Rural Support Service

03/07/2025

🚨𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬!🚨

The 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 is expanding — giving GP trainees stable employment with SA Health for up to 4 years while they finish their training.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 – 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚?
✅ Provides doctors in training with consistent location, pay & conditions
✅ Offers stability that enables doctors to build stronger ties in regional communities
✅ Gives GP trainees smooth transitions between public & private placements while they complete their training

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥?
Submit your Expression of interest today via the link in the comments – or tag a trainee who might be interested!

Together, we can attract and retain more doctors in our rural communities, improving healthcare for our regions. 💪🌾

Pictured here from left to right: Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network SEM registrar Rachel Crook, Rural Support Service (RSS) Acting Executive Director Brett Webster, RSS Manager of Trainee Medical Officer Unit Kylee Nuss, and Yorke and Northern Local Health Network SEM registrar Nikki Pennifold.

02/07/2025

🚗💼 Meet Kirsteen Knevitt – the driving force behind rural medical education in SA! 🌾

As a dedicated Medical Education Officer for the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network, Kirsteen is making a powerful impact—supporting junior doctors across 16 regional sites, helping them grow into confident, capable clinicians.

With 15 years of experience and a passion for both people and the outdoors, Kirsteen shares what makes rural training professionally rewarding and personally enriching in the latest in our ‘Day in the life’ series.

📖 Read the full article to learn more about Kirsteen’s journey at the link in the comments

05/06/2025

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿?

🔍 We’re looking for the right person to provide a range of reporting, management accounting, costing, modelling, analytical and budgeting services, which contribute to the effective financial management of the RSS and regional local health networks across South Australia.

⌚️ This is a temporary full time role (up to 30 June 2026).

⏳ Applications close 10 June, so apply now or tag a great candidate in the comments below.

Job reference: 905131
Closing date: 10 June 2025

https://careers.sahealth.sa.gov.au/caw/en/job/905131

27/05/2025

This week is National Reconciliation Week, a time for us all to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The year’s theme 'Bridging Now to Next', reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. It calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Through the implementation of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, we are strongly committed to ensuring inclusivity and responsiveness to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their health needs are embedded in our services. We want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues to feel safe and excited to be part of the RSS team and family and that our advocacy voice and service provision activities build pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access culturally safe healthcare.

26/05/2025

Today we remember the 1967 Referendum, which sought to change two sections of the Constitution in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Nearly 91% of Australians voters voted ‘Yes’, which resulted in all other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted as part of the population and the Commonwealth would be able to make laws for them. This signalled a change in the mindset of Australia majority, and it opened the door to First Nations Australian agency, bringing to light many strong leaders and organisations and the expectations that things could be different.

Read more here:https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-1967-Referendum.pdf

25/05/2025

Today is National Sorry Day. We remember the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and culture, otherwise known as the “Stolen Generations”. We acknowledge the ongoing intergenerational trauma still faced by their families and communities.

Today and every day, we stand in solidarity, expressing our deep remorse and commitment to reconciliation. We stand with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and honour their strength and resilience.


Please take a minute to watch this animation video by The Healing Foundation, telling the story about Stolen Generations and the intergenerational trauma, in a raw and captivating way.

If people don’t have the opportunity to heal from trauma, they may unknowingly pass it on to others through their behaviour. Their children may experience di...

18/05/2025

From 1 July 2025, older South Australians will have access to free, two-yearly lung cancer screening through the Commonwealth’s new National Lung Cancer Screening Program.

The program will offer low-dose CT scans to eligible people aged 50–70 with a history of smoking, aiming to catch lung cancer early—when it’s more treatable. This is especially important for regional communities, where lung cancer rates are higher than in metro areas. GPs will be able to refer eligible patients, and mobile screening units are planned to reach regional locations from 2026–27.

To ensure this new program meets the needs of regional South Australians and to enable a rural perspective in program planning and delivery, RSS Manager of Clinical Services, Arrin Wislang, is part of the statewide advisory committee overseeing the rollout of the NLCSP.

For more information, including eligibility and resources, visit the National Lung Cancer Screening website: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp

13/05/2025

This week is National Palliative Care Week, which encourages open, meaningful conversations about advance care planning and end-of-life wishes.

Caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can be tough—especially in regional communities where services aren’t always easy to find. That’s where Palliative Care Connect – Regional Navigation Service steps in.

Delivered by not-for-profit Sonder and funded by the Australian Government, this free service supports people living in the Yorke, Lower North, Gawler and Barossa regions, along with their families, carers and friends.

