provide urgent but not life-threatening care and offers bulk billing for eligible treatments, including minor infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and gastroenteritis.

For more information, please visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

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Elizabeth Medicare UCC (open now) 30 Phillip Highway, Elizabeth 10.00am - 8.00pm, 7-days per week (including public holidays)

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Marion Medicare UCC (open now) 453 Morphett Road, Oaklands Park 10.00am - 8.00pm, 7-days per week (including public holidays)

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Western Medicare UCC (opening Monday 4 December) 1202-1210 Old Port Road, Royal Park 10.00am - 8.00pm, 7-days per week (including public holidays)

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Morphett Vale Medicare UCC (opening Thursday 28 December) 1 Doctors Road, Morphett Vale 8.00am - 7.00pm, Monday to Friday | 8.00am 3.00pm weekends and public holidays

Adelaide PHN in Action

WALK-IN SERVICE

No appointment or referral required

Safe Haven.

Feeling overwhelmed or distressed?

Drop into Safe Haven for a chat, tea or coffee, or to simply hang out!

Safe Haven is a friendly, compassionate and nonjudgmental place where everyone is welcome.

Staff members at Safe Haven have their own personal lived experience of mental health challenges and can offer an understanding ear about whatever is troubling you.

This service is

What is available?

• • • • •

Support from Peer Practitioners who understand what you are going through.

Relaxing environment.

Board and card games.

Refreshments.

Connections to other services for additional support.

FInd us 9 John Street, Salisbury SA Tuesday to Friday, 5 pm - 9 pm

Free & confidential

Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome at Safe Haven

Supported by Adelaide PHN, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Northern Adelaide Mental Health Alliance and Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network

Learn more sonder.net.au/safe-haven

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Digital Health An update from our digital health team, including relevant resources and news relating to quality improvement activities, training, integrated care, and general support.

You can get in touch with our digital health team by emailing digitalhealthinfo@ adelaidephn.com.au.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Photo: UniSA students Connie, Jinisha, Wathsala and Amrit with Course Coordinator Kuan and Adelaide PHN Digital Health Officer, Bonnie.

Placement Partnership with UniSA Adelaide PHN has been providing University of South Australia (UniSA) Master of Health Services Management students with opportunities to complete their capstone project since signing a partnership agreement early this year.

This quarter, we welcomed a new group of students, Connie, Jinisha, Wathsala and Amrit, to work on the Safe Transit Campaign project.

The project aims to encourage and support primary care providers to adopt secure messaging platforms for sending and receiving referrals.

The students conducted an environmental scan and data

analysis of secure messaging in general practices within our region and successfully developed a robust intervention plan. Several intervention activities were implemented in a phased approach, including a communications campaign, readiness checklist and direct informational communications to the general practices.

Feedback from these activities provided insights into barriers to adoption, including the need for consistent terminology for secure messaging, change management processes, and workflow. In addition, it highlighted the known challenges of interoperability, governance, and policy.

Adelaide PHN extends its gratitude to the UniSA Master of Health Services students for their hard work on the Safe Transit Campaign and we look forward to collaborating with the next cohort.

Please get in touch with our Digital Health Team at digitalhealthinfo@ adelaidephn.com.au if your practice requires any support with secure messaging.

To learn more about our Digital Health programs, please visit the Adelaide PHN website.

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SA Health’s Statewide eReferrals Program

SA Health launched a single statewide electronic referral (eReferral) management system on 13 September 2023.

The Statewide eReferrals Program, implemented by Digital Health SA, enables GPs to send referral forms digitally to outpatient clinics, replacing the use of faxes and letters.

GPs and other referring doctors will now receive notifications when an electronic referral is received by a Local Health Network (LHN), eliminating the need to wait for confirmation via post. This change is expected to reduce delays and prevent multiple referrals.

The Women’s and Children’s Hospital became the first LHN to accept eReferrals on 13 September. Since its launch, 289 eReferrals have been received from 72 clinics.

The program is being rolled out in multiple phases, and practices will be informed when other LHNs start accepting eReferrals.

