Latest news with #SAHealth
ABC News
17 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
South Australian government to allow GPs to diagnose ADHD
Some general practitioners in South Australia will from next year be able to diagnose patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in a move the state government says will cut wait times and costs for those seeking a diagnosis. Currently, adults in South Australia seeking an ADHD diagnosis must be assessed by a psychiatrist, while children must see a paediatrician. The state government argues the existing regulations have made it "extremely difficult" to get an ADHD diagnosis due to long wait times and high costs to see a specialist. Rule changes announced by the government on Friday will allow specially trained GPs to diagnose the disorder. It will also allow GPs to prescribe ADHD medication without having to provide evidence to SA Health of a diagnosis from a psychiatrist or paediatrician. The reforms will come into effect in 2026. Health Minister Chris Picton said some patients have spent more than $2,000 for a diagnosis. "That's a huge expense for South Australians and it means that people are missing out on important healthcare that can make a difference for them," he said. Mr Picton also argued the reforms would free up "significant capacity" for psychiatrists and paediatricians to undertake other mental health work. "We know that there's significant need in the community for a whole range of other afflictions people have," he said. The reforms follow a similar move by New South Wales earlier this year. The Western Australian government has also committed to the reform. Specialist training for GPs who want to be involved in ADHD diagnoses will be made available from next year. This is on top of online training modules that are already available through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). RACGP chair Siân Goodson said not all GPs will take up the additional training. But she added that many GPs already have experience dealing with ADHD patients. "GPs are often co-managing these patients already, so we often prescribe once we've got the diagnosis is confirmed," she said. "So, we're already getting experience in managing medication and managing these people." Dr Goodson, who is also a GP in Adelaide's northern suburbs, said patients are regularly reporting ADHD symptoms to their doctor. She said early ADHD diagnosis was "really important" for children. "We see people waiting a long time for that diagnosis falling behind at school and the outcomes are less good," she said. "But also for adults, sometimes they've struggled for a long time, they've lost their job or they're not functioning at home. Mother Vaia Allen said she spent around $3,000 on getting an ADHD diagnosis for her 12-year-old daughter Pippa. The cost, Ms Allen said, did not include ongoing medication and regular GP appointments. She also needed to travel from Victoria to South Australia. Ms Allen said her daughter has been on ADHD medication for around four months and it has greatly helped her learning in school. "When we got Pip on ADHD medication, it was so helpful … in her classroom for her teacher, the students around her, and obviously for herself," she said. "It's really obvious to me that the education outcomes are so important in terms of their focus and changing their life trajectory. "She can sit there, listen and understand now." Deborah McLean, president of the South Australian Psychologists Association (SAPA), welcomed the state government's rule changes. She also expressed confidence that the training offered to GPs will be sufficient to correctly diagnose ADHD. But she cautioned that some ADHD patients will still need access to "holistic diagnosis assessment and then treatment" for concurrent conditions like depression and anxiety. "It means that we may only be treating part of the problem. "I think for a lot of people, though, this is a really positive step forward and a way to be able to access the essential services they need." The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) SA Branch also welcomed the rule changes. But the college cautioned that the government "must prioritise patient safety and quality outcomes through greater training and support for doctors treating ADHD". RANZCP SA chair Patrick Clarke, a North Adelaide psychiatrist, said he currently treats around 150 ADHD patients. "That's all I can manage, and I can't take on any more," Dr Clarke said in a statement. "So, we're glad to see the SA government doing more to expand access to ADHD care in the state for people who are missing out on help. "Giving trainee specialists more ADHD exposure will greatly increase the pool of doctors with appropriate exposure to see these patients."
