Connect May 2023 | An Adelaide PHN Publication

May 2023

Connect

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

St. Peter’s Cathedral

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”

A Message from Michelle McKay

Welcome to the May edition of Connect!

The year has flown by quickly, and it has been a busy period for us at the PHN.

It’s encouraging to see that the several programs we’ve recently commissioned have been received very positively by our community.

One of our most recent commissioned programs designed to help the most vulnerable members of our community is the Care Finder Program. The program is now fully operational in South Australia and nationally embedded in the aged care system.

Another way we are recognising the efforts of those providing outstanding contributions to improve the health equity of our region is through our 2023 Health Equity Awards.

Usually held in October, our awards will be held in August this year and honour people who have made significant contributions to health equity initiatives.

Nominations have now closed, and all received applications will be assessed against a health equity matrix, with the award recipients

announced on Friday, August 18 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Our team have also attended many events and conferences across Australia; this has helped them to learn more about the health equity challenges and design programs to address them.

I also highly encourage you to watch the Greater Choice Program video series, which highlights the local initiatives delivered by a few of the PHNs under this program. The series features our work supporting quality improvement initiatives across the aged care and primary care sector as part of the Greater Choice Program.

We are well into the autumn and bracing ourselves for winter. Remember to book your flu shot with your GP or local pharmacy as soon as possible if you’re considering getting vaccinated against the flu. Stay safe and healthy!

Michelle McKay CEO

Commissioning Update

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.

Primary Mental Health Services

• Commissioned: Contracts have been executed with all the preferred providers with new services operational from 1 July.

Aged Care

• Commissioned: Care Finder Program is now fully operational.

• Commissioning soon: Contract negotiations with consultants are underway to support general practices with implementing quality improvement activities. These will be aimed at supporting healthy ageing and improving the management of chronic disease. Practices have been recruited through an EOI process which is now closed.

• Commissioning soon: The second round of grant funding for the Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) program is now closed. A third round of grant funding for the program will commence shortly.

• Commissioning soon: A select

tender is underway to identify a preferred provider for ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program supporting the management of chronic disease in primary care settings.

Youth Enhanced Service (YES)

• Commissioning soon: Contract negotiations are underway with YouTurn, the preferred provider for Youth Enhanced Services (YES). YouTurn will commence service delivery on 1 July 2023.

Head to Health

• Commissioning soon: Contract negotiations are underway with the preferred provider for the Head to Health Phone Service. Services are expected to commence 1 July 2023.

• Commissioning soon: Contract negotiations are underway with the preferred provider for the Head to Health Northern Centre. The Centre is anticipated to be

operational by 1 October 2023.

Strengthening Medicare

• Commissioning soon: Grants have been offered to all general practices under the federal Strengthening Medicare initiative commencing 1 July 2023.

Urgent Care Clinics (UCC)

• Commissioning soon: Registrations of Interest have been received from general practices interested in applying to become a UCC. A tender process is now underway to select providers for the four UCCs in the Adelaide PHN region.

Care Finder Program

support person who can help them, or

• Not have a carer or support person they feel comfortable with or trust to support them

• Be eligible for governmentfunded aged care

In addition, they should have one or more of these reasons for needing intensive support:

The Care Finder Program is now fully operational in South Australia and embedded in the aged care system nationally.

Care finders provide specialist and intensive assistance to vulnerable older people to understand and access aged care and connect with other relevant supports in the community. They also help find support services to improve a person’s quality of life. Care finders can help with accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports.

Care finders help people by:

• Talking to My Aged Care on their behalf and arranging an assessment

• Attending and providing support at the assessment

• Finding and short-listing aged care providers in their area

• Completing forms and explaining the aged care service agreements

• Checking in to ensure everything is okay

• Solving other challenges and connecting to supports in the community, such as health, mental health, housing and homelessness, drug and alcohol services and community groups

To receive care finder support:

• A person must have no carer or

• Have difficulty communicating because of language or literacy problems

• Find it difficult to understand information and make decisions

• Be reluctant to engage with aged care services

• Be in an unsafe situation if they do not receive services

Care finder organisations within SA are working together by forming a community of practice to ensure the program delivers the best support to vulnerable older people.

There are 15 care finder providers across the state. Please visit the Aged Care website to find out more about the providers in your region.

Care finder services in SA are funded by Adelaide PHN and Country SA PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.

Photo: Care finder Community of Practice (SA)

Events

An update on the events, conferences and forums that Adelaide

PHN attended.

Pregnancy and Baby Expo 2023

This year’s Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s (PBC) Expo was held on 15 and 16 April at the Adelaide Showgrounds and boasted a wide range of stall holders promoting nutrition, health, photography, baby safety, baby furniture and other necessities.

Over 7,100 people attended the two-day expo, with Adelaide PHN Immunisation Hub booth busy providing vaccination recommendations and advice to pre-natal, pregnant and post-natal women and their partners.

Discussions about the shingles vaccination piqued the curiosity of older adults - usually grandparents. Young children loved the Lulu, Dixie and Curly story books,

colouring-in books and “Be a star and get vaccinated” magnets, while the parents took a liking to the immunisation schedule fridge magnets and stress balls. Many individuals indicated their decision to talk to their doctor about getting vaccinated after getting advice from the experienced nurses at the hub.