Practices can access the SA Health eReferral SmartForm through their practice management systems such as Best Practice, Medical Director, ZedMed, and Genie under the HealthLink tab.

This platform offers GPs and practice managers a secure and efficient way

to manage referrals, improve patient care and streamline workflows.

If you do not use any of the listed practice management software options, you can continue to refer through traditional methods.

For more information about the SA Health Statewide eReferral Program, please visit the SA Health eReferrals website.

If your practice requires support or training in using HealthLink SmartForms, please contact the Adelaide PHN Digital Health team at digitalhealthinfo@adelaidphn.com.au.

Adelaide PHN in Action

Telehealth in RACF Program Update Timely access to primary health care professionals is an issue for many residential aged care homes (RACHs), which in some cases can result in potentially preventable hospitalisations. RACHs require adequate telehealth facilities to support virtual consultations for their residents.

Adelaide PHN established its Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) program to address the critical problem of limited and delayed access to timely health care services within RACHs. The overarching aim of the telehealth program was to enhance video telehealth consultations in RACHs. The focus areas included: Infrastructure Enhancement: Eligible aged care organisations were provided with grants to enhance their telehealth capabilities by

purchasing devices that can enable video telehealth consultations in their homes.

Capability Building: Adelaide PHN improved digital literacy and telehealth capability in the primary health and aged care sectors through free training and clinical education for RACH staff and their primary care providers on virtual models of care.

Connecting RACHs with Providers: Recognising the vital role of general practices in providing health care services to RACHs, Adelaide PHN engaged with primary care providers to strength virtual care coordination between general practices and the RACHs. Sustaining Change: To further support embedding telehealth in practice, Adelaide PHN provided primary health care and aged care

homes with relevant resources such as e-learning modules, consent form templates, workflow suggestions, template policies and guidelines that can be adapted by each RACH. The program has brought value to the sector by: •

Providing funds for building telehealth capacity and capability in RACHs.

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Fostering stronger GP/RACH relationships.

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Educating RACH staff and GP about the practicality and suitability of video telehealth in an aged care setting.

In terms of early impact: •

Over 70% of potentially interested aged care homes have been supported via small grants to enhance their telehealth infrastructure.

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All participating aged care homes and their primary care providers have the necessary capabilities, capacity and tools to strengthen their virtual care coordination.

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By aged care bed places, approximately 7,000 residents now have the choice of timely access to care via telehealth.

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Practice Support Our dedicated Practice Facilitators form part of our Practice Support Team. They work with primary health care providers to support ongoing programs and initiatives that promote quality patient care and improve health outcomes.

Adelaide PHN in Action

My Medicare In the Adelaide PHN region, over 80% of eligible practices have registered to participate in the MyMedicare Program.

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model. It aims to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, GP, and primary care team, and is part of an ongoing commitment from the Department of Health and Aged Care to strengthening Medicare for all Australians.

Evidence shows that seeing the same GP and health care team regularly leads to better health outcomes. Seeing a GP regularly and formalising the relationships with a GP and general practice through MyMedicare may lead to better health outcomes.

card holders, from 1 November 2023.

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MyMedicare patients will have access to •

Greater continuity of care with your registered practice, improving health outcomes.

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Longer Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) funded telehealth consultations with your GP.

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Triple bulk billing incentive for longer MBS telehealth consultations for children under 16, pensioners, and concession

Connections to more appropriate care in general practice for people who visit hospital frequently, from mid-2024.

MyMedicare practices can access •

Registering with MyMedicare provides benefits to patients, general practices, and healthcare providers.

MyMedicare Patient registration is now open!

More regular visits from your GP and better care planning for people living in a residential aged care home, from August 2024.

The new longer telehealth items linked to MyMedicare, including: •

longer MBS-funded telephone calls (Levels C and D) with their usual general practice.

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triple bulk billing incentive for longer MBS telehealth consultations (Levels C, D and E) for children under 16, pensioners, and concession card holders.

progressively across the country over three years from the 2024– 25 financial year.

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Chronic Disease Management items linked to a patient’s registration in MyMedicare from November 2024, to support continuity of care for people with chronic and complex conditions.

