National Suicide Prevention Trial Extended in Country North
12 Febrary 2019
National Suicide Prevention Trial Extended in Country North
The National Suicide Prevention Trial has been extended until June 2021 throughout the Country North region as part of the Federal Government’s national approach to suicide prevention. Country SA PHN Chief Executive Officer Kim Hosking says the announcement is great news for the community – ensuring the momentum created over the past three years continues. “The extra million dollars in funding allows us to sustain the significant work already achieved in the region across many services,” said Mr Hosking. “For example, more than 3,000 people, approximately five per cent of the adult population in the trial region have done Question Persuade Refer training - helping the community to recognise and respond to suicidality. We can now extend this level of awareness even further.”
Point of Care Testing initiative designed to accelerate benefits for patients, practices
14 October 2019
Point of Care Testing initiative designed to accelerate benefits for patients, practices
One of the key challenges faced by patients and health providers in regional and remote areas of
Australia is the turnaround time usually required to access test results that are often key to the
treatment and management of illnesses.
That’s why Point of Care Testing (PoCT) is so important. As the name suggests, the testing and
analysis happens at the front line, providing faster access to test results and enabling more rapid
clinical decision making, treatment and interventions.
Now a new report commissioned by Country SA PHN aims to accelerate these benefits for patients
and general practice, with a six point of care tests initiative available for practices to start using.
The initiative is being launched at today’s National Point of Care Testing Scientific Education Meeting
at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Bowel Cancer Screening Awareness
5 June 2019
Bowel Cancer Screening Awareness
Health organisations are urging all country South Australians aged over 50 and those who have any potential bowel cancer symptoms to ‘Get Screened and Get on With Living’ as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening program.
Keen to help spread the word is 48 year-old Clare viticulturist and father of four, Scott (Scooter) Smith. A few years ago Scooter had what he now knows were bowel cancer symptoms. He didn’t think too much of it at the time and carried on. But when Scooter continued to have blood in his stools, he knew he needed to get himself checked out.
New Mental Health Program for Barossa Aged Care Residents
14 May 2019
New Mental Health Program for Barossa Aged Care Residents
Residents at two Barossa aged care facilities are taking part in a pilot program that gives them direct access to psychological services at their place of residence.
Funded by Country SA PHN the Residential Wellbeing Program is being trialled at The Barossa Village and the Tanunda Lutheran Home. The pilot offers suitably assessed aged care residents the opportunity to receive mental health services similar to those that people in the community can access through Medicare.
Suicide Prevention: This Easter Know How to Help When it’s Needed Most
3 April 2019
Suicide Prevention: This Easter Know How to Help When it’s Needed Most
While for many of us Easter is a time for relaxation and social connection for some, an extended break can be a time for loneliness and despair. Knowing Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training can assist you, to help friends and family through tough times and ultimately save their lives from suicide.
QPR is a free on-line training module available to all country South Australians. It’s designed to provide everyone with three simple steps to help save a life from suicide.
Don’t Need it?, Can’t Make it?, Cancel it
27 March 2019
Don’t Need it?, Can’t Make it?, Cancel it
Finding it hard to see your GP when you need to lately? More than 650 General Practice appointments per month in Port Augusta are left unattended. Health authorities are urging the community to cancel appointments they can’t make, so other people can get to see their GP when they need to.
New research by Country SA PHN confirms the Port Augusta community is struggling to see their GP when required. It shows there are hundreds of appointments across the six local practices not being filled every month. The Ghan Medical Centre had a staggering 138 ‘did not attends’ in one month.
Connect, Communicate, Take Charge: Local Health Clusters offer Free Summer Family Well-Being Events
18 December 2018
Connect, Communicate, Take Charge: Local Health Clusters offer Free Summer Family Well-Being Events
A well-being road show is coming to the Eyre Peninsula this January offering the community an opportunity to focus on mindfulness and provide information on how to seek mental health support and how to help each other.
The well-being sessions are in response to consultation with local farming families during the Rotary Men’s Wellness Campaign. The community said they wanted well-being activities with a focus on suicide prevention strategies and information
Media release - My Health Record opt out date announced
14 May 2018
My Health Record opt out date announced
More than five million Australians already have a My Health Record, which provides a summary of their key health information, delivering better health outcomes for patients and their treating doctors and specialists.
Every Australian will be offered a My Health Record unless they choose not to have one during the three month opt out period that will run from 16 July to 15 October 2018.