PHN puts $300k on the table to improve access to GPs

Increasing after-hours access is the aim of the program which will kick off on 1 November.

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One Victorian primary care network is putting up to $300,000 on the table to help improve access to after-hours general practice. 

South Eastern Melbourne PHN is inviting general practices in Mornington Peninsula, Cardinia and Casey to express their interest in extending their opening hours. 

Up for grabs is funding of up to $300,000 for successful practices for the duration of the program. 

“This opportunity is designed to allow general practices to propose their commitment to extend their existing operating hours on Friday and the weekend,” said the PHN’s website.  

“Practices will be expected to provide low to moderate acuity services such as treating minor injuries, pain management, wound care, fractures, lacerations, minor burns, abdominal pain, skin, and soft-tissue infections. 

“Interested practices are to propose funding they require to extend their current hours of operation in the after-hours period on Fridays (after 6 pm), Saturdays (after 12 pm) and Sundays.  

“Extension of hours must be at least two (2) hours per proposed day.  

“Preference will be given to practices proposing higher additional hours above the minimum requirement.” 

Interested practices must be able to start service delivery by 1 November 2024. 

EOIs close at 5pm on 18 September. For more information, visit SEMPHN’s eProcure. 

WA Primary Health Alliance 

WAPHA is rolling out 180 telehealth carts to aged care facilities across the state. 

These carts, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enable quick and efficient communication with GPs and other clinicians, improving access to care and reducing unnecessary hospital visits. 

Magnolia House at Brightwater Oxford Gardens recently used the cart to support a 74-year-old resident who presented with a necrotic blood blister on the tip of his left big toe. 

The nurse practitioner assessed the patient on-site and, concerned about the resident’s medical history, requested an urgent Doppler test and a transfer to the emergency department, suspecting a diabetic foot ulcer or gangrene. 

The WA Virtual ED was initiated by Joondalup Health Campus prior to sending out an ambulance, and an ED consultant was able to use the telehealth cart’s high-resolution cameras to examine the toe. 

Upon examination, it was determined that the cause was related to a hematoma secondary to trauma rather than a gangrenous toe. The patient was happy to be able to stay at the facility and receive the appropriate treatment on-site. 

The remote clinician commented that the cart helped prevent an unnecessary and uncomfortable visit to the emergency department. Additionally, it helped avoid any possible complications that could have arisen from the visit. 

Practices can view a list of RACHs with Visionflex’s telehealth technology or contact RACFTelehealthandAfterhours@wapha.org.au for additional support. 

This equipment has been made available through funding under the Australian Government aged care reform package. 

Country SA PHN  

CSAPHN has announced successful grant recipients under its Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention program. 

Grants of up to $20,000 were awarded for initiatives to enact community-based priorities that play a role in preventing suicide and designed specifically to benefit those living in regional communities. 

The successful organisations were: 

• Centacare Catholic Country SA Ltd, Flinders and Upper North/Eyre and Far North/Yorke and Northern regions: for the development of a folding information card (business card size) and drink coasters with actions that can be taken to support someone in distress, including information on how to access support or referral for ongoing mental health support. Resources will incorporate a specific design for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a resource designed for use in the workplace.   

• Flinders University, all country regions, with face-to-face workshops in Port Pirie, Whyalla, and Port Lincoln – development of a mental health distress training program and digital resources to support the existing local workforce in recognising and responding to risk factors for suicide and distress. This initiative will deliver workshops and resources for general practitioners, mental health support staff and healthcare professionals. 

• Lived Experience Leadership Advocacy Network, all country regions – the aim of this activity is to reduce stigma, increase help seeking, and improve community responsiveness and advocacy through creation of a co-designed survey, short-form video, and other multimedia content. This will share insights and solutions by people who have lived experience of distress or have been impacted by suicide in rural and regional South Australian communities. 

• Shine SA, Eyre and Far North/Riverland Mallee Coorong/Limestone Coast – this community activity will promote help seeking and inclusivity, raise awareness and strengthen protective factors for transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning individuals living in country South Australia.  Three face-to-face workshops will be delivered in Port Lincoln, Berri, and Mount Gambier with an evaluation pre and post event.