Country SA PHN would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia and pay respects to the Elders past, present and future. We recognise and respect the unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas, which continue to be important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples living today.
We would like to advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people viewing this report that it may contain visual imagery of deceased people.
Chair of the Board Report
I am pleased to introduce to you, on behalf of the Board and the staff, the annual report of Country SA PHN for 2023-2024.
This provides an opportunity to reflect on the many achievements of the PHN over the previous year and to think innovatively about how we may improve into the future.
Primary Health Networks are independent organisations which play a vital role in improving health services in primary care, with a particular focus on those people at risk of poor health outcomes. Primary Health Networks are also vital in assisting in the delivery of healthcare reform and are guided by the national priorities set by the Australian Government. Fundamental in our method is to adapt and customise our services to meet the expectations and the needs of the people in country South Australia.
This year has seen the Board undertake a review of our Strategic Plan with a number of changes to our objectives and priorities. This is a plan for how we work together with our stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes possible. We are pleased with the results of this review and commend to you our plan which is outlined on page 22.
We are committed to our objectives of;
Increasing health equity amongst our communities
Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care services
Working with communities to enable access to the right care in the right place at the right time.
Our strategic priorities are to;
Commission effective and efficient services that deliver health equity
Facilitate local capacity for the delivery of responsive, sustainable services
Improve people’s experience of primary health care
Practice responsible and effective corporate and clinical governance.
This year has seen the Board undertake a review of our Strategic Plan with a number of changes to our objectives and priorities. This is a plan for how we work together with our stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes possible.
The Board sincerely appreciates the inspirational work of our CEO Mr Mark Hartigan, the Executive and all of our staff team. Our people are highly valued and knowledgeable and we thank them for their fantastic work and commitment to the health of the rural people of our state. We would like to thank our Community Advisory Committees who provide our organisation with valuable insights into health issues in country South Australia.
The PHN has also continued to work with all our other stakeholders to aim for the sustainable delivery of high quality services. The successful establishment of the Mount Gambier Urgent Care Centre in the past year has been a great example of this kind of collaborative work.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr Peter Rischbieth who will retire from the Board at the Annual General Meeting this year. Dr Rischbieth has been an invaluable member of our Board over many years and has provided a wealth of insights into the health system and our work. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. Dr Rischbieth has been involved in the political and health landscape in South Australia for many decades and was an inaugural member of our Board. He will be missed.
I would like to also acknowledge and thank Ms Devinia “Beanz” Binell who left our Board during the year to take up a work opportunity in Western Australia. Beanz has been a talented member of our Board and provided unique insights into some of our challenges. We wish her all the best in her new role and she will also leave a large gap to fill.
I hope that you enjoy reading our annual report and I commend it to you. Dr Simon Lockwood Chair of the Board
Chair of Finance Report
This year marked another period of strong performance for Country SA PHN, with continued success in Performance-Based Commissioning, the hybrid model approach, and consolidation of executive portfolios. We also attracted new talent while focusing on reviewing and enhancing our policies and processes.
In the 2023-24 financial year, our income saw a slight increase of $5.5M, driven by expanded program funding and a $1.2M rise in interest income. The overall surplus grew to $503K, up from $402K in 2022-23, with the increase primarily attributed to higher interest revenue. These additional resources enable us to further invest in our Rural Health Innovation Fund, which supports grassroots initiatives aimed at improving health and wellbeing in regional South Australia.
Contractor (service delivery) expenses rose to 86.4% of total expenditure, compared to 85.9% in 2022-23 and 84.2% in 2021-22. This sustained upward trend remains above our internal benchmark of 85%, which reflects positively on our service delivery focus.
Employee costs accounted for 9.8% of total expenditure, slightly up from 9.5% in the previous year but still below our benchmark of 10%. This demonstrates our continued efficiency in managing staffing costs.
We also achieved notable reductions in operational costs, with administration expenses down by $189K and Communication and IT expenses decreasing by $83.7K compared to 2022-23, thanks to management’s proactive approach.
Our auditors, William Buck, have once again issued an unqualified audit report, which serves as a testament to the team’s dedication and commitment to maintaining high standards.
Country SA PHN continues to balance operational efficiency with strong resourcing for service delivery, ensuring high-quality outcomes for SA regional communities. To our knowledge, our performance benchmarks remain some of the best in the National PHN network.
I extend my congratulations to the Executive and the entire Country SA PHN team for another year of excellent work. I would also like to thank my fellow Board members and Executive colleagues for their collaboration in what has been another very productive year.
In conclusion, I’d like to recognise Marg Scarman, our Finance Officer, who recently retired after 29 years of service. Marg’s ability to navigate the intricacies of Country SA PHN financial operations with such precision and consistency contributed greatly to our strong financial performance over many years. We thank her for her service and dedication and wish her all the best in her welldeserved retirement.
Professor Svetlana
Bogomolova Chair of Finance
Country SA PHN continues to balance operational efficiency with strong resourcing for service delivery, ensuring highquality outcomes for SA regional communities. To our knowledge, our performance benchmarks remain some of the best in the National PHN network.
Chief Executive Officer Report
I write this Chief Executive Officer report sound in the knowledge that Country SA PHN is reaching and surpassing our key performance indicators and expectations.
This is my second financial year as Country SA PHN CEO. During this time the organisation has continued to evolve and streamline activity to ensure that we are commissioning effective and efficient primary health services to support the health and wellbeing of our country South Australian communities.
In 2023-24 Country SA PHN has continued to evolve as an organisation to reflect the ever-changing landscape of primary health. We have continued to create exciting new opportunities, foster growth and have attracted and retained skilled and enthusiastic staff members with a diverse range of experiences. I would like to acknowledge Chief Operating Officer Suzanne Delaney for the outstanding support she has provided throughout this time. She has managed Country SA PHN’s operations with great skill and commitment.
I am also pleased to have welcomed back to Country SA PHN two new Executive Directors to our Executive Team – Executive Manager Strategic Engagement Emma Young in October 2023 and Executive Manager - Health System Integration and Innovation Tania Manser. Emma and Tania’s return has complemented our existing strong Executive Team that has done an outstanding job of steering the teams in their respective portfolios to achieve our Strategic Objectives.
The Country SA PHN Board of Directors consistently provides strategic direction, wise counsel and unwavering support for the organisation, our objectives and the country South Australian communities we serve. During 2023-24 the Board developed Country SA PHN’s Strategic Plan to form the cornerstone of the organisation. This plan has become embedded in all that we do, right across the organisation. Dr Simon Lockwood has continued his exemplary work as Board Chair. I am grateful for his continued stewardship and leadership throughout 2023-24.
The Country SA PHN Board of Directors consistently provides strategic direction, wise counsel and unwavering support for the organisation, our objectives and the country South Australian communities we serve.