The expo statistics reflected the positive response to our attendance and uptake of information, which stated that 18% of attendees were looking at changing their plans, and 42% of attendees became more aware of support organisations.

The PBC Expo is Australia’s biggest and the world’s longest running early parenting event.

The 2024 expo will be held on 13 and 14 April. To learn more, please visit the PBC Expo website.

Photo: Nurses Carolyn Bury and Gaby Jones from the TTG Council talking to attendees at the PBC Expo.

Closing the Gap Day 2023

Closing the Gap (CTG) Day, South Australia’s largest event dedicated to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, was held on 16 March 2023.

The event was presented by Sonder and Nunkuwarrin Yunti. Adelaide PHN has been a proud CTG partner since 2017 and was a Gold Sponsor this year.

The event, held at the Adelaide Showground’s Jubilee Pavilion provided an opportunity for the community to come together,

celebrate and yarn with the different health services.

Up to 3,000 people walked through the front doors, enjoying live performances, activities, and giveaways whilst learning about services that are available for them and their families.

Uncle Moogy welcomed attendees to Kaurna Country with Isaac Hannam on digeridoo. Performances by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, Katie Aspel, the Nancy Bates Trio, Nathan May and Eddie

Peters created a lively atmosphere while people browsed the First Nations’ Marketplace.

The Hon Kyam Maher, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney General, and Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector at the Government of South Australia eloquently spoke to attendees at the event. In addition, Nat Cook, MP and Dale Agius, South Australia’s Commissioner for First Nations Voice, were in attendance.

Photo: Adelaide PHN Deputy CEO Sarah Murray delivering her speech at the 2023 CTG Day.

Photo: Adelaide PHN Deputy CEO Sarah Murray with The Hon Kyam Maher (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs).

Our merchandise including Lulu books and pens were quite popular with the event attendees.

Photo: The Nancy Bates Trio.

Photo: Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna Elder, Uncle Moogy Sumner welcomed attendees to Kaurna Country.

Sarah Murray, our Deputy CEO, spoke about the significance of the 715 health checks and the role Adelaide PHN plays in promoting health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Exhibitors were positioned within zones in an expo-style arrangement to support attendees in identifying organisations that may assist with specific needs.

The zones included employment, aged care, disability, health care, general interest, youth, homelessness, and sports, as well as a designated First Nations’ Marketplace zone where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists showcased creative services.

Adelaide PHN provided eight Boostrix vaccines, six COVID-19 vaccines and performed 10 Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) checks.

Adelaide PHN Practice Facilitator Phoebe and Immunisation Co-

ordinator Angela were pleased with the uptake of information at the event.

Phoebe says, “CTG Day is a great opportunity for the community to gather, learn about and experience the plethora of health care services available to them.”

Angela believes that CTG Day is an opportunity for everyone to embrace, respect and acknowledge the ongoing strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“By coming together, we show our common desire for health equity and equality to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today and for the generations to come,” she says.

Adelaide PHN would like to congratulate Sonder for hosting a well-turned out event. We look forward to the next one!

Photo: Adelaide PHN staff at the 2023 CTG Day booth.

Marketplace at the 2023 CTG Day.

Adelaide PHN provides funding for Sonder’s CTG program. Read more about the program here.

Better Together Conference

Adelaide PHN Rainbow Working Group and Rainbow Support Group Members, Lisa Filipenko, Wills Logue and Bel Spagnoletti attended the Better Together 2023, Australia’s fifth national LGBTIQA+ conference, convened by The Equality Project. Over a course of two days, more than 800 delegates attended 93 sessions by LGBTIQA+ community members and allies. Presenters delivered thought provoking talks and facilitated engaging discussions on topics including youth gender diversity and mental health, end of life planning,

suicide prevention, homelessness and aging, palliative care and domestic violence.

Bel (she/her) shared some of her reflections from the conference.

“Adelaide was extremely fortunate to host Better Together 2023, which transformed the Adelaide Convention Centre into the most fabulously welcoming, colourful and unified space.

It allowed the brilliant work that providers of community, health and advocacy services are undertaking

across the state to be showcased, and allowed their counterparts from around the country to workshop their ideas and share learnings from their innovative work.

I was challenged to transcend binary thinking, encouraged to use my privilege to advocate and support others, and reminded that we don’t need permission to change the world.

Thanks again to Adelaide PHN’s Rainbow Working Group for ensuring that Adelaide PHN staff had the opportunity to participate in these important national conversations.”

Photo(L to R): Bel Spagnoletti, Lisa Filipenko, and Wills Logue at the Better Together 2023 Conference.

Adelaide PHN at Conferences and Forums

2023 National Suicide Prevention Conference

Adelaide PHN Regional Suicide Prevention Lead Danielle Bacskai joined the conversation at the 2023 National Suicide Prevention Conference in Canberra in May.

Hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia, this was the first face-to-face gathering in several years, with the theme of Reconnect, Reform and Reshape.

The conference provided an invaluable platform to address suicide prevention and share evidence-based solutions.