Patients who are not registered in MyMedicare will still be able to receive Chronic Disease Management items from their usual GP.

Practices that provide services to patients who would benefit from the new MyMedicare-linked MBS longer telehealth services or provide care to people in residential aged care are encouraged to register those patients in MyMedicare as priority cohorts over the next 3 months.

Further information on MyMedicare can be found via the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

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The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive from 1 August 2024, which will support regular health assessments, care plans and regular GP visits for people in residential aged care homes.

A general practice MyMedicare communication toolkit has been developed with a range of resources to support health professionals in having conversations with patients, including fact sheets, brochure and posters. The toolkit can be download via the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

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New blended funding payments to support better care in the community for people with complex, chronic disease who frequently attend hospitals.

These arrangements will roll out

If you need support with MyMedicare, please contact your Adelaide PHN Practice Facilitator either via direct email and/or practicesupport@adelaidephn.com. au.

From 2024–2025, MyMedicare practices can access:

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IAR -DST Training Updates

Adelaide PHN has provided training and support to assist GPs in using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) in clinical practice since December 2022.

national training for the remainder of 2023, which was accepted and implemented. Currently, five GPs and 70 allied health professionals have been trained nationally.

The IAR-DST training is continuing with regularly scheduled after hours and lunchtime sessions.

The Western Australian Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) has requested Adelaide PHN to provide training until the recruitment, training, and accreditation of their Training Support Officers are completed.

Since the commencement of the program, we have trained 340 GPs and 160 allied health professionals in the Adelaide PHN region.

Survey questionnaires completed at the conclusion of training continue to be extremely positive, with clinicians endorsing the clinical presentation discussion.

Other Updates Adelaide PHN was formally requested by the Department of Health and Aged Care to provide

Field testing for the IAR adaptations for Children and Adolescents is underway with Training Support Officers, and the planned release will follow the completion of this testing.

Register for Training The project is scheduled to continue into 2024, with regular after-hours and lunchtime sessions available.

On-site practice visits will also continue to be available upon request, arranged at the convenience of individual practices.

Please get in touch with our team via IAR-DST@adelaidephn.com.au or through the practice facilitator supporting your practice to find a time that works for you.

To learn more about the IAR-DST, including why it is being implemented, the development process, training and ongoing use, please visit adelaidephn. com.au/iar

Adelaide PHN in Action

Strengthening Medicare The strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Programs purpose was to provide funding to general practices and eligible ACCHOs to make improvements to their practices, to expand patient access and support safe, and accessible, quality primary care.

We welcomed to opportunity to work with practices in relation to the grants and to hear of some of the innovative ideas, improvements and digital health enhancements made in general practice since the commencement of the program.

Adelaide PHN Practice Facilitators have played a vital role in supporting the strengthening Medicare – Program Grants, in preparation, implementation and ongoing support to general practices in the Adelaide PHN region.

Since inception, we’ve supported 90% of general practices within our region in receiving the grant.

Any questions can be directed to practicesupport@ adelaidephn.com.au.

Aboriginal Community Forum The first Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) Aboriginal Community Forum was held on Thursday 23 November.

SALHN launched their RAP and provided updates on their current progress as well as discussing their Aboriginal Health Services. This event provided a networking opportunity for service providers and community, where we as Adelaide PHN took the opportunity to promote our relevant CSP’s and immunisation resources including the ever popular lulu books.

Photo: Adelaide PHN Practice Facilitator, Phoebe with Aboriginal Health Lead, Fiona.

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Adelaide Primary Care in Action Highlights of programs and activities affecting the delivery and experience of primary health care across the Adelaide metropolitan region.

Primary Care in Action

When to visit a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Medicare Urgent Care Clinics give you and your family more options to see a doctor or nurse when urgent, but not life-threatening, care is needed.

Visit your local Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for bulk billed treatment for things like: ‫ ݱ‬minor infections

‫ ݱ‬insect bites and rashes

‫ ݱ‬minor fractures, sprains, sports injuries and neck and back pain

‫ ݱ‬minor eye and ear infections

‫ ݱ‬urinary tract infections (UTIs)

‫ ݱ‬gastroenteritis

‫ ݱ‬sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

‫ ݱ‬minor burns.

