RESIDENT RURAL GP PARTNER GRANTS
Applications Close Next Week

Did you know that grants up to $3,000 are now available for partners of GPs living and practising in country South Australia?

Successful applicants can use their grant to develop career or business opportunities in their community or undertake study for personal or professional development.

The grant can be put towards:

• course fees or training expenses
• business establishment costs
• travel and accommodation associated with attending activities. 

Applications Close Next Week: 9am Thursday 30 June 2022.

LEARN MORE

Have some questions, or are unsure what you can apply for? Previous applicants have received grants for nutrition courses, instruments for choir performances, and even to learn how to keep bees.
Please feel free to contact the team to explore the opportunities available.

Contact
For more information please contact:
Paula Wood, Manager PHC Workforce Services
E: familyprograms@ruraldoc.com.au
PH: 8234 8277

RDWA-RFDS RIDE ALONG PROGRAM
Applications Open for Flinders University Students

RFDS and RDWA are delighted that the Ride Along Program has recommenced after it was suspended due to COVID.

First and second year medical, nursing and midwifery students from Flinders University are now able to apply to join a RFDS Ride Along. This unique experience is a rare opportunity to shadow and observe a day in the life of an RFDS flight nurse and truly experience the breadth of rural health in South Australia. 

Do you know a Flinders University student that may be interested in this opportunity?
They can learn more and apply here: www.ruraldoc.com.au/ride-along-program

Contact
For more information please contact:
Andrea Brown, Manager Future Workforce
E: futureworkforce@ruraldoc.com.au
PH: (08) 8234 8277 

RURAL PAIN EDUCATION SERIES
Next Week: Rethinking Osteoarthritis

With just three sessions left of the RDWA Learn Rural Pain Education Series, this is your opportunity to learn about the latest evidence-based pain assessment and treatment strategies tailored to rural health practitioners. While the sessions are complementary, they are designed as stand-alone sessions to suit your learning needs.

Next Week: WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE, 7pm
Rethinking Osteoarthritis - Presented by Associate Professor Tasha Stanton
In this webinar you will be looking at:

• New evidence about osteoarthritis 'facts'
• Osteoarthritis and the capacity for change, even in severe disease
• Best practice, evidence-based management in context of the new knowledge 

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

View the full series here.

Contact
For more information please contact:
Rachel Sato, Education Support Officer
E: learn@ruraldoc.com.au
PH: 8234 8277

HEALTH WORKFORCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Clarissa Sheehan

Working as an Optometrist in Port Augusta, Clarissa received a grant through the Health Workforce Scholarship Program to support her in completing the Practical Vision Therapy Workshop with the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) and to attend the ACBO National Conference. These activities assisted Clarissa to increase her skills in vision therapy and her capacity to construct and deliver tailored vision therapy programmes.
 
“Receiving support from the RDWA meant I was able to attend interstate training to develop my Optometry skills surrounding the paediatric population. Since completing this course I have had a better understanding on how managing children's vision can be individualised to improve their education and overall self.”
 
“Some of the knowledge I acquired included emerging evidence on ambylopia treatment using vision therapy, learning about technology that can be implemented into practice, and designing vision therapy programs. To be able to provide vision therapy within the community is valuable in the short term for children to increase school performance, in the long term this means a higher chance of furthered education.”

PROJECT ECHO 
COPD & Chronic Pain ECHO Program Commencing July  

SAPMEA will be commencing the COPD ECHO Network and Chronic Pain ECHO Network in July 2022.

COPD ECHO Network - First Thursday of the Month
6:30PM - 7:30PM VIA ZOOM
Sharing the latest in best-practice COPD management and guiding practitioners on how to translate and implement COPD guidelines into country practice. This program is open to country heath professionals.
See the full schedule here.
For more information, resources and to register, please visit the SAPMEA website
sapmea.asn.au/echo/copd

Chronic Pain ECHO Network - Fortnightly on Mondays
6:30PM - 7:45PM VIA ZOOM
Facilitated by an expert panel including Pain Specialists Dr Tim Semple & Dr Tuan Vo, Pain Physiotherapist Dr Carolyn Berryman, Pain and spinal GP Dr Derek Yull, and Clinical Psychologists Annie Hopkins and Mark Cox. Free to attend, the Chronic Pain ECHO Network is open to all health professionals.
See the full schedule here.
For more information, resources and to register, please visit the SAPMEA website 
sapmea.asn.au/echo/pain

RURAL SUPPORT SERVICE BULLETIN  
COVID Clinician Advice Line  

Support for regional and rural clinicians on COVID management and antiviral prescribing

Clinician Medical Advice phone line: 1800 313 090 
 
SA Health would like to advise that the Clinician Medical Advice phone line is active and available to support GPs and other medical specialists with COVID-19 management and oral antiviral prescribing. This service is available both in the hospital and community settings.
 
COVID Community Team Duty Doctor: 
PH: 1800 313 090  
9am to 5pm, seven days
Outside these hours, the phone will be answered by the COVID Community team nursing staff.
 
Please note this phone line is for clinician use only and should not be accessed directly by patients.
 
From 1 July 2022, following a transition of COVID community support staff, this number will continue to be answered by the Community COVID High Risk Hub, from 8am to 8pm, seven days.
 
Patients in the community requiring support when their GP is unavailable should continue to be directed to the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. The helpline will refer patients directly into the Community COVID team if required.
 
If you need specific advice regarding prescription of COVID oral antiviral medications, please contact the expert pharmacists at DATIS (Drug and Therapeutics Information Service) on 08 7425 8444 (Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm).

2022 RURAL HEALTH & WELLBEING AWARD
Nominations Now Open

Every town has that inspiring individual, local business and community group who goes above and beyond, enabling access to healthcare and programs or services that promotes wellbeing in their rural community. 

Show them your appreciation by nominating them today for a Rural Community Health and Wellbeing Award in the 2022 SA Community Achievement Awards!

This award recognises individuals, communities and organisations in SA’s rural areas who are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of their local community. READ MORE about the RDWA Rural Community Health & Wellbeing Award.

Nominations Close: Thursday 25 August 2022.
NOMINATE SOMEONE
Alternatively you can nominate someone by calling the Community Achievement Awards Team on 08 8132 0753.

Contact
For more information about the Rural Community Health and Wellbeing Award or to nominate someone please contact the Awards Office on
PH: 08 8132 0753 
E: sacaa@awardsaustralia.com 

The 2021 award winners were Yorke Peninsula Community Care & Transport.
Yorke Peninsula Community Care and Transport provides a range of transport options to people of all ages across the Yorke Peninsula, a rural area with limited public transport access. With more than 140 volunteers, this service enables community members without transport to remain at home while still being able to access vital medical appointments. Learn more about the great work they do here: www.communitycareandtransport.org.au