To learn more about our work in the mental health space, please visit the Adelaide PHN website

2023 National PHN Forum

Adelaide PHN Digital Health Team members Ben Okonjo and Riti Pandya attended the National PHN Forum in Brisbane in May. This was the first time the forum was conducted in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic. The forum provided a platform for Primary Health Networks and the Australian Digital Health Agency to discuss digital health priorities, deliverables and initiatives. Updates on aged care initiatives, the Provider Connect Australia app and My Health Record were also provided to the attendees.

To learn more about our work in Digital Health, please visit our website.

Photo: Danielle Bacskai at the 2023 National Suicide Prevention Conference in Canberra.

Photo: Adelaide PHN Digital Health Team Ben Okonjo and Riti Pandya at the 2023 National PHN Forum in Brisbane.

Uluru Statement From the Heart Event

Adelaide PHN was a silver community supporter for the “Uluru Statement from the Heart - A Deeper Understanding” at Adelaide Town Hall in May.

The event by the Australia Day Council of South Australia (ADCSA) had Noel Pearson deliver an impactful keynote address to a large audience.

It was followed by a panel discussion comprising South Australian First Nations Leaders such as Tanya Hosch, Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy at the

Australian Football League – SA State Recipient Australian of the Year 2021, Commissioner for First Nations Voice Dale Agius and Arrin Hazelbane, General Manager of Aboriginal Practice and Services, Communities and Justice in the Department of Human Services.

Adelaide PHN’s support also resulted in the distribution of 30 event tickets to multicultural and vulnerable communities connected with ADCSA.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart encourages Australians to walk together to build a better future by establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament protected by the Constitution and a Makarrata Commission for treaty-making and truthtelling.

To learn more, please visit ulurustatement.org/thestatement/ .

For Sam, CHaSM Filled the Gap

Adelaide PHN commissions a wide range of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment services and activities across the metropolitan region. Our work in the AOD sector is underpinned by extensive consultation and population mapping. Many of the services and activities we commission within the AOD area focus on providing treatment for AOD including methamphetamine, cannabis, heroin. These services support both brief and more intensive treatment interventions, counselling, structured group education programs, and health promotion activities.

Adelaide PHN-funded services are targeted at delivering treatment and services to priority populations and groups who are at greater disadvantage (than the general population) when seeking access to support. One of those priority population groups are people in contact with the criminal justice system.

The following is an example of how participating in a treatment program and reconnecting with their children had the power to change a person.

Thirty-two-year-old Sam*, an Aboriginal man has been in and

out of prison since he was a juvenile, and for over 15 years, used methamphetamine and heroin daily, often using more than 30 points per day.

His three children were on an 18-month order with the Department for Child Protection when he was incarcerated. Sam wanted to reconnect with his children. To do that, he needed to complete his Good Behaviour Bond due to his aggressive and violent behaviour and drug use. It was during this time that he came across the Counselling Health and Substance Management (CHaSM) program.

CHaSM is funded by the Commonwealth Government through Adelaide PHN. It provides free and confidential person-centred approaches to adults at risk or those that are currently involved in the criminal justice system to manage drug and alcohol use.

Sam self-referred to the CHaSM program implemented by OARS Community Transitions and commissioned by Adelaide PHN. He knew about OARS as he had completed the OARS Pre-Release program in prison.

Initially, Sam was reluctant, and he

doubted his self-referral. He attended the appointments sporadically. However, after building rapport with the counsellor, he prioritised and attended all appointments to recover from substance use.

He was also referred to numerous culturally appropriate parenting programs and domestic and family violence programs. The Department of Child Protection mandated some of the programs, but for others, Sam enrolled voluntarily.

The Adelaide PHN-funded program guided Sam to overcome drug use and reunite with his children.

Through counselling, Sam built confidence, increased his selfesteem, and worked on his communication skills. He was eager to find employment and be financially stable for himself and his children. CHaSM helped a determined Sam to build his resumé, apply and prepare for job interviews.

“I just want to break the cycle. I don’t want to be that dad who is using drugs and beats up the kids mum. I want to be a good role model for my kids and show them they can be proud of me,” Sam said.

Sam’s efforts have paid off. He has managed to remain abstinent for the last six months. He secured a job as a forklift driver in a warehouse. His manager acknowledged the amount of extra work that he had taken on, and Sam was promoted to a managerial position. The role is responsible for three teams and oversees 30 plus staff.

It also had a perk – a work vehicle that Sam was allowed to use for both work and personal use. This supported him to attend all his mandatory drug tests at the Department for Correctional Services. As Sam looks back, he’s come a long way.

“Had I not reached out to OARS and

self-referred to the program (CHaSM), I would have lost hope of reuniting with my children. Life would have looked very different,” Sam said.

Things did turn out different, but, better, for Sam. His efforts eventually helped him to accomplish his prized goal – that had been his most important motivation to change himself: he regained custody of his three children.

“I’m pretty chuffed with myself,” Sam said gleefully, but added, “there is a great need for alcohol and drug programs in the community.”

Learn more about our work in AOD space by visiting the Adelaide PHN website.