‫ ݱ‬respiratory illness

‫ ݱ‬minor cuts Medicare Urgent Care Clinics do not provide treatment for regular checkups or complex conditions. See your GP for non-urgent, routine and preventative health care.

If you or a loved one has a life-threatening injury or illness, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your hospital’s emergency department.

Find your nearest Medicare Urgent Care Clinic: health.gov.au/MedicareUCC

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Primary Care in Action

Look Better, Feel Better Look Good Feel Better is a free, national community service program, run by the Cancer Patients Foundation.

The Confidence Kits contain a range of skincare and cosmetic products, in addition to practical written and video guides.

Look Good Feel Better have been operating in Australia for 33 years and offers free in-person and online workshops and Confidence Kits to help people manage the most common physical and psychological impacts of cancer treatment.

The program is open to anyone undergoing any type of treatment for any type of cancer, anywhere in Australia.

The workshops cover topics from skincare, cosmetics and headwear options, through to grooming, fitness, mobility, and mental wellbeing.

Individuals can self-refer into the program.

For further information, please reach out to info@lgfb.org.au.

Article provided by Look Better, Feel Better.

One Talk at a Time Campaign Child sexual abuse is far too common, but we all have the power to prevent child sexual abuse and support the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in Australia.

Just over 1 in 4 Australians have experienced some form of child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse can lead to a range of short- and longterm effects on health and wellbeing, including health risk behaviours, mental health disorders, and

increased health service utilisation.

Children have a right to be safe from sexual abuse. Preventing child sexual abuse can support children’s rights and reduce a series of health impacts across the population.

Having ongoing conversations with children, young people, and other children about child sexual abuse can help prevent child sexual abuse but it can be hard to know how to have these conversations.

The Australian Government has released the One Talk at a Time campaign to support adults with children and young people in their life to have these conversations.

To learn more and access a range of supportive resource, please visit the Child Safety website.

Article sourced from National Office of Child Safety website.

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Primary Care in Action

Face Up to Dementia

Face Dementia is a public awareness campaign currently running in Adelaide until September 2024.

The campaign is part of a research project led by the University of Sydney in conjunction with six Australian universities including Flinders University. The research aims to increase awareness of dementia, reduce dementia-related stigma and improve timely diagnosis.

Activities include public educational events, community and social media, as well as a website and printed resources.

People with concerns are encouraged to complete a checklist of dementia

symptoms and changes and to ask their GP for an assessment.

Please note, the checklist is not intended to diagnose dementia.

It is a tool to help people have conversations with their GP and/ or practice nurse as well as their family. The checklist resulted from a literature review of existing tools and was refined by a panel including specialist doctors and GPs. Adelaide-based GP and GP-educator, Dr Stephanie Daly (Chair of Adelaide PHN Clinical Council), was involved in the development of the Face Dementia project.

She says, “Changes in a person’s ability, behaviour, personality, thinking or memory could be dementia and people with concerns should ask a GP for an assessment.

GPs can perform an annual health assessment after the age of 75 which includes an assessment of cognition. This can act as a baseline assessment or an opportunity to discuss brain health and monitor for any changes.”

Article provided by University of Wollongong

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Restrictive Practices out, Weighted Blankets in Restrictive practices are activities or interventions, either physical or pharmacological, that have the effect of restricting a person’s free movement or ability to make decisions. Restrictive practices are overused in residential aged care settings, particularly with people living with dementia. Whilst restrictive practices are used with the intent of ensuring the person’s safety, such practices can negatively impact an individual’s quality of life. Additionally, sleep disturbances in individuals with dementia often exacerbate responsive behaviours and lead to an increased reliance on these restrictive measures.

Dr Suzanne Dawson, a member of the Healthy Ageing Support and Care research program, in collaboration with Professor Stacey George, Professor Kate Laver and Dr Candice Oster from the Caring Futures Institute, is leading a research program that aims to transform care practices for older individuals and those living with dementia.