ABC News
30-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
SA Police make new claims about Royston Park arrest incident
South Australian police allege a man who became unresponsive while being arrested on Thursday morning 'violently resisted' officers, as an investigation continues into the actions taken during the incident. Police attempted to arrest a 42-year-old Modbury North man on Payneham Road about 2:45am on Thursday, after saying they witnessed an "altercation" occurring between a man and a woman. Police said the man "became unresponsive" as they attempted to arrest him. He was taken to hospital where his condition has not yet been disclosed by SA Police or SA Health. Police are investigating the incident and the actions of officers at the scene. In an updated statement released on Thursday afternoon, provided to the ABC today, police alleged the man "was assaulting a female" when they intervened. "While being restrained the man violently resisted police," SA Police alleged. "After being restrained he became unresponsive and police administered first aid until SAAS (SA Ambulance Service) arrived." SA Police said its investigation into the matter will examine "all evidence", including the body-worn video of the officers involved. "The investigation and assessment of all evidence will determine the appropriateness of the actions taken by the officers," the statement said. Police said earlier on Thursday that no-one was shot and no taser was used. The incident prompted the closure of Payneham Road between Lambert Road and Lower Portrush Road on Thursday morning. The roads have since reopened.
ABC News
13-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
SA Health apologises to man waiting nine days at RAH for broken leg surgery
SA Health has apologised to a Port Lincoln man left waiting for nine days for surgery on his broken leg at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Stephen Rees, a father of two toddlers, was airlifted from Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula to the RAH on May 4 after shattering bones in his lower leg and severely dislocating his ankle in a football game the day before. Central Adelaide Local Health Network's executive director of operations and performance, Rachael Kay, said the medical team had assessed his injury each day and "determined that he was clinically ready for surgery on Friday, May 9". "I would like to apologise to Mr Rees and understand this must be frustrating." Mr Rees said he had fasted each morning and sometimes all day in preparation for surgery but was bumped each time by a more urgent case. "[I'm] fed up — I just want to get home and see my family," he said. After a nine-day wait, Mr Rees was wheeled in for surgery on Tuesday morning and the operation went well. The day before, Mr Rees was told the RAH was looking into having him transferred to a private hospital for the operation, where he understood it would be paid for by the public health system. Prior to this, Mr Rees' family had been making enquiries about getting the surgery done privately despite him not having private cover just to get him home. "Other than that, my options were to sit here and wait. "I've just sort of had enough … they kept just bumping me and saying there's other more important cases than me even though I've been here for over a week." Mr Rees said his two legs bones needed to be screwed back together because they were separated. "The small bone in my leg is shattered, essentially, so they need to piece it back together and [put in] a couple of plates and a heap of screws," he said. Mr Rees said one of the nurses had advised him generally, after three days, a patient's case was escalated to improve the chances of surgery.
Herald Sun
10-05-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
South Australia: Priority Care Centres looking after SA's health
It is every mother's worst nightmare when their newborn baby has difficulty breathing. For 27-year-old mother-of-three Talisha Wagner, it became reality when faced with her five-month-old daughter Paisley struggling to breathe. Calling the healthdirect helpline, Wagner was advised to immediately head to hospital or the Elizabeth Medical and Dental Centre, where she could access urgent care services for her daughter. Paisley was then referred to and treated at the Elizabeth Priority Care Centre, a centre her mum was previously unaware of. Faced with a daunting wait in a hospital emergency department, she chose to try the clinic, where the young family was in and out in 90 minutes armed with a diagnosis and the information necessary to tackle the problem facing the newborn. 'It's happened before and we have taken her to the hospital – twice,' Wagner explains. Paisley's condition – known as laryngomalacia – is caused by floppiness of the laryngeal tissues above the vocal cords. When breathing in, the tissues above the vocal cords fall in towards the airway, causing partial obstruction. The doctor quickly diagnosed the issue, which Paisley will eventually grow out of as she gets bigger and her muscles become stronger. 'They taught me different ways for her to swallow to kind of bring it back,' Wagner says. 'It was really great as they showed me what to do in the event it happens again. 'Now she wears a sock monitor so I can keep a close eye on it.' SA Health, in partnership with the Adelaide Primary Health Network and general practices, established four Priority Care Centres across metropolitan Adelaide in Marion, Elizabeth, Para Hills West and Hindmarsh, with an additional centre located in Mount Barker. These centres provide vital community-based healthcare and treatment for eligible patients such as Paisley and her mother with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions who would otherwise be seeking treatment at a hospital emergency department. The referral-based centres can also provide a range of other services including radiology, pathology and pharmacy services, and can refer on for follow-up care. Patients who are eligible for Medicare can also access a Priority Care Centre at no cost. Talisha Wagner is a big advocate for the centres. 