*denotes a deidentified name

Had I not reached out to OARS and self-referred to the program (CHaSM), I would have lost hope of reuniting with my children. Life would have looked very different.

An Update from HealthPathways SA

Are you ready for the flu season?

HealthPathways SA has recently updated the Influenza Immunisation Pathway, providing a comprehensive summary of the 2023 state and national vaccination recommendations.

GP Clinical Editor Dr Lucie Monet says,

“You will quickly find suitability and eligibility criteria for diverse patient populations, including those with challenging medical histories or undergoing immune-oncology therapies.”

The pathway has been updated using the expertise of Adelaide PHN Immunisation Coordinator and subject matter expert for HealthPathways, Angela Newbound.

Influenza Immunisation Pathway Update Coming Soon

HealthPathways 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 SA is a partnership between SA Health, Adelaide PHN and Country SA PHN. Visit the HealthPathways website to learn more.

Influenza and pandemic influenza pathways are currently being reviewed in preparation for the winter season and will be updated on the portal in the next month.

If you would like to provide feedback, there is a feedback button on every HealthPathways page or alternatively email the SA team at enquiries@ sahealthpathways.com.au

The HealthPathways SA team visited a number of aged care facilities, community care sites, community of practices, and meetings to introduce the stakeholders to the online portal.

Due to a growing number of older persons’ suite of pathways, the team is holding consultations with local clinicians to develop and enhance consumer and primary care resources focused on common conditions in geriatric medicine, palliative care, and dementia.

Adelaide PHN Clinical Coordinators have engaged over 200 local clinicians and service providers through demonstrations and case studies. The discussions centered on the benefits of HealthPathways in care planning and its use as a valuable

decision support tool.

The platform has seen a steady increase in registrations from the aged care sector interested in accessing local referral pathways and service information.

Our team is committed to working with the aged care sector and welcome any new users interested in developing pathways.

For any queries or to arrange a HealthPathways demonstration, please contact the team via enquiries@sahealthpathways. com.au.

New and updated pathways

• Influenza Immunisation

New

• Bereavement, Loss, and Grief Counselling

• Hepatitis C

• Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)

• Before Entering a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF)

• Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow

Updated

• Hospital Avoidance and Discharge Support Services

• Eye Assessment in Adults

• COVID-19 Information

• Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO)

• Non-acute Older Persons’ Health Assessment

• Anaphylaxis

HealthPathways SA Aged Care Sector Demonstrations

Photo: Adelaide PHN’s Michelle Pontifex presenting at the care finder community of practice.

Health and Aged Care Interface Virtual Symposium #1

Exploring the health and aged care interface - opportunities for improved integration

Wednesday 14 June 2023, 12.00pm – 2.00pm

You are invited to this inaugural Health and Aged Care Virtual Symposium to support improved integration across the health and aged care interface in South Australia.

COVID-19 Updates

Hosted by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Adelaide Primary Health Network, Country SA Primary Health Network and the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing, the symposium will focus on key initiatives to support improved consumer exp erience, proactive detection/diagnosis, best care, best place across South Australia’s health and aged care sectors.

The symposium will explore and identify opportunities for improved integration across the health and aged care interface with a focus on four key areas: access to services, workforce, information sharing and complexity of care needs.

An update from our dedicated COVID-19 team, including our continued role in the local pandemic response, upcoming training and events, resources and news items, and relevant commissioned activity.

Keynote speakers will share innovative program information followed by a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities identified across the four key areas.

This session is open to all stakeholders from across the health and aged care sectors who have an interest in improved integration and collaboration. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions for the panel’s consideration following registration.

You can get in touch with our COVID-19 team by emailing covid19@adelaidephn.com.au.

Outcomes from the symposium will be shared post event. This is a free ticketed VIRTUAL event.

SECURE YOUR PLACE by registering to attend and receive updates about the symposium HERE

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 .

Student Placement Partnership Agreement

Adelaide PHN recently welcomed the first cohort of masters students from the University of South Australia (UniSA) following the signing of a Student Placement Partnership Agreement on 22 March 2023.

The agreement will result in two intakes per year, with five students working on a project per semester.

Guillaume, Aarushi, Shweta, Gangtey, and Maggie commenced their capstone project and will work closely with our Digital Health Team for 13 weeks to explore and analyse factors that impact the adoption of telehealth services in general practices across Adelaide.

Guillaume is excited about working with the PHN team on the project

and helping with data analysis, while Aarushi is pleased about the opportunity to understand how things work in the industry.

“I am keen to learn about the application of data extraction and conversion and apply what we have learnt at UniSA to real-life scenarios,” Aarushi said.

The student’s work in their capstone projects will contribute to our understanding of the current landscape and potentially help shape our future efforts in promoting telehealth.

Adelaide PHN Digital Health Manager Ben Okonjo says, “The signing of the Student Placement Partnership Agreement highlights

Adelaide PHN’s clear commitment to fostering future health care leaders. The Digital Health Team is excited to welcome the students and work closely with them.”

We look forward to working with the students and will keep you updated on this project.

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

Photo: UniSA students with lecturer Dr Kuan Liung Tan and Adelaide PHN Digital Health Team (Ben and David).

my health App

The Australian Digital Health Agency has recently launched a revolutionary app called “my health”, designed to empower consumers to take control of their health.

Powered by My Health Record, my health is an agency-owned and managed app, designed to encourage consumers to take a more proactive role in managing their health.

With my health app, consumers can access My Health Record and directly share information with their health care providers. Some of the key features of the app include access to essential health information including:

• Medication history

• Pathology results (including COVID-19 test results)

• Vaccination records

• Allergy information

• Hospital discharge summaries

• Advance care planning documents

If you’re a health care provider interested in learning how the my health app can benefit your practice, please click on the links provided to understand how the app can benefit you and your patients –

• GPs

• Pharmacy

• Specialists

• Psychologists

• Allied Health

• Aged Care

• Aboriginal Health Services

Organisations registered for My Health Record can share and upload patient information, thus improving

patient care.

If you’re not yet registered for My Health Record but like to learn more about the app, please reach out to our Digital Health Team at digitalhealthinfo@adelaidephn.com. au.

To learn more about the my health app, please visit www.digitalhealth.gov.au/ myhealth.

healthdirect Video Call Licenses

Adelaide PHN is committed to ensuring that primary health care services, particularly general practices within our region, have access to tools to provide highquality care for their patients.

In line with this, we continue to offer free healthdirect Video Call licenses to eligible general practices within the Adelaide metropolitan region. The healthdirect Video Call platform is a secure, purpose-built telehealth solution that empowers health care

providers to conduct remote virtual health consultations with patients when in-person consultations aren’t possible or needed.

The platform was launched during COVID-19 and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

General practices in the Adelaide metropolitan region are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for a free healthdirect Video Call license.

Our Digital Health Team is available to help set up the account and provide training and technical support.

Please contact the Digital Health Team at digitalhealthinfo@ adelaidephn.com.au .

To learn more about the healthdirect Video Call platform and what sets it apart from other video consultation platforms, please visit the healthdirect website.

Harmony Week

Adelaide PHN celebrated Harmony Week by hosting a food festival on 24 March. Staff brought in a plate of food to share and celebrate the various cultures that they represent.

From curries and sel roti (a traditional Nepalese sweet fried dough) to the

Aussie fairy bread and dumplings, we had an assortment of food to sample. Staff were also provided insight into Chinese calligraphy and had an opportunity to listen to a playlist of songs from different languages.

Harmony week celebrates the many

wonderful cultures and ethnicities that make Australia what it is today.

To learn more, about Harmony week, please visit www.harmony.gov.au/.

Photo: Adelaide PHN staff

Celebrating IDAHOBIT Day

May 17 marked IDAHOBIT Day , the International Day Against LGBTIQA+ Discrimination.

IDAHOBIT Day has two main purposes. It provides an opportunity to celebrate the pride and allyship of the people who have worked to build equality around the world.

It also aims to raise awareness of the discrimination LGBTIQA+ people still face today.

To mark the day, Adelaide PHN hosted an IDAHOBIT morning tea, where our Rainbow Working Group

members spoke about the day’s importance and shared personal stories with our staff.

We also displayed the Progress Flag, and staff had an opportunity to donate funds to Trans Femme SA - a community-led social group aimed at those who identify as feminine but were not assigned female at birth.

At Adelaide PHN, we celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We are committed to being part of the journey to making the

world a safe and accepting place. To access resources for health professionals working with LGBTIQA+ people, please visit qlife.org.au/ resources/qguides.

Did you know?

May 17 commemorates the anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) removing homosexuality or same-sex attraction from the International Classification of Diseases in 1990. To learn more, please visit www. idahobit.org.au/

Photo: Adelaide PHN staff

Health Equity Awards 2023

Adelaide PHN has hosted its Primary Health Care Awards every year to recognise the hard work and dedication of our region’s primary health care organisations, who have been responsive to our community’s needs in an ever-changing environment.

Previously, winners from our seven priority areas were awarded and celebrated at an annual dinner in October.

This year, we’re presenting our 2023 Awards with a focus on health equity. This will help ensure that primary health care organisations and

individuals working to promote equal and fair opportunities for vulnerable communities in metropolitan Adelaide achieve the recognition they deserve.

With widening gaps in health equity due to several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more important than ever to address them and focus on the social determinants of health.

Health Equity Awards 2023

The Health Equity Awards 2023 will recognise outstanding organisations

2023 He alth Equity Awards Learn more

and individuals for their efforts to continuously improve equity and access for vulnerable communities in our region.

Awards Presentation

The Awards will be presented at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday, 18 August 2023.

To learn more about the 2023 Health Equity Awards, please visit our website.

Safe Haven Salisbury.

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 Free & confidential

Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome at Safe Haven

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

Open Tuesday to Friday, 5 pm - 9 pm

Learn more sonder.net.au/safe-haven

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

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.

IAR-DST GP Training

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.

Our IAR-DST Training and Support Team deliver face-to-face training to GPs at site-specific practices and online training.

Since the start of the training sessions in 2022, we have delivered 47 sessions and trained 244 GPs and 83 allied health practitioners. Feedback has generally been positive.

There is considerable flexibility for training sessions; regular, after-hours, lunchtime and ad-hoc sessions are available per GP convenience.

As outlined in the February 2023 edition, IAR was developed by an Expert Advisory Group comprising clinicians from various disciplines, those with lived experience,

academics and peak body representatives.

The features of the tool include its basis in stepped care, transdiagnostic nature and holistic overview. It provides information about a patient with mental health issues (IAR component) and links this with the appropriate dose of clinical intervention (DST component) to achieve optimal patient benefit.

Benefits for GPs include:

• A one off $300 payment (excl. GST)

• Two hours for CPD purposes, one hour each for learning and review

• Ongoing support from our IAR-DST team

• Minimisation of risk to practitioners and patients by using a standardised instrument and more

Register for Training

Our team are committed to working with you and have flexible training options.

Session times for the next three months are also advertised on our website.

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

To learn more about the IARDST, including why it is being implemented, the development process, training and ongoing use, please visit our website.

Photo: IAR-DST Training and Support Officer, Andrea Guayara and IAR-DST Training and Support Lead, Anthony Newcombe

International Women’s Day CelebrationNorthern Medical Centre

Adelaide PHN’s practice facilitators support general practices and other primary care providers with regular support. This includes Practice Incentives Program, preparing for accreditation assessments, analysing and interpreting practice data.

Practice facilitators have strong working relationships with primary health care providers, directing providers to the relevant information

or connecting them to the service or person that can assist.

Northern Medical Centre is an AGPALaccredited mixed billing general practice that we support in northern Adelaide.

On Friday, 10 March, the centre celebrated International Women’s Day by offering free pap smears. Food and goody bags were also distributed to all patients who came in

for the tests on the day. Thirty-three women did their cervical screening, either using a self-collection kit or a test conducted by a doctor.

Anyone with a cervix is highly encouraged to do a cervical screening every five years to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Please visit Wellbeing SA website for information on cervical screening self-collection kits.

Photo: The Northern Medical Centre staff

Cultural Intelligence Training Workshop

Following the success of the first Cultural Intelligence Training Workshop in November last year, Adelaide PHN conducted its second training workshop in April for Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) treatment service providers. Facilitated by Multicultural Communities Council of SA (MCCSA), the training provided the necessary knowledge, skills, practices and processes needed to effectively function in situations characterised by cultural diversity and interactions with people or

groups from different cultures and communities.

Key aspects covered in the training included:

• Introduction to cultural competence and cultural intelligence

• Intercultural factors in the workspace: challenges, issues and questions

• The four elements of developing individual cultural Intelligence

1. cultural self-awareness

2. cultural adaptability

3. cultural literacy

4. cultural bridging

The workshop was well received, with most attendees responding that the training was well presented, informative and applicable to everyday tasks of supporting clients.

To learn more about our work in the AOD space, please visit the Adelaide PHN website.

Photo: Our AOD Manager Allan with facilitators, Hanaa Grave and Ukash Ahmed from MCCSA

Greater Choices in Palliative Care

The physical and emotional wellbeing of aged care residents in palliative care is the focus of a person-centred and holistic program being delivered to Adelaide care facilities.

Adelaide PHN introduced Advance Care Plans in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in 2018 to document and improve care from the moment a resident enters a facility right up until their final journey through life.

This measure is being funded by the Australian Government’s Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care program, which enables PHNs to implement locally appropriate initiatives to improve the coordination of care and boost access to a range of support services.

Importantly, it also helps more people

understand their options for palliative support in a variety of settings, including family home and residential care.

After a gap was identified in the Needs Assessment process, Adelaide PHN used the Greater Choice program to collaborate with eight aged care providers to review policies and protocols at each of the residential homes.

A number of quality improvement activities were launched to build the capacity of aged care staff to deliver quality palliative and end-of-life care. Palliative care specialists used the Vital Talk Model to deliver knowledge and skills training to 140 registered nurses and 120 personal carers, which led to the development of a consistent approach to advance care

planning with the resident central to all decision making.

During the pilot phase of the initiative, well-documented Advance Care Plans were drawn up for 75% of residents in 28 aged care facilities across the Adelaide metropolitan area.

The Care Plans, which are regularly reviewed and updated, give a person the opportunity to think about their care preferences for when they reach the end of their life.

The residents’ values and wishes are embedded in the care plans which provides an opportunity for the person concerned to think about when that time comes - ‘what would we want? What are our wishes?’ said Michelle McKay, Chief Executive Officer of Adelaide PHN.

“The advance care plans provide an opportunity for people to document that. To think about what is important to them. To talk with their friends and family and health care providers about that and, as much as possible, be reassured that when the time comes, their wishes are well and truly met.”

Palliative care nurse Zara Freeman praised the Greater Choice program for empowering residents to feel comfortable about death and dying. “The most valuable thing for me is that people have a really beautiful death and they die with dignity with the choices that they have aspired to through their advance care planning.

“It’s such an honour to be a part of that and to provide them with comfort and support and to know that we’re there for them. We’ve got their back,” said Freeman.

A comprehensive framework has been developed to guide best practice advance care planning across aged care facilities in our region. Feedback from nurses and personal carers revealed increased knowledge of palliative care and increased confidence to recognise

and report residents’ declining health status.