Experienced Palliative Care Navigators can help with:
✔️ Clear, tailored information to support decision-making
✔️ Linking with local, cultural and community services
✔️ Coordinating care and planning for end-of-life

Support is available Monday to Friday, 8.30 am – 4.00 pm via phone or in-person—at home or from offices in Kadina, Clare, Nuriootpa and Port Pirie.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this compassionate, local service, visit https://www.palliativecareconnect.com.au to find out more.

08/05/2025

Meet Jess Maddock – our new Chronic Conditions Nurse at the RSS

Working remotely in our Virtual Clinical Care service, Jess supports country patients to better manage chronic diseases, with a strong focus on education, empowerment and building confidence for self-care. A Registered Nurse since 2012, she brings experience from cardiothoracic ICU, cardiac rehab, and cardiology research, plus further study in Intensive Care Nursing and Indigenous Studies.

Jess is passionate about people – what motivates us, what drives our decisions, and how we see the world. She loves the beach and spending time with her kids.

Fun fact: Jess’s Ukrainian heritage means she makes incredible sauerkraut – even if she doesn’t speak the language.

Welcome to the team, Jess!

08/05/2025

In light of National Heart Week this week, we’d love to share Alan’s story about the importance of maintaining good heart health.

With a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol and other risk factors, and after experiencing a cardiac event late last year, 70-year-old Alan from Kingston SE knew it was time for a lifestyle reset. With support from our Country Access to Cardiac Health (CATCH) program, he’s made lasting changes and – in the process - lost more than 31kg in just 6 months!

CATCH provides telehealth-based cardiac rehab support to regional South Australians. And for Alan, it’s been life-changing. Not only is he now at a much healthier weight; he’s gained a new perspective on food shopping, being active and how to overhaul his habits. Alan now eats a heart healthy diet. He says:

“I didn’t make major changes… it’s just all about being active and thinking differently about food. I knew it wouldn’t work if I had an exercise program. But they gave me all these alternatives, like how I can do gardening, walk my dog more and play with him to be active throughout my day. They also sent me lots of nutrition information about what a good diet is… practical stuff about what your plate should look like and advice to understand food labels.

I’m so grateful for the doctors and the clinical staff for keeping me on track and for the encouragement through the weekly calls I had from Jess, from the CATCH program. I dropped 31 kilos. It blows me away that I could do that and I’m so proud of myself! My main motivator? My grandkids. If I stayed breathless, I wouldn’t be able to play with my four little grandsons, aged 8 months, 3, 4 and 5 years, anymore.”

The CATCH program, delivered by our iCCnet team, is available to help people in regional and rural SA who’ve had a cardiac event. The program is part of the broader Virtual Regional Cardiology Service, which was recently expanded with 3 rapid access cardiology clinics, a heart failure optimisation service, a virtual GP advice service.

👉 Patients can be referred via their local GP or treating hospital. Referrals can be sent to health.rsscardiologyreferrals@sa.gov.au
ℹ For more information about Heart Week, visit https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-week
📸 Alan in his garden with one of his grandkids and dog Buddy.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network

05/05/2025

At 79, Cowell local Janice Nicol is still behind the wheel—literally—on her cancer journey. Living with myeloma, Janice travels 220km round trip every fortnight to Whyalla Hospital for chemotherapy, and thanks to the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS), she’s able to stay independent in the town she loves.

“I’d be stuck in Cowell without the support of PATS. There’s no taxis, there’s nothing. I like driving my own car and having control over my appointments.”

PATS provides financial subsidies for eligible regional South Australians who need to travel more than 100km for specialist medical care. For Janice, the fuel rebate and subsidised accommodation mean more than just savings—it’s a lifeline that helps her stay positive and connected.

“I treat it like a holiday. It’s practically the only place I go. The staff at Whyalla Hospital are marvellous! You’ve got to get through it. We’ve all got a use-by date, so you may as well enjoy what time you’ve got left.”

Are you or someone you know travelling for specialist care from a regional area?
ℹ️ Learn more or check eligibility: 1300 341 684 or www.pats.sa.gov.au

📸: Janice with the Whyalla Hospital care team

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network

05/05/2025

Today on International Day of the Midwife, we would like to recognise and celebrate all midwives in SA’s rural and remote communities, for the strength, skill and dedication they show and for providing expert, compassionate care — often in challenging conditions. Thank you - you are truly critical in every crisis.

This year marks an exciting milestone for midwifery in