'Absolutely, they were amazing,' she says. 'It's not as chaotic as an emergency department and from my experience I think they have more time to be thorough and you're not having to wait around for hours on end to get the help you need.' New service is a breath of fresh air to consumers Carolyn Ohijenko was taken to the Urgent Care Hub with respiratory issues. Picture: Russell Millard When Carolyn Ohijenko was having difficulty breathing, the 70-year-old feared yet another trip to the emergency department and the potential of a lengthy wait. Recently diagnosed with asthma, Ohijenko was having problems managing her breathing along with her medications, when ambulance officers were called to her home. Upon assessment they made a call to the SA Health Urgent Care Hub-Playford clinic, a new, dedicated out-of-hospital healthcare service, next door to the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Part of the SA Health Urgent Care Hubs, these referral-only services provide various, rapid assessments and acute care for patients whose care needs are unable to be met by primary care providers and would otherwise need to visit an emergency department. After spending up to 18 hours in departments in the past, Ohijenko was blown away by the speed and care she received at the Urgent Care Hub. 'I'm new to having experiences of bronchial asthma and after my first episode which took me to emergency, I was very scared,' she explains. 'I would have these coughing spasms and despite having the medications, they didn't seem to be working. The second time the ambulance came to my home – they were the ones who rang the new hub, which I found very fascinating.' Just a week earlier in mid-March, Ohijenko had similar breathing problems and was taken to an emergency department. She says the experience at the hub was much smoother and more comfortable. 'I was very impressed with the whole area, the medical staff and how well they looked after me,' she says. 'It was very attentive and immediate. I didn't have to sit in a plastic chair and wait to see someone. As an older person that is very uncomfortable. The people were looking after me from the moment I entered the place and they had all my complete medical history in front of them and could look after me straight away.' Located in Sefton Plaza, Woodville, Playford (Elizabeth) and Daw Park, the SA Health Urgent Care Hub multidisciplinary teams are made up of nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, social workers, podiatrists, occupational therapists and dietitians. It is a referral-only service, received from SA Ambulance Service, SA Virtual Care Service, general practitioners and community health care providers, while non-government organisations or consumers can even be redirected from emergency departments. Ohijenko says these hubs take some of the strain off our emergency departments. 'For us older people, we have complex issues, so sometimes we don't have a choice but to make an emergency call,' she explains. 'I would 100 per cent use the services again. They did everything they could for me, from showing me how to use the medications properly to making recommendations to my local GP. They were great.' Been there, lived that Jess Rolevink, peer practice lead at the Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre. Picture: Russell Millard Jess Rolevink speaks with authority about the crucial role peer support plays in helping people deal with their mental health challenges. As the peer practice lead at the Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre, she sees every day the impact empathy and understanding from people with lived experience has on those who may be struggling with issues such as extreme anxiety and depression. And she only wishes the service – designed to help give people the care they need when they need it to keep them out of hospitals – existed when she was dealing with her own distress. 'During my teenage years and my twenties, I really struggled with anxiety and depression quite badly,' she says. 'It was so hard to get help. I was in and out of hospitals. 'That was it back then – there was no such thing as valuing lived experience. For me, my experience was one of isolation and of feeling judged. There was no one there that could say to me, 'you know what Jess, I get it. I absolutely get what you've been through and you're going to be OK'. 'I never experienced that and so this is why this role is so important. It just helps so much.' Rolevink works with a team of 25 peer support workers and a similar number of clinicians at the walk-in Elizabeth centre, described as 'a welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from qualified professionals over extended hours.' Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one, friend, colleague or community contact. The service is free and no appointment, referral or Medicare card is needed. Similar centres are in Adelaide, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier and Port Pirie. Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre operations lead Rebecca Ljubic says all five centres are tailored to meet the needs of their local communities. 'When people experience a mental health crisis or distress they often turn to a hospital and emergency department and that's not always the best fit, given EDs are really tailored for physical health needs, and not so much mental health needs,' she says. The service aims to – where appropriate – provide immediate support to reduce distress; provide in-house assessment, treatment and support; and connect people with the most appropriate ongoing support. Ljubic says the focus is on providing a 'warm and welcoming' space, far removed from a cold, clinical setting. 