The Country SA PHN Board has also welcomed a new member Dr David Lam. Dr Lam is a GP in Port Lincoln who also works as an Emergency Doctor at Ashford Hospital in Adelaide. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Adelaide Uni School of Medicine and has been involved in the teaching of Medical Students and Junior Medical Officers since 2012. Dr Lam is also the club doctor for the Port Lincoln Boxing Club, a graduate of the University of Adelaide Medical School and a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Dr Lam was named the 2019 South Australian/Northern Territory GP of the year by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of outgoing Board member Devinia Binnell. Devinia (Beanz) is a proud Bangarla-Kokatha-Wirangu woman. Beanz is passionate about the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and closing the gap in health and wellbeing outcomes. I would particularly like to thank Beanz for the role she provided as Cultural Advisor to our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group - ensuring our activity was viewed through a culturally appropriate lens.
I would like to thank the Clinical Council that has continued to provide key connections between primary healthcare providers and the Country SA PHN Board. The Clinical Councils bring together key stakeholders with expertise in a clinical practice environment to work in partnership and contribute to ensuring that Country SA PHN’s decisions, investments and innovations are clinically safe, patient centred, cost effective, and local.
Our Community Advisory Committees are our community voice, and I would like to acknowledge them and the activity that has been achieved during another cooperative year of collaboration and activity. Country SA PHN greatly values our relationship with our Community Advisory Committees and the range of information they provide on local health and social issues. They are an integral part of our Strategic Engagement.
Mental Health commissioning continues to be Country SA PHN’s most significant portfolio of activity. Our Mental Health team is growing to accommodate the ongoing and new initiatives we have undertaken. The Head to Health phone service and the associated Medicare Mental Health Centres are progressing well. The Mount Gambier centre continues to provide an excellent service, and the Port Pirie and Mount Barker sites are in train – with the Port Pirie Medicare Mental Health Service now providing service. This expansion of collective programs prescribed by the Commonwealth through our commissioning activities remains a critical pillar of mental health and alcohol and drug support for country South Australian communities.
This has included the Department of Health and Aged Care directing activity across other portfolios through initiatives such as the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (MUCC). The first in country South Australia opened in Mount Gambier and was officially launched by Assistant Minister McBride in March 2024. The Mount Gambier MUCC has treated more than 5,200 patients from this time in 2023-24 – significantly relieving pressure on the Mount Gambier Hospital Emergency Department and helping people to get the urgent treatment they need from highly qualified General Practitioners and nurses. MUCCs offer walk-in, bulk billed services increasing access and equity for all.
Our country South Australian ageing population has continued to grow and require adequate resourcing. Our Ageing and Palliative Care team has been working with Residential Aged Care Homes, service providers and the community to ensure our focus on ageing well in place can be achieved.
The Primary Care Support team has continued to offer significant support to all country South Australian General Practices. These important relationships have been further strengthened to in turn assist our rural and remote communities to access efficient and effective primary health services.
The Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) that Country SA PHN proudly launched in December 2022 has continued to grow and gain awareness and traction right across our region. RHIF provides an exciting
opportunity to enhance and support country South Australian’s innovative and holistic health and wellbeing outcomes. Through the inaugural grant round in March 2023 RHIF provided funding opportunities for community led programs to drive initiatives that support positive outcomes for our rural communities. It has been inspiring to see the level of passion the round one grant recipients have for their chosen initiatives and the resulting positive outcomes. The recipients demonstrated a breadth of innovative health solutions for their local communities – ranging from mental health and chronic health condition challenges to innovative ways to improve connectivity for regional communities to access health and wellbeing services. Many of these initiatives have proved so successful they have now been embedded as ongoing activities in their communities. It has been heartening to see the engagement, connectivity and capacity building that these initiatives have achieved.
Throughout 2023-2024 Country SA PHN has continued its commitment to the principles of reconciliation. As Chief Executive Officer, I am humbled by this commitment. It is a privilege to stand with the oldest continuing culture on the planet as we walk towards a truly reconciled future. Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group has been guided by the principles of our draft Innovate RAP. The creation and embodiment of our draft Innovate RAP provides our whole organisation with a set of guiding principles for us to adhere to. We apply this lens across all our decision-making processes right across the organisation. We are fortunate to be able to collaborate with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to understand and support implementation of community based culturally appropriate solutions that are most suited to supporting their own communities.
Country SA PHN has continued to demonstrate good governance and financial stewardship. Prudent management of resources has seen us continue to be a leader across the PHN network regarding efficiency and productivity. Country SA PHN ensures that approximately 85% of expenditure is used to commission frontline services, with corporate expenditure being well managed.
I would also like to recognise our commissioned service providers. Country SA PHN enjoys good productive working relationships with our service providers. These relationships are integral to supporting the best results for our communities and ensuring that we are working toward our mission to bridge the gap in health inequity for country South Australians. I would like to thank our commissioned service providers for their ongoing diligence, commitment and local expertise to provide Commonwealth funded activity tailored to their individual communities across country South Australia.
These productive relationships are vital to achieving our vision for better health and wellbeing for all country South Australians. I would like to extend my thanks to all those with whom we have collaborated with during 2023-2024 - from the communities we serve, to small community groups, to key stakeholders and everyone in between we acknowledge the role you have played in improving the health and wellbeing of rural South Australian communities. I would also like to acknowledge our team at Country SA PHN. Our staff are diligent, passionate, professionals who are committed to our communities and improving their health and wellbeing outcomes.
I look forward to continuing our work as we strive to bridge the gap in health inequity for country South Australians.
Mark Hartigan Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Action Plan
At Country SA PHN we are committed to adhering to the principles of, and advancing, reconciliation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities form a significant part of the collective country South Australian community. Their diverse range of histories, experience, culture and languages enrich and help form our collective individual and community perspective.
We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a long and intricate relationship with Country, and we celebrate their diverse culture and heritage. We are committed to reconciliation and building respect, relationships and understanding between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people. We do this through our personal and professional spheres of influence through education and awareness.
Country SA PHN is fortunate to have direct relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, peak bodies, key stakeholders, Aboriginal Community Controlled
Health Organisations and commissioned service providers. In these partnerships we recognize that self-determination achieves the most appropriate, effective and long-lasting health and wellbeing solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in country South Australia.
“At Country SA PHN we are privileged to have this direct connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in country South Australia,” said Country SA PHN Chief Executive Officer Mark Hartigan.
“We are acutely aware of the complexities, histories, traditions, languages and cultures that form a delicate web.
“This richness and diversity mean that no two communities are the same – the needs of those communities are as unique as the people who inhabit them.”
We actively stride along our reconciliation journey in our day-to-day activities by applying a lens that is respectful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples to our decision-making right across the organisation. To embed the principles and purpose of reconciliation and assist our actions we have a dedicated Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working group. Established in 2019 the RAP working group led the creation of the Country SA PHN Reflect RAP that was endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. Throughout 2023-24 the RAP working group has been creating and guided along the next step on our reconciliation journey – the Innovate RAP.
The Country SA PHN RAP working group is comprised of staff members representing all our organisation’s portfolios. Each member brings a unique individual skill set, ideas, perspectives and experiences to share at our monthly meetings to develop the most appropriate collective outcomes.
RAPs are based around three core pillars –relationships, respect and opportunities. These pillars are also reflected in our Strategic Plan through our foundational values of respect, accountability, innovation and the building of strong authentic relationships.