Dr Dawson’s research program focuses on two key aspects: reducing the overuse of restrictive practices and addressing sleep disturbances in individuals with dementia using weighted blankets.

Caring Futures Institute and Adelaide PHN have been working

collaboratively on both projects through a partnership which is supported by a joint appointment held by Stacey George, Professor of Healthy Ageing Support and Care.

Uniting Communities and SALHN mental health services are also key industry partners.

Overuse of restrictive practices The first project, funded by the ARIIA Grants program, came from identified needs within the Adelaide PHN Clinical Workgroup to address the overuse of restrictive practices in residential aged care settings.

Primary Care in Action

This project, in collaboration with Uniting Communities, will test the implementation of the Safewards program in residential aged care homes.

“We are implementing interventions to enhance aged care staff capacity in providing day-to-day care for individuals with complex needs and minimising the overuse of restrictive practices within residential aged care settings,” Dr Dawson said.

The research team are specialised in restrictive practices, implementation, and dementia care. Other stakeholders in this endeavour include an expert trainer in Safewards, and a lived experience Safewards facilitator.

“The research project is utilising a mixed methods approach to examine the impact of Safewards interventions on the overuse of restrictive practices.” Dr Dawson explained. “This includes collecting and analysing routine data on medication use, incidents of restrictive practices, as well as measures of staff confidence, knowledge, skill levels, and resident wellbeing.”

In-depth insights will also be gathered through focus groups and interviews with staff, residents, and their families.

Weighted Blankets for Sleep Disturbances The second project, supported by a Dementia Australia grant, focusses

on addressing the impact of sleep disturbances among individuals with dementia through the use of weighted blankets.

Dr Dawson’s prior research on weighted modalities, laid the foundation for exploring the potential of weighted blankets as an intervention for improving sleep among individuals with dementia.

“Sleep disturbances significantly affect disease progression in dementia, and weighted blankets are a potential intervention to improve sleep quality, thereby reducing caregiver stress and associated healthcare costs.” Dr Dawson highlighted. “Presently, there are no universally recognised ‘gold standard’ sleep interventions for individuals with dementia.”

The investigation into improving sleep for individuals with dementia involves a pilot randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of weighted blankets as an intervention. This project is in collaboration with the Repat Neurobehavioural Unit, SALHN mental health services.

The data collected will be brought to a co-design workshop. Individuals with lived experience of dementia will collaborate with researchers in developing protocols for introducing the use of weighted blankets across various settings, such as people’s homes and residential aged care.

“This trial strives to identify key factors for successful implementation across diverse care

settings, as well as in people’s own homes” Dr Dawson said.

Early responses from participants involved in the studies have been positive.

“The Safewards training sessions have been well-received by staff, and we are progressing with further implementation,” noted Dr Dawson.

“Similarly, the enthusiasm from families in the weighted blanket trial signals a strong desire for nonpharmacological interventions.”

“This holistic approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in our pursuit to improve care practices.”

Dr Dawson said. ‘Collaborating with various stakeholders enriches our research process, ensuring a more inclusive and impactful outcome.”

The research holds the potential to significantly transform care practices for the elderly and individuals with dementia.

“Through innovative approaches like applying the Safewards model in care settings as an alternative to restrictive measures, and exploring weighted blankets to address sleep disturbances, our research has the potential to profoundly change care for people living with dementia. It could lead to significant policy changes and transform care practices in various settings,” Dr Dawson concluded.

Article provided by Caring Futures Institute.

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Connect with us

08 8219 5900 enquiry@adelaidephn.com.au adelaidephn.com.au

Further information

Find out more about Adelaide PHN’s programs and services via our online directory.

Providers can find a calendar of local professional development opportunities and a resource library to support delivery of primary health care across the metropolitan region.

Adelaide PHN’s career page includes listings of vacancies within general practice across the Adelaide region (a service offered for free to general practice teams).

Adelaide PHN distributes Connect to provide beneficial and relevant information. The content is sourced from credible organisations, but please note we do not undertake extensive quality reviews. While the Australian Government helped fund this document, it has not reviewed the content and is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided herein.