Nurse Freeman said the effort involves the whole team. “The Greater Choice Program has provided education and training to everyone from registered nurses to carers, to catering staff, to social workers, to administration, to other residents.”

After the initial focus on aged care, Adelaide PHN is now rolling out the Greater Choice program into community care, including workshops for clinicians on end-of-life palliative care.

The new focus is on people who want to spend their final days in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes. “It’s the opportunity to help family and close friends really work with their loved ones as they go through this final stage of life and to feel that they have helped to make that as comfortable as it can be for the person who is experiencing that,” said Michelle McKay.

“It’s a really rewarding feeling. More people are ready for when the time comes.”

Adelaide PHN’s work features in a

video series highlighting some of the innovative and local palliative care initiatives being implemented by PHNs across Australia, under the Greater Choice program.

Click here to watch the video on our YouTube channel.

Learn more

The Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Program is a key initiative of the Department of Health and Aged Care, to coordinate palliative care through PHNs.

For more information visit, The Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Program.

Adelaide Primary Care in Action

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

The Value of Voice

Why is it that we value our vision and hearing, but rarely do we think about the value of voice?

Voice disorders can be acute (e.g. laryngitis), and appear as part of an upper respiratory virus; or they can be chronic and life changing like laryngeal dystonia or vocal fold palsy. They can appear secondary to other conditions such as MS, cancer, myasthenia or parkinson’s disease and sometimes there can be no obvious trigger at all.

But whatever the underlying cause, voice disorders change lives. They can affect relationships, employment, participation in community life; and if left unmanaged they frequently lead to withdrawal, social isolation and depression.

Currently there are no clinical

guidelines in Australia to assist with the accurate diagnosis of a hoarse voice. However the University of Sydney Voice Research Program recommends any adult who has voice changes lasting more than four weeks to be referred to a clinician who can perform a laryngoscopy.

This is in line with the US ENT Guidelines. Referral to a multidisciplinary voice assessment in a specialised voice clinic may be helpful, where the diagnosis is unclear, or the patient is not responding to treatment as expected.

The Australian Dysphonia Network (ADN) was formed in 2016 by a group of people living with chronic voice loss. The network is a registered national Health Promotion Charity which aims to increase awareness

of the impact of dysphonia, speed up diagnosis, and advocate for research into earlier and improved management.

ADN is the only organisation of its kind in Australia, and it provides individuals with support, empathy, knowledge and understanding while on their own journey.

The ADN does not recommend or endorse any treatment or management plan.

To learn more about ADN and access useful resources, please visit australiandysphonianetwork.org/.

Article sourced from Australian Dysphonia Network

Alcohol and Other Drug Services for Veterans

Do you have a patient who served in the Australian Defence Force and may need support managing alcohol and/or substance abuse?

Veteran Gold and White Card holders can access the following services for treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse disorders:

• General medical

• Psychiatry and psychology

• Relationship support

• Hospital care for detox support

• Occupational therapy

• Open Arms - Veterans and Families Counselling

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has arrangements with contracted hospitals for

inpatient AOD rehabilitation services. Treatment at contracted hospitals does not require prior financial approval. Information about contracted hospitals can be found on the DVA website.

Veterans require a referral from a medical practitioner for AOD treatment at a contracted hospital, if they haven’t been an inpatient or had contact with the hospital previously (i.e. as part of an outpatient program). If the veteran has been an inpatient or had contact with the hospital, they can self-refer.

Health providers can also advise their veteran patients about the interventions for alcohol and substance use conditions offered by Open Arms. Open Arms can provide care coordination support for

veterans and eligible family members to access specialist drug and alcohol treatment services, including pharmacotherapy and inpatient options. Health providers can refer patients to Open Arms or veterans can contact 1800 011 046.

For more information, please call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or visit the DVA website.

Article provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

All Hours Suicide Support Service

All Hours Suicide Support Service (formerly called ATAPS Suicide Support Service) is a free phone counselling service that supports Primary Health Network clients when their allied health practitioner is not available.

All Hours Suicide Support Service (AHS) is a free service that provides support to clients with low-to-medium risk of suicide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring they have access to professional counselling around the clock.

AHS professionally trained counsellors make outbound calls to check in with a client. These calls can occur once a day for up to two weeks at a time.

For more information about this service, please contact the AHS team on 1800 859 585 or visit the AHS website.

Article provided by AHS Suicide Support Service.

Strong Born Campaign

Endorsed and funded by the Australian Government, Every Moment Matters is a nationwide campaign sharing the latest evidence-based information about alcohol use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Every Moment Matters aims to:

• Increase Australians’ awareness of the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

• Increase the proportion of Australians who are aware that alcohol should not be consumed during pregnancy and that it is safest not to drink alcohol when breastfeeding.

• Increase the proportion of Australian women who intend to not drink any alcohol during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.

Every Moment Matters supports Australians to go alcohol-free through all stages of pregnancy, right from the moment they start

trying to get pregnant. The campaign also promotes safe breastfeeding practices in relation to alcohol use.