Throughout 2023-24 Country SA PHN embedded these core pillars across the organisation, including through the following activities:
Organisation wide acknowledgement and promotion of NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week 2024 with posters throughout our office sites, communication, design and facilitation of staff led events throughout the weeks and sharing awareness of these weeks and their significance across our social media channels and through our Country SA PHN email signature banners and video call backgrounds.
Completion of the RAP Measurement Impact Questionnaire. This is an annual opportunity to reflect on and collate our endeavours to support reconciliation during 2023-24.
We continued the ongoing important task of raising broad awareness of reconciliation via our social media channels, and the Country SA PHN website, including annual days of recognition such as Mabo Day, National Sorry Day and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.
The artwork created by Aboriginal artist Shane Mankitya Cook for our Reflect and Innovate RAPs continues to effectively demonstrate Country SA PHN’s commitment to reconciliation. This original artwork is proudly displayed at our main office in Nuriootpa and is shown throughout all other Country SA PHN offices. It is used across our many communication channels to create awareness and discussion about our reconciliation journey.
RAPs enable organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.
Reconciliation Australia
During National Reconciliation Week events were held at our offices across country South Australia including Nuriootpa and Mount Barker and other staff participated online from various parts of the state. These events featured the sharing of and conversations about Indigenous foods from an Aboriginal-owned organisation called Something Wild
A Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group planning day was held to ensure continued good governance, and the reinvigoration of the working group including the introduction of passionate new staff members who had recently joined the organisation.
Approval in September 2023 of Country SA PHN’s Anti-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, which focuses on the organisation’s commitment to a respectful, safe working environment which is free from all forms of discrimination. This strongly aligns with our draft Innovate RAP Action 4, which focuses on promoting positive race relations through anti-discrimination strategies.
Throughout 2023-24 Country SA PHN continued to engage with and commission Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other providers to deliver effective, culturally appropriate health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and upskill workforces to enhance capacity such as Allocation of Workforce Development Grants to enhance capacity of staff members of organisations such as Pangula Mannamurna Health Corporation.
Broadly these include collaboration in the areas of chronic disease management, workforce support, Ngangkari (traditional healer) services, mental health and alcohol and other drug programs and health navigation; such as commissioning Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation to deliver the Access to Chronic Disease Management Support service and the Integrated Team Care service delivered by Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation.
Our ongoing commitment to the development of our Innovate RAP as part of one of the five dimensions of reconciliation – Institutional Integrity.
Aligned with another of the five dimensions of reconciliation: Historical acceptance and race relations, we commit to the delivery of cultural sensitivity and respect training for all Country SA PHN staff, country South Australian general practice staff and our commissioned service providers.
Country SA PHN’s Primary Care team developed user-friendly education bundles for general practices to target specific communities with health information through their smart phones. These featured Aboriginal local community leaders discussing important topics including Advance Care Planning, Palliative Care and End of Life Care.
The Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Inc. was a round one Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) grant recipient during 2023-24. Country SA PHN enables RHIF to achieve its vision for better health and wellbeing for all country South Australians. The Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service’s initiative created a heart conditions awareness campaign. This included the purchasing of four defibrillators and associated equipment, to bolster community heart health safety in Port Lincoln.
Looking forward
Country SA PHN is committed to continuing our journey toward reconciliation. Aligning with our Strategic Plan values of relationships, respect, accountability and innovation, we view our reconciliation activities as crucial in our aim to improve health equity for the people in regional South Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Rural Health Innovation Fund
Country SA PHN’s Rural Health Innovation Fund has grown its footprint and impact throughout 2023-24.
Through the inaugural grant round in March 2023, RHIF has provided funding opportunities for community-led programs to drive initiatives that support innovative, positive health and wellbeing outcomes for our rural communities.
The Rural Health Innovation Fund or RHIF as it is affectionately known was officially launched in December 2022 as a new and exciting opportunity to drive health care improvements for country South Australians. Country SA PHN enables RHIF to achieve its vision for better health and wellbeing for all country South Australians.
“We are passionate about supporting rural communities by strengthening and encouraging innovative programs that will have lasting impacts,” said Doctor Simon Lockwood, Chair of the Board of Directors.
“RHIF will create positive change through supporting community-based programs that address the diverse health, and wellbeing needs of the community.”
RHIF was honoured to hear from a diverse range of country South Australians and listen to the needs of our individual communities. The round one grant recipients demonstrated a breadth of integrative health solutions for their local communities –ranging from mental health and chronic health condition challenges to innovative ways to improve connectivity for regional communities to access health and wellbeing services. These initiatives have evidenced successful outcomes, and many are now embedded as ongoing activities within their communities. It has been heartening to see the engagement, connection, and capacitybuilding that these initiatives have achieved.
Country SA PHN is pleased to facilitate the Rural Health Innovation Fund to create opportunities for communities to run their own initiatives based on individual
Chief Executive Officer Mark Hartigan
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Community Heart Safety First Initiative
This initiative increased awareness of heart disease and emergency preparedness and significantly improved heart safety for the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Community through the installation of defibrillators and associated training.
Approximately 6.6 per cent of Port Lincoln’s 13,100 population are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous Australians are at a higher risk of heart failure compared to non-Indigenous Australians, with a prevalence ratio of 1.7 and an age-adjusted mortality ratio greater than 23.
The Community Heart Safety First 2023 initiative has made a significant impact on heart safety in Port Lincoln, showcasing the importance of such health interventions in rural communities.
Port Vincent Progress Association - Port Vincent Community Health and Wellbeing Initiative
This initiative included weekly exercise classes at the Port Vincent Institute. Nearly half of all adults in outer regional areas don’t meet physical activity guidelinesincreasing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of chronic diseases by up to 30%. Preventive health initiatives reduce healthcare costs, improve quality of life and increase social inclusion.
Over 12 months, 950 attendees (about 475 unique individuals) participated in weekly exercise classes reducing chronic disease risk and enhancing mental health.
The Port Vincent Community Health and Wellbeing Initiative has demonstrated significant positive impacts on the community, particularly among the elderly, by promoting regular physical activity and preventive health measures.
Barunga Village ‘Stepping-On’ Initiative
The Stepping-On initiative aimed to increase education, prevent falls, and boost physical activity for seniors over 65 years living in the communities of Port Broughton, Clare, Kadina, and Port Pirie. Nearly a quarter of these populations are aged over 65 years and are living independently.
Guided by a Fitness Instructor and a Physiotherapist, the initiative also aimed to connect seniors at risk of social isolation, engaging them within the community. Collaborative interest was garnered from locally aligned health professionals, including pharmacists.
This program not only enhanced physical health and safety for seniors but also fostered social connections, contributing to overall wellbeing in the community.
We are so grateful to the Rural Health Innovation Fund for this grant... It enables the extension of our popular community exercise classes allowing participants to continue on their health and [wellbeing] journey and achieve their goals.
Port Vincent Progress Association Assistant
Treasurer Sue Hall
Hawker Community Development Board gym enhancement
This initiative aimed to upgrade gym facilities and install a large screen for remote training. The project focused on promoting physical activity and health, particularly benefiting the older generation.
Almost half of Hawker’s approximately 300 people do not meet physical activity guidelines, increasing their risk of chronic diseases and mental health issues.
Enhancing the gym attracted both new and existing members to increase their physical activity. The introduction of new equipment and remote training opportunities has notably benefited the physical fitness of the older generation.