'There's a lounge room environment for people, all the consulting rooms are very low stimulus, there's mood lighting,' she says. 'It's relaxed and comforting to help support people in a homelike, relaxing sort of environment.' There has been growing local demand for the service. 'For our immediate access – the walk-in component of our service – we are currently seeing more than 300 people a month. And that's just stepping up and up and up each month.' Ljubic agrees the 'peer-first' lived experience component of the service helps provide a balanced and holistic care model. 'A lot of people come into the service feeling distressed, in crisis and hopeless but having that peer connection – having someone there who believes in them – helps them to regain some of that hope,' she says. 'Not everyone requires clinical intervention either. Some people might come in and they'll be able to talk with a peer and talk it through. 'Some may come in and might have some very serious things happening in their life where safety is concerned. That's where a clinician will become involved and provide some support around some of those more complex situations.' Rolevink says hearing others talk about their own lived experience in a 'purposeful and authentic way' can have a powerful effect – and reflects again on the lack of post-hospital care during her own mental health journey. 'What I would have loved back then would have been a combination – someone with lived experience and someone with the clinical know-how to essentially walk alongside me. And that's what we do here.' The Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre, at 23 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth, is open 8.30am to 10.30pm on weekdays and noon to 6.30pm on weekends and public holidays. Details: medicaremental Originally published as New care centres are making the health of South Australians a priority
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
New care centres are making the health of South Australians a priority
It is every mother's worst nightmare when their newborn baby has difficulty breathing. For 27-year-old mother-of-three Talisha Wagner, it became reality when faced with her five-month-old daughter Paisley struggling to breathe. Calling the healthdirect helpline, Wagner was advised to immediately head to hospital or the Elizabeth Medical and Dental Centre, where she could access urgent care services for her daughter. Paisley was then referred to and treated at the Elizabeth Priority Care Centre, a centre her mum was previously unaware of. Faced with a daunting wait in a hospital emergency department, she chose to try the clinic, where the young family was in and out in 90 minutes armed with a diagnosis and the information necessary to tackle the problem facing the newborn. 'It's happened before and we have taken her to the hospital – twice,' Wagner explains. Paisley's condition – known as laryngomalacia – is caused by floppiness of the laryngeal tissues above the vocal cords. When breathing in, the tissues above the vocal cords fall in towards the airway, causing partial obstruction. The doctor quickly diagnosed the issue, which Paisley will eventually grow out of as she gets bigger and her muscles become stronger. 'They taught me different ways for her to swallow to kind of bring it back,' Wagner says. 'It was really great as they showed me what to do in the event it happens again. 'Now she wears a sock monitor so I can keep a close eye on it.' SA Health, in partnership with the Adelaide Primary Health Network and general practices, established four Priority Care Centres across metropolitan Adelaide in Marion, Elizabeth, Para Hills West and Hindmarsh, with an additional centre located in Mount Barker. These centres provide vital community-based healthcare and treatment for eligible patients such as Paisley and her mother with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions who would otherwise be seeking treatment at a hospital emergency department. The referral-based centres can also provide a range of other services including radiology, pathology and pharmacy services, and can refer on for follow-up care. Patients who are eligible for Medicare can also access a Priority Care Centre at no cost. Talisha Wagner is a big advocate for the centres. 'Absolutely, they were amazing,' she says. 'It's not as chaotic as an emergency department and from my experience I think they have more time to be thorough and you're not having to wait around for hours on end to get the help you need.' New service is a breath of fresh air to consumers When Carolyn Ohijenko was having difficulty breathing, the 70-year-old feared yet another trip to the emergency department and the potential of a lengthy wait. Recently diagnosed with asthma, Ohijenko was having problems managing her breathing along with her medications, when ambulance officers were called to her home. Upon assessment they made a call to the SA Health Urgent Care Hub-Playford clinic, a new, dedicated out-of-hospital healthcare service, next door to the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Part of the SA Health Urgent Care Hubs, these referral-only services provide various, rapid assessments and acute care for patients whose care needs are unable to be met by primary care providers and would otherwise need to visit an emergency department. After spending up to 18 hours in departments in the past, Ohijenko was blown away by the speed and care she received at the Urgent Care Hub. 'I'm new to having experiences of bronchial asthma and after my first episode which took me to emergency, I was very scared,' she explains. 'I would have these coughing spasms and despite having the medications, they didn't seem to be working. The second time the ambulance came to my home – they were the ones who rang the new hub, which I found very fascinating.' Just a week earlier in mid-March, Ohijenko had similar breathing problems and was taken to an emergency department. She says the experience at the hub was much smoother and more comfortable. 'I was very impressed with the whole area, the medical staff and how well they looked after me,' she says. 'It was very attentive and immediate. I didn't have to sit in a plastic chair and wait to see someone. As an older person that is very uncomfortable. The people were looking after me from the moment I entered the place and they had all my complete medical history in front of them and could look after me straight away.' Located in Sefton Plaza, Woodville, Playford (Elizabeth) and Daw Park, the SA Health Urgent Care Hub multidisciplinary teams are made up of nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, social workers, podiatrists, occupational therapists and dietitians. It is a referral-only service, received from SA Ambulance Service, SA Virtual Care Service, general practitioners and community health care providers, while non-government organisations or consumers can even be redirected from emergency departments. Ohijenko says these hubs take some of the strain off our emergency departments. 'For us older people, we have complex issues, so sometimes we don't have a choice but to make an emergency call,' she explains. 'I would 100 per cent use the services again. They did everything they could for me, from showing me how to use the medications properly to making recommendations to my local GP. They were great.' Been there, lived that Jess Rolevink speaks with authority about the crucial role peer support plays in helping people deal with their mental health challenges. As the peer practice lead at the Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre, she sees every day the impact empathy and understanding from people with lived experience has on those who may be struggling with issues such as extreme anxiety and depression. And she only wishes the service – designed to help give people the care they need when they need it to keep them out of hospitals – existed when she was dealing with her own distress. 'During my teenage years and my twenties, I really struggled with anxiety and depression quite badly,' she says. 'It was so hard to get help. I was in and out of hospitals. 'That was it back then – there was no such thing as valuing lived experience. For me, my experience was one of isolation and of feeling judged. There was no one there that could say to me, 'you know what Jess, I get it. I absolutely get what you've been through and you're going to be OK'. 'I never experienced that and so this is why this role is so important. It just helps so much.' Rolevink works with a team of 25 peer support workers and a similar number of clinicians at the walk-in Elizabeth centre, described as 'a welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from qualified professionals over extended hours.' Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one, friend, colleague or community contact. The service is free and no appointment, referral or Medicare card is needed. Similar centres are in Adelaide, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier and Port Pirie. Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre operations lead Rebecca Ljubic says all five centres are tailored to meet the needs of their local communities. 'When people experience a mental health crisis or distress they often turn to a hospital and emergency department and that's not always the best fit, given EDs are really tailored for physical health needs, and not so much mental health needs,' she says. The service aims to – where appropriate – provide immediate support to reduce distress; provide in-house assessment, treatment and support; and connect people with the most appropriate ongoing support. Ljubic says the focus is on providing a 'warm and welcoming' space, far removed from a cold, clinical setting. 'There's a lounge room environment for people, all the consulting rooms are very low stimulus, there's mood lighting,' she says. 'It's relaxed and comforting to help support people in a homelike, relaxing sort of environment.' There has been growing local demand for the service. 'For our immediate access – the walk-in component of our service – we are currently seeing more than 300 people a month. And that's just stepping up and up and up each month.' Ljubic agrees the 'peer-first' lived experience component of the service helps provide a balanced and holistic care model. 'A lot of people come into the service feeling distressed, in crisis and hopeless but having that peer connection – having someone there who believes in them – helps them to regain some of that hope,' she says. 'Not everyone requires clinical intervention either. Some people might come in and they'll be able to talk with a peer and talk it through. 'Some may come in and might have some very serious things happening in their life where safety is concerned. That's where a clinician will become involved and provide some support around some of those more complex situations.' Rolevink says hearing others talk about their own lived experience in a 'purposeful and authentic way' can have a powerful effect – and reflects again on the lack of post-hospital care during her own mental health journey. 'What I would have loved back then would have been a combination – someone with lived experience and someone with the clinical know-how to essentially walk alongside me. And that's what we do here.'