The Strong Born Campaign

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has launched the Strong Born campaign to raise awareness of FASD, and the importance of alcoholfree pregnancies, among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in rural and remote communities.

Why is Strong Born important?

Raising awareness about FASD has long been an Aboriginal Community Controlled health priority. Strong Born is about encouraging everyone in community to play a role in supporting alcohol-free pregnancies - from spreading awareness of the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant, to yarning up in a safe and stigma-free way and directing people to more info and support.

The campaign includes culturally appropriate health information for women and families, educational materials for our Aboriginal health care workers, and guidance for health care providers that work with Aboriginal communities.

Strong Born is also about supporting

people with FASD, and their families and carers, by increasing community understanding of FASD and the support services that may be available for individuals and families.

The Strong Born campaign resources are available via the NACCHO and Every Moment Matters websites .

Article provided by National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Safe pregnancies are men’s business too.

The

Empower yourself through Recovery College™

College™

I’ve used services for years, this is something really different.

We offer a range of educational courses where you can learn about mental health and life skills to build a more positive, connected and meaningful life.

Our facilitators have a lived experience. They share the mental health, wellbeing and life skills that they have found helpful on their own recovery journeys. When people come to our courses they realise they are not alone with what they are experiencing and this really helps to lift feelings of isolation that impact so strongly on our mental health.

Date Every Friday, sessions start on 5th May 2023

Venue: Sonder Safe Haven 9 John St, Salisbury SA 5108

RSVP: One day prior to session

Please email Katey Bereny Katey.bereny@mindaustralia.org.au

Mind Recovery

has readjusted my thinking about myself and about others. Instead of being a victim of life, I feel like I’m a student of life. ‒ Kerry Anne, Thargomimba campus

Kerry Anne Newton

End-of-Life Essentials

A new set of free training resources are now available from End-ofLife Essentials (EOLE). Tailored for short and focused in-service training sessions, EOLE offers a variety of assets including seminar presentations, templates, videos, and quizzes in the following topics to support health care professionals:

• Death as a normal part of life

• Recognising dying

• Imminent death

• Communication

• Team work

• After a death

These can be used in small learning groups, presentations, discussions, and more. EOLE provide the tools and flexibility needed to enhance and personalise professional learning in end-of-life care.

The resources can be accessed by visiting EOLE website.

Article provided by End-of-Life Essentials

EXTEND-PREFER Study

Unintended pregnancies and abortions can significantly impact women’s lives. Women from priority populations, which include those living in rural and remote areas and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, continue to experience poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

EXTEND-PREFER aims to test the impact of an educational video about contraception on the knowledge, attitudes and preferences of young women from priority populations in Australia.

The study is seeking participants aged 16-25 years who identify as female and are sexually active and :

• Live in a rural or remote area OR

• Identify to be of Chinese, Indian or Middle Eastern ethnic backgrounds

Participants will be asked to complete online surveys and provided a remuneration for their time.

Visit the SPHERE website to learn more about this study. Article provided by EXTEND-PREFER team, Monash University

New Smoking Cessation Resources

Quit Centre, a federally funded, national online resource for smoking and vaping cessation has released new online training and resources specifically for primary health care nurses.

Quit Centre’s ‘Smoking Cessation Brief Advice Training for Primary Health Care Nurses’, developed in consultation with primary health care

nurses, supports the development of knowledge and skills to confidently provide smoking cessation care.

This training has been endorsed by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) for CPD education.

Additional resources available through the website include clinical tools and guidelines including

a practical guide for primary health care nurses, education and events with recorded webinars and podcasts, quick and easy referral to Quitline, latest news and research and access to the Quit Centre Quarterly newsletter.

Article provided by Quit Centre

The South Australian NAIDOC Awards

NAIDOC is a time of celebration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and provides an opportunity to showcase cultural heritage and achievements.

The NAIDOC Awards recognise the achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their chosen field.

If you know an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who deserves to be recognised for their contribution, whether it be; providing leadership, promoting culture or community development, please complete the nomination form for the South Australian NAIDOC Awards.

All award recipients will receive a decorative award and a voucher or equivalent, valued at $500. Entries for NAIDOC SA Awards close on Friday 16 June 2023.

Guidelines For Eligibility (Excluding Business Of The Year / Caring For Country / LGBTIQ Person Of The Year / Lifetime Achievement) - please nominate individuals by using the following selection criteria:

1. Nominees for NAIDOC SA Awards must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

2. Applicants for the Young Person of the Year Award must be aged between 17-25 years of age.

3. Applicants for the Elder of the Year Award must be aged 60 years and over.

4. The Scholar of the Year Award will be judged on secondary and tertiary achievement.

5. Nominees for the Apprenticeship / Traineeship Award must have completed their formal

apprenticeship / traineeship or comparable training in the 12 months prior to NAIDOC Week 2023. Proof of completion should be included.

6. Only visual or performing artists including musicians are eligible for the Artist of the Year.

7. Presentation of the NAIDOC 2023 Awards will be made at the South Australian NAIDOC Awards Luncheon at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday 3 July 2023.

8. Award recipients are required to be available for photos and media opportunities.

To learn more, please visit naidocsa. com.au/

Article provided by NAIDOC SA

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.