The community now enjoys improved access to modern fitness resources, promoting healthier lifestyles. The initiative fostered community support and overall wellbeing, creating a more active and health-conscious community.
Activate by The Embrace Collective Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier
The Activate initiative, led by the Embrace Collective focused on youth events designed to boost body image and enhance overall health and wellbeing through the lens of mental health. The initiative aimed to create a supportive environment for addressing body image issues and developing healthy coping strategies.
The Embrace Collective collaborated with local schools, sporting groups and organisations, and health professionals in Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier and surrounds. It was identified that approximately 20 per cent of young people in these communities face challenges related to poor body image.
The initiative engaged local councils and headspace, with contributions from MC Mikaela McCallum, who shared her lived experiences.
The “Activate” initiative by the Embrace Collective has demonstrated significant positive impacts on youth in both Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier, addressing critical mental health challenges and fostering a supportive community environment.
Riverland Youth Theatre
The Riverland Allied Health Arts Festival was a vibrant three-day event held in Renmark, Monash and Berri that provided invaluable opportunities for individuals living with disabilities and their primary carers. The festival featured accessible art workshops, insightful talks with health professionals, and sensory spaces designed to cater to all participants.
Approximately 6.1% of the Riverland region surrounding Berri lives with a disability, facing diverse challenges such as mobility issues, chronic illnesses, and mental health conditions.
By raising awareness and promoting accessibility and inclusivity through the arts, the festival offered essential support and referral pathways for vulnerable individuals and their families. The festival attended by almost 300 people was a testament to the power of the arts in bridging gaps and creating inclusive and supportive environments. The partnerships between artists and health professionals, and the outcomes they achieved, highlight the potential for ongoing collaborations.
Diabetes SA Initiative on the Yorke Peninsula
Between nine and 12 per cent of the Yorke Peninsula’s population of 27,101 have Type 2 diabetes. To increase rural awareness, identify prediabetes, and promote healthy behaviours Diabetes SA held a health information and screening space at the Yorke Peninsula Field Days.
Diabetes SA engaged with approximately 1,000 attendees (30.3% to 41.0% of at-risk community members or those already challenged with Type 2 diabetes). This significant reach underscores the initiative’s impact on improving diabetes awareness and management in the region.
This initiative successfully increased awareness of Type 2 diabetes risk, prevention, and support for people with diabetes, elevated health literacy, healthcare access, and overall wellbeing for diverse and vulnerable demographics.
The positive feedback and substantial participation rates underscore the initiatives’ success in addressing community needs and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Our Town Ceduna Side X Side, Mateship for Life program
RHIF’s support for this initiative highlighted its dedication to mental health and community wellbeing. Approximately half of Ceduna’s approximately 2,290 people are male. This initiative engaged 106 men, representing just under half of the local male population -highlighting the community’s proactive approach to mental wellbeing and the initiative’s significant reach.
This initiative facilitated important discussions, provided support, and created community engagement, with potential for ongoing collaboration among attendees and stakeholders. The enthusiastic participation of organizers and attendees indicates potential for continued relationships, more collaborative events, resource sharing, and networking opportunities.
The “Side X Side, Mateship for Life” initiative significantly impacted the Ceduna community by fostering a supportive environment for men of diverse age groups. It facilitated meaningful interactions and discussions, building camaraderie and support among participants. The initiative also raised awareness of mental health issues and the importance of social connections, contributing to overall wellbeing.
Whyalla Men’s Shed health literacy initiative
This initiative aimed to hold monthly empowering information sessions to improve health and service literacy and knowledge to access health and support services.
Whyalla’s population of approximately 21,894, has a significant elderly population (10.9% aged over 65 years). Men in this region are statistically more vulnerable to health literacy issues, making this initiative crucial.
The Whyalla Men’s Shed health literacy initiative significantly impacted vulnerable men in Whyalla. The initiative had approximately 30 attendees, representing 72% of regular Shed attendees.
The initiative facilitated important discussions, provided support, and fostered community engagement, with potential for ongoing collaboration. It addressed a critical regional need by improving health literacy among vulnerable men.
Round one impact
The RHIF funding has empowered recipients to successfully implement innovative health programs, reinforcing their roles as primary healthcare service providers. They have not only enhanced service delivery but also cultivated valuable partnerships with local healthcare professionals and community groups, amplifying the organisations’ capacity to deliver impactful health programs and laying the groundwork for future initiatives.
RHIF’s support of these initiatives has demonstrated its dedication to improving rural health outcomes, solidifying its status as a pivotal contributor to community health.
Round One’s success has highlighted RHIF’s capacity to drive positive change through targeted funding and support, encouraging further investments in like projects.
RHIF has played an imperative role in steering, and sustaining these initiatives, ensuring their alignment with broader health aims and facilitating their successful implementation.
Looking forward
Following the successes of RHIF’s round one grant initiatives, applications for round two grants have been just as innovative and inspiring. RHIF is thankful to all those who applied for round two grants.
RHIF looks forward to continuing to support innovative programs across regional South Australia, alongside engaging with communities to increase opportunities for country South Australians to maintain and improve their health and wellbeing.
Country SA PHN Strategic Plan
Country SA PHN’s Strategic Plan outlines our organisational objectives and priorities and is underpinned by our values.
It forms our foundation - guiding our activities and our decision-making right across the organisation from needs assessments, program design and evaluation, and commissioning, through to communications.
The Strategic Plan is embedded across the Board of Directors, the Executive Team and all staff in each Country SA PHN portfolio: Commissioning, Performance, Quality and Information Systems, Health System Integration and Innovation, Corporate Services, Strategic Engagement and Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy.
Our portfolio’s activity is underpinned by our values. These values form the cornerstone of all that we do.
To further enhance and embed these values across the organisation, Country SA PHN formed a Values, Rewards and Recognition Group in May 2024. Chaired by our Executive Manager –Strategic Engagement, the working group develops strategies to ensure Country SA PHN continues to uphold our values and work effectively towards our objectives.
The consistent application of our values is crucial in achieving our Strategic Plan’s three objectives.
The following articles will highlight how the Strategic Plan’s three objectives and four priorities are embedded across the organisation and the way this manifests itself in practical outcomes for the health and wellbeing of country South Australians.
Objectives
Increase health equity amongst our communities
Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care services
Work with communities to enable access to the right care in the right place at the right time
Our Values
Relationships
we build genuine, strong and authentic relationships
Respect
we are inclusive, understanding and fair-minded in all our interactions
Accountability
we are transparent, trustworthy, responsible and hold ourselves to a higher standard
Innovative
we are curious, courageous and collaborative in delivering outcomes for our communities
Commission effective and efficient services that deliver health equity
Strategies
Design, commission and evaluate services that deliver positive outcomes for our communities
Apply a health equity lens to the procurement of services that responds to the needs of our priority communities
Assess providers against agreed outcomes
Facilitate local capacity for the delivery of responsive, sustainable services
Strategies
Deliver a robust, contemporary, data-driven assessment of health needs and priorities in our communities
Create opportunities for collaboration and partnerships that strengthen primary health care outcomes
Deliver practical, tangible support to local primary health care services
Build skill, capability and knowledge within our primary health care providers to support their local community
Three
Improve people’s experience of primary health care
Strategies
Support general practice as the cornerstone of primary health care
Aim to keep people well and out of hospital by supporting primary health providers
Engage with communities and embrace local voices as a conduit for advocacy and feedback
Develop and share meaningful insights to enhance evidence-based decision making
Four
Practice responsible and effective corporate and clinical governance
Strategies
Develop a suite of performance measures that demonstrates achievement of the strategic plan
Set and maintain appropriate expectations and standards of corporate and clinical governance and oversight
Advocate for good governance to relevant stakeholders where appropriate
Priority One
Commission effective and efficient services that deliver health equity
Strategies
Design, commission and evaluate services that deliver positive outcomes for our communities
Apply a health equity lens to the procurement of services that responds to the needs of our priority communities
Assess providers against agreed outcomes
Country SA PHN’s key priority is to commission effective and efficient primary health services that close the gap in health inequity for country South Australians.
As detailed in our Strategic Plan, Country SA PHN’s strategies to achieve this priority include designing, commissioning and evaluating positive primary health services for country South Australians. This involves applying a health equity lens to service procurement, and the effective planning and support of such services.
Services
Services
Services
Services provided virtually to whole Country SA PHN region Virtual services
Barossa Hills Fleurieu
Eyre and Far North
Flinders and Upper North
Coast
Commissioning crucial services across country South Australia
Aligned with Country SA PHN’s Strategic Plan’s objective of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care services, one of our key tasks is to design and commission services that deliver health equity.
Country SA PHN’s region is extremely large, geographically covering all South Australia outside the metropolitan area – 99.8% of the state geographically and approximately 30% of South Australia’s population. The region includes many small and remote communities. Providing equitable primary health care services for such a disparate region provides its own unique challenges that require a strategic approach.
The commissioning cycle is a key component of the way Country SA PHN adds value to the health system and aims to meet this objective. The cycle focuses on commissioning services using local data, knowledge and relationships to ensure we are maximising access to health and wellbeing services for country South Australians.
The Commissioning Cycle
The commissioning cycle comprises three key phases. It assists Country SA PHN to achieve our aims in accountability, due process, probity and consistency in the use of funding for the commissioning of primary health services. Our cycle encompasses the development of our health service delivery from the health planning stage, through procurement and contracting activities, and comes full circle through the evaluation of programs and services.
Phase 1: Strategic Planning
The first phase of the cycle is strategic planning. This involves assessing the needs of the region and surrounds to identify gaps in services across the varied primary healthcare sector through our Country SA PHN needs assessment report. The 2022-25 report guides our commissioning decisions that were made throughout the 2023-24 period.
Country SA PHN’s Health System Integration and Innovation team is responsible for this early stage of the commissioning cycle, leveraging their population health expertise to ensure the most appropriate and evidenceinformed decisions are made by the organisation.
In addition to our local needs assessment, we are guided by the Department of Health and Aged Care. PHNs across Australia have seven priority areas:
1. Aboriginal Health
2. Aged Care
3. Alcohol and Other Drugs
4. Digital Health
5. Health Workforce
6. Mental Health
7. Population Health
Phase 2: Procuring Services
The second phase of the commissioning cycle is procuring services. It begins with the development of tender documents, distribution and promotion of requests for tender, review of tender proposals from a variety of external providers, followed by the selection and contracting of a provider to deliver the service. This robust process, performed across Country SA PHN jointly by the Health System Integration and Innovation team, and the Commissioning team, is required to ensure the most efficient and effective services are provided to country South Australians.
Phase 3: Monitoring and Evaluation
The third phase of the commissioning cycle is Monitoring and Evaluation. This phase involves gaining insights from service providers, to ensure effective delivery toward specific health and/or social outcomes in their area of focus. Important to note is that while this is the ‘final’ cycle stage, the work involved in monitoring and evaluation occurs across all stages of the commissioning process, through our performancebased commissioning approach.
Performance-based commissioning
Country SA PHN uses performance-based commissioning, drawing evidence from all stages of the commissioning cycle - from the needs assessments, to engaging with stakeholders including service providers and community to ensure appropriate, specific outcome measures are identified, developed, and tailored to each unique local community’s needs.
Steps involved in Country SA PHN’s service monitoring and evaluation, including outcome development and measurement, include:
• Identifying potential desired outcomes based on needs assessment
• Engaging with stakeholders, including state health department representatives, local community members with lived experience, and other stakeholders, to co-design the commissioned service. This engagement also helps inform the outcomes that are monitored and evaluated.
• Consideration of a service or potential service alongside Country SA PHN’s objectives as outlined in the Strategic Plan throughout engagement with stakeholders
• Collaborating with commissioned service providers to further refine the desired outcomes and develop methods for measuring these outcomes in their unique context, location, health area, and other widely varying circumstances.
• Meetings as required and appropriate between Country SA PHN and the service provider to provide monitoring and evaluation support toward achieving the defined target outcomes.
We’re proud of the robust and transparent performancebased commissioning processes in place, and we’re motivated to continue commissioning effective and efficient services for country South Australians, to meet our Strategic Plan’s objectives.
Chief Operating Officer Suzanne Delaney
Mount Barker Medicare Mental Health Centre
The development and implementation of the Mount Barker Medicare Mental Health Centre is an excellent example of performance-based commissioning in action. Its development has involved significant co-design activities facilitated by a range of stakeholders including Country SA PHN, SA Health (Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network), Department for Health and Wellbeing, the commissioned service provider Summit Health, lived experience representatives, South Australian Ambulance Service and South Australia Police as well as valuable input from the community of Mount Barker and surrounds.
During 2023-24 work toward this new Centre has been in the development phase. This has included fortnightly meetings with the Integrated Clinical Committee with representatives from the key stakeholders listed above. This collaboration has allowed joint decision making across all aspects of service delivery including the development of a plan for community involvement and co-design opportunities and targeted consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Centre design and operations through engagement by Imbala Consultancy to ensure the Centre offers a welcoming, culturally appropriate space.
We look forward to offering this new valuable Medicare Mental Health Centre to the people of Mount Barker and surrounds early in 2025.
The commissioning cycle comes full circle
Use of data from the many stages of this outcome-focused monitoring and evaluation are incorporated into future needs assessments. Thus, re-starting the commissioning cycle process with additional tailored, up-to-date information for commissioning future services for country South Australian communities.
Facilitate local capacity for the delivery of responsive, sustainable services
Strategies
Deliver a robust, contemporary, data-driven assessment of health needs and priorities in our communities
Create opportunities for collaboration and partnerships that strengthen primary health care outcomes
Deliver practical, tangible support to local primary health care services
Build skill, capability and knowledge within our primary health care providers to support their local community
Facilitating the capacity of local communities to help strengthen service delivery is a vital aspect of bridging the gap in health inequity in country South Australia.
Due to the regional and remote nature of our region, capacity building is essential for maintaining healthy communities. This is achieved by strengthening the capacity of local health services and health professionals as well as upskilling community members to have the capacity to support their peers and increase their connections to local primary health services.
The improved opportunities for collaboration that this community awareness enables, combined with a local health workforce with strengthened capacity, supports our Strategic Plan’s objectives to:
• increase health equity amongst our communities
• increase the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care services
• work with communities to enable access to the right care in the right place at the right time.
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Education sessions delivered to primary health care providers
Education and training
143
Primary care providers attending funded education and training
85.9% Participant satisfaction in education and training
Capacity building opportunities with primary health care partners
General Practice
Support Service
Aged Care
Committee
Hospital
Primary Health Service
Educational Service
Emergency Services
Other Health Services
Community Services
Consumer Groups
Pharmacy
Specialist Medical Services
Supporting Regional Communities: MATES in Construction
Country SA PHN facilitates local capacity building for country South Australian communities by commissioning programs such as MATES in Construction SA’s suicide prevention training.
Country SA PHN continued to fund MATES in Construction SA (MATES SA) throughout 2023-24 enabling them to build on the strong foundations established over previous years to expand and reach more country South Australian workers and community members across a diverse range of industries.
Capacity building is at the core of the MATES program - equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to identify when someone is struggling and connect them to the help they need. The three-tiered training model - General Awareness Training (GAT), Connector Training, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - empowers workers as they learn how to look out for their mates, not just at work but in their communities as well, helping create stronger, more connected communities.
In 2023-24, over 40 training sessions were delivered in country South Australia reaching close to a thousand workers and community members. Each session ends with a survey where participants can request follow-up support. Additionally, posttraining debriefs continue to offer a safe space for individuals to discuss personal challenges, ranging from mental health issues to past trauma, alcohol misuse, and relationship breakdowns.
The MATES program’s impact extends far beyond the training room. Feedback from follow-up surveys showed that 37% of participants had used the skills they learned to assist someone elsedemonstrating the effective way the program develops community capacity building in country South Australia.
An essential component of the MATES training is providing ongoing, meaningful support. The MATES model creates a peer-supported environment where people look out for each other every day, strengthening community resilience. With the continued support of Country SA PHN, MATES in Construction SA is not only preventing suicide but building a culture of care in country South Australian workplaces and beyond.
Survey Summary
93% agreed or strongly agreed they had learned the skills to notice signs or invitations that a workmate might be struggling with their mental health.
99% of respondents indicated the training had a positive or extremely positive impact on their workplace.
91% felt confident they could assist someone who needed help.
88% agreed or strongly agreed they would seek help if going through a difficult time, feeling upset, or thinking of suicide.
37% of respondents had used the skills learned in the training to assist a work colleague (52%), friend (38%), or a family member (23%).
14% had sought help for themselves.
Marilyn and Patrick were fantastic. They helped our group through this very informative training with empathy and confidence that was an obvious product of experience. I would approach either of them for advice helping others or support for myself without hesitation.
MATES SA Suicide Prevention Training Participant
Strengthening Medicare Grant support
Our Country SA PHN Primary Care and Digital Support team is central to supporting organisational objectives. The team provides wide ranging support to enable primary care providers to strengthen practice management. In 202324 this support included assisting country South Australian general practices with submitting their applications for Strengthening Medicare Grants. These Department of Health and Aged Care grants provided financial support for practices to invest in equipment, training or other activities related to digital health, infection prevention and control and accreditation.
Country SA PHN’s Primary Care Support team was committed to ensuring country South Australian general practices were able to access assistance the Strengthening Medicare Grants provided –allowing practices to continue to focus on patients while applying for grants to improve their capacity.
This strong engagement with general practices is just one of many ways in which we collaborate with primary healthcare and highlights the value that Country SA PHN provides in country South Australia. The work of our team directly reflects our commitment to our Strategic Plan’s second priority to facilitate local capacity for the delivery of responsive, sustainable services. This ties into our key objectives to increase health equity, through better efficiency and effectiveness of primary healthcare.
Use of Strengthening Medicare Grants across country South Australia
Enhancing digital health capability upgraded their software to provide increased digital services for their community.
Infection prevention and control focused on further strengthening of practice processes related to potentially infectious patients, including COVID-19 and influenza by purchasing new vaccine refrigerators and equipment sterilization units and upgrading the associated processes.
Accreditation
maintaining accreditation with the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioner (RACGP) Standards for General Practice - ensuring they will continue to achieve high levels of quality and safety.
A total of 144 country South Australian general practices received a Strengthening Medicare Grant. Country SA PHN assisted 7 practices who were initially deemed ineligible to successfully receive the grant.
GoShare Healthy Lifestyle Program
Country SA PHN supports primary care and country South Australian communities through the GoShare Healthy Lifestyle Program. This is a supportive program that seeks to address high levels of obesity and chronic conditions across country South Australia and support people to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
The GoShare Healthy Lifestyle program enables general practitioners to send targeted lifestyle information through videos directly to patients’ smart phones. These videos provide healthy lifestyle education and encouragement from health professionals and inspiring personal stories of country South Australians’ experiences incorporating healthy habits into their lives.
Renowned Co-Executive Director of the Embrace Collective Dr Zali Yager also shared her expertise to support general practitioners to appropriately engage with patients about the benefits a healthy lifestyle.
Question, Persuade, Refer Training
Another great example of community capacity building is the Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training. Throughout 2023-24 Country SA PHN funded anyone living in country South Australia to complete the training free of charge. QPR training involves three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. It provides participants with:
1. Knowledge and skills to identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal.
2. Confidence to talk about suicidal thoughts
3. Capacity to connect people with professional care and support
Looking ahead
Aligning with our Strategic Plan to deliver practical, tangible support, and build genuine, strong relationships, we look forward to continuing to support primary healthcare providers to build local community capacity to improve country South Australians’ health and wellbeing.
Improve people’s experience of primary health care Priority Three
Strategies
Support general practice as the cornerstone of primary health care
Aim to keep people well and out of hospital by supporting primary health providers
Engage with communities and embrace local voices as a conduit for advocacy and feedback
Develop and share meaningful insights to enhance evidence-based decision making
Improving people’s experience of primary health care is intrinsically linked to Country SA PHN’s vision of better health and wellbeing for all country South Australians.
We constantly strive toward this vision and priority by engaging with our communities and supporting primary health care providers. Working collaboratively across jurisdictions is essential to achieving this aim. Country SA PHN works with commissioned service providers to enhance regional South Australians’ experiences of primary health care, accounting for the challenges involved in accessing supports in South Australia’s rural and remote communities.
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Barossa Fleurieu Youth Clinical Care & Coordination (Youth CCC)
Country SA PHN’s Needs Assessment 2022-25 highlighted particularly high levels of psychological distress in the Barossa Hills Fleurieu region compared with other regions of country South Australia. The Needs Assessment further identified that demand was outstripping supply for youth services - resulting in young people remaining on waitlists for extended periods for other community-based services.
Country SA PHN engaged collaboratively with youth services in the region to discuss solutions. Following these discussions, Country SA PHN commissioned the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (LHN) to provide the Youth CCC service. A Youth Brief Intervention Clinician role was created within the Adelaide Hills Community Mental Health Team, with the State Funded Mental Health Team and Country SA PHN funded Mount Barker headspace working closely to coordinate this care.
Throughout 2023-24 and beyond the Barossa Hills Fleurieu LHN provided wrap around, coordinated care to eligible young people (16-24 years old and living with complex mental health needs). Operating without a waitlist, a senior clinician uses their expertise to identify and address longer term issues that may require an alternative model of care and can also refer people to other services as appropriate. As this clinician works within the SA Health system, they have strong connections with the state Mental Health team and other relevant youth specific services such as a Country SA PHN funded headspace centre. These strong relationships, in addition to the unique model of care coordination, assist in improving clients’ overall experience of the health system, helping where appropriate to prevent people from entering the hospital system.
These services support early identification and integrated treatment in the community, as well as increased access to responsive communitybased treatment options for those at-risk of severe mental illness. Locating Youth CCC services within primary care also has the advantage of being able to provide more accessible, recovery-focused care.
863 sessions were provided with 118 young people receiving clinical service.
Looking ahead
In addition to commissioning this vital youth mental health service, Country SA PHN also engages and collaborates with the Barossa Hills Fleurieu LHN to discuss the interconnection of youth mental health services in the region. This service has demonstrated its capacity to bridge the gap for young people in the Barossa, Hills, Fleurieu region. Country SA PHN is pleased to have commissioned this service for another financial year to support the mental health needs of young people in this region strongly aligning with our strategic plan - helping us work toward better health equity for country South Australian communities.
Program activities building connection to Country
Ngarrindjeri-led Coorong (Kurrungk) boat trip, where young people connected to Country by exploring the local area and engaging with a Ngarrindjeri Elder. The group visited sacred sites and shared stories.
First Nations youth celebration, hosted in collaboration with Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service and AC Care. This event facilitated celebration and appreciation of culture and sharing of stories, while providing an opportunity for community engagement and artistic expression.
Art workshops with young people were held in Meningie, resulting in a new mural at a local skate park. These workshops focused on Indigenous art techniques, as well as cultural symbolism.
Building Connection to Country on Ngarrindjeri Lands
Aboriginal Health is one of seven key priority areas for PHN’s across Australia. Bridging the gap in health inequity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in country South Australia is a central component of Country SA PHNs daily activity. This lens is applied across the organization and imbedded in our Strategic Plan. Providing access to culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Country is a crucial way we support communities to access quality primary health care.
An example is the Targeted Psychosocial Services that Country SA PHN commission iReach to deliver for Aboriginal Young People living on the Ngarrindjeri Lands. The program runs cultural camps for young people 16 years and over experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, severe mental illness. Staff engage with young people who attend the camps, as well as connecting with young people during community engagement activities held in conjunction with headspace Murray Bridge.
Relationship building activities held throughout 2023-24 resulted in excellent camp attendance and high levels of participation and engagement. Country SA PHN collaborates with and supports our commissioned service providers throughout activity implementation. We work side by side with our commissioned providers to gather learnings and local insights from program delivery and to assist where appropriate to strengthen and optimise future service delivery. This ensures the services we commission meet our priority to commission effective and efficient services that deliver health equity.
Community Advisory Committees
Embracing local voices through our Community Advisory Committees (CAC) is critical to Country SA PHN’s priority of improving people’s experience of primary health care.
CACs engage with the community to ensure commissioned services are patient centred, cost effective, locally relevant, and aligned to existing local care.
The CACs meet regularly, providing an opportunity to gather a range of information on local health needs and issues affecting the community. CAC members bring a range of local and professional skills to contribute to an effective committee environment. Country SA PHN values the experience and knowledge CACs provide as well as their contribution to positively impact the health and wellbeing of their local communities.
In November 2023 Country SA PHN’s Strategic Engagement team facilitated a Community Advisory Committee Forum with representation from across the CAC network. Our Community Advisory Committees are:
• Barossa Local Health Cluster
• Far West Local Health Cluster
• Fleurieu Region Community Services Advisory Committee
• Limestone Coast Community Services Roundtable
• Lower Eyre Local Health Cluster
• Mid North Local Health Cluster
• Riverland Community Services Alliance
• Roxby Downs Health Forum
• Upper Eyre Local Health Cluster
The opportunity to gather face to face is important for Country SA PHN and our CACs as the committees represent regions across country South Australia. It was beneficial to come together to share information and learn from each other’s experiences.
Country SA PHN staff members engaged with our CACs on the organisation’s commissioning process and increased awareness around our portfolios including the work done for Health System Innovation and Integration and with Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs.
The forum also provided the opportunity for the CACs representatives to engage with Country SA PHN Board Chair and members, Chief Executive Officer, and Executives.
This strong community engagement highlights just one example of how we apply the Strategic Plan priorities and strategies toward better health equity for country South Australians.
Collaboration throughout the day among the CACs and Country SA PHN led to the formation of the following shared goals
Purpose
Foster a shared vision of purpose that reflects the Strategic Plan priorities of Country SA PHN
Reach
Encourage the Community Advisory Committees to remain connected and communicate with their membership base
Communication
Efficient sharing of Community Advisory Committees activities and Country SA PHN programs of work
Empower
Encourage the Community Advisory Committees to strengthen their independent governance and sustainability
The opportunity to gather face to face is important for Country SA PHN and our CACs as the committees represent regions across country South Australia. It was beneficial to come together to share information and learn from each other’s experiences.
Supporting primary care workforce
Another direct way that Country SA PHN supports our Strategic Plan’s third priority - improving country South Australians’ experience of primary healthcare – is supporting those working in primary health, in particular, general practices to provide their communities with quality care. Throughout 2023-24 Country SA PHN has supported primary health care providers in a myriad of ways.
The Primary Care and Digital Support team established a monthly remote Practice Manager Network meeting in 2021 in response to the cessation of face-to-face visiting during COVID-19. On request, a Practice Nurse network meeting commenced in April 2024 and was well attended by nurses from all regions of country South Australia.
Both the practice manager and nurse meetings are informal and provide the opportunity for practice staff to exchange information, receive Country SA PHN updates of current activities and to network with practice staff from different regions. The sharing of information and links from the meetings are provided to all practices if staff are unable to attend.
Information provided in the sessions include:
Country SA PHN current activities
Quality Improvement activities
Digital Health updates
Accreditation
Immunisation
Emergency Response Planning Tool
GoShare activities
Initial Assessment and Referral
National Cancer Screening
Country SA PHN educational events
Health literacy
Open discussion (Question and Answer) session
Primary care and digital health team activities
A key component of the support that the Primary Care and Digital Health Team provide is regular face to face visits to all general practices throughout country South Australia. These visits provide an invaluable opportunity to support general practices in their own environment and allows them to continue to provide their core function of providing primary health care to their communities. During these practice visits our team offers support in digital health, quality improvement and GoShare activities.
Country SA PHN commissions Doctors’ Health SA to provide the Healthy Doctors program. These events provide updates on the latest services and support for country South Australian doctors as well as the sharing of insights into maintaining wellbeing and productivity while working. The program also offers networking opportunities among those working in general practice right across country South Australia.
Encouraging and facilitating strong connections among primary healthcare professionals is crucial for increased collaboration across the geographically distanced and diverse regions of country South Australia. Country SA PHN is proud to support primary health care professionals to provide quality health care for their communities.
Digital Health
• PRODA – Health Professionals Online Services Support, Organisation setup, Practice Incentive Payments, MyMedicare, Australian Immunisation Register, National Authentication Service for Health renewal, Australian General Practice Training Program
• Telehealth - Health Direct
• Electronic Prescriptions
• eReferrals
• Secure messaging
• Provider Connect Australia
• General Practice Aged Care Incentives
• My Health Record, My Health App, Shared Health Summaries
Quality Improvement
• Data submission support
• PenCat support
• Market Insights
• Plan Do Study Act cycle templates
• GoShare Plus
GoShare Activities
• Shingles
• Diabetes
• Immunisation
• Pneumococcal
• Healthy Lifestyle Program
• Cancer Screening
• Reminders and recalls for chronic disease
• COVID-19 Immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Quality Improvement activities
Practice responsible and effective corporate and clinical governance
Strategies
Develop a suite of performance measures that demonstrates achievement of the strategic plan
Set and maintain appropriate expectations and standards of corporate and clinical governance and oversight
Advocate for good governance to relevant stakeholders where appropriate
Responsible and effective corporate and clinical governance is a central pillar of Country SA PHN’s ability to reach towards our goals and vision of increased health equity for all country South Australians.
Good governance ensures that Country SA PHN can perform efficiently, effectively, and with integrity while also adapting to changing environments to ensure sustainability and innovation.
During 2023-24 Country SA PHN refreshed much of our corporate documentation including developing our Health Access and Equity Framework and our Environmental Sustainability Plan.
At the core of this Framework is a commitment to ensuring every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to access safe, culturally appropriate high-quality health care in country South Australia.
Health Access and Equity Framework 2023-2026
Increasing health equity among our communities is one of Country SA PHN’s key Strategic Plan objectives and is therefore central to our activities. Our vision is for country South Australians to have equal access to high-quality healthcare and the opportunity to achieve optimal health outcomes.
The development of the Health Access and Equity Framework was grounded in a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to health disparities including social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic inequality. We recognize that addressing these complex issues requires a multi-faceted approach that involves long term commitment to collaboration across sectors and communities. The Framework was developed following valuable input from Country SA PHN staff and other key stakeholders including client groups and commissioned service providers.
Our Health Access and Equity Framework’s guiding principles are:
• Recognising the impact of the social determinants of health
• Promoting access to quality healthcare
• Reducing systemic prejudice and discrimination
• Strengthening rural voices
• Fostering collaboration and partnerships
• Measuring and monitoring progress
Development of the Framework:
• Early 2023: Board endorsed the development of a health opportunity/equity focused framework.
• September 2023: Board endorsed draft Country SA PHN Access and Equity Framework.
• September to October 2023: Draft Framework consultation process completed with external and internal stakeholders with feedback incorporated. Consultation feedback was overwhelmingly positive toward the initiative and its objective.
Underpins the value and effectiveness of strategic priorities
Enables people in our community an equal opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life
Health inequities are costly for the health system and contribute to capacity pressures
Is a matter of social justice and human rights
Failing to address health inequities contributes to discrimination and further disadvantage
Several factors can influence health inequities experienced by people in regional South Australia including geography, housing, food security, and socioeconomic status.
The Socio-Economic Index for Areas for relative socio-economic disadvantage describes a person’s relative social and economic position based on a combination of factors related to: educational attainment; income or level of occupation; housing; and family structure. Lower socio-economic status is a known contributor to increased complexity, and poorer health access and outcomes.
On average persons in the Country SA PHN region are more socio-economically disadvantaged than South Australians and Australians as a whole.
To focus Country SA PHN’s efforts toward addressing factors contributing to health inequities, the Health Access and Equity Framework includes the following priority areas for action:
Show leadership and commitment to equity as strategic priority
Future steps include finalising and publishing a Framework Action Plan
Address systemic barriers
Supporting action on local determinants of health will be a key step
Embed health equity into the work we do
Supporting general practices and commissioned service providers to implement health equity competencies will be a key step forward
Engage with communities
Future steps include strengthening diverse representation within organisational governance, leadership, working groups and advisory groups
Use data and evidence to support action
Improving data collection systems and reporting requirements will facilitate better collection of equityfocused data
964
SEIFA score for country
South Australians
Major Cities of Australia
Inner Regional Australia
Outer Regional Australia
Remote Australia
Very Remote Australia
985
SEIFA score for South Australians
1000
SEIFA score for Australians
Adelaide PHN
• Roxby Downs
• Ceduna
Port Augusta • Whyalla • • Port Pirie
• Kadina Berri • • Nuriootpa
• Murray Bridge
• Victor Harbor Kingscote •
Mount Gambier • Naracoorte •
• Port Lincoln
• Mount Barker
Underpinning the ESP is an Action Plan that details the early activities that will help us achieve the desired outcomes. These actions will contribute to a reduced environmental footprint, while providing a platform for future goals.
Dr Simon Lockwood Board Chair
Next steps
The Country SA PHN Health Access and Equity Framework is a roadmap for continuing to strengthen our processes to ensure we can move efficiently toward better health equity through the creation of a stronger, more accessible and equitable health system.
Acknowledging that health inequities are a complex, multifaceted issue Country SA PHN will continue to engage with our key stakeholders to ensure that appropriate and effective strategies are employed toward our health equity goal and to ensure that our work in this area remains responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.
The next steps for Country SA PHN include developing an ‘Action Plan’ that will detail roles, responsibilities and desired outcomes, followed by implementation and evaluation procedures. We look forward to putting these measures in place, so that we can optimize our organizational governance toward progressing our Strategic Plan objective to bridge the health equity gap for all country South Australians.
Country SA PHN Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP) 2023-2030
A key aspect of good organizational governance is setting and maintaining appropriate standards of corporate processes, procedures and accountability. While all organisations have a responsibility to improve their environmental sustainability, health-focused organisations such as Country SA PHN have interests that particularly align with climate action.
The Country SA PHN Environmental Sustainability Plan has been developed in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These goals were agreed by world leaders in 2015 and include taking urgent action against climate change. Aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, our Environmental Sustainability Plan aims to contribute to a cleaner, greener future - reducing our ecological footprint.
Country SA PHN is committed to integrating sustainable and ethical considerations across all aspects of our organization. By doing so, we can identify new opportunities for innovation, efficiency and growth, while addressing global challenges and contributing to meaningful solutions for a better future.
Development of Environmental Sustainability Plan:
• September 2023: Country SA PHN Board supported the proposed approach
• November 2023: Country SA PHN staff consulted and provided feedback
• February 2024: Final version submitted to the Board for noting
• March 2024: Activity on identified actions commenced
Activities that highlight Country SA PHN’s actions aligned with this plan:
• Development of an overarching communications plan, including plans for key messaging and awareness raising among Country SA PHN staff
• Utilisation of regular policy review cycles as an opportunity to include environmental considerations.
“Country SA PHN is dedicated to implementing the Environmental Sustainability Plan organisation-wide, to help contribute to a better world. We take this initiative seriously and look forward to continuing this important work long into the future.” said Dr Simon Lockwood, Chair of the Board.
Leadership and Innovation Inspiring positive change
Business Operations Integrating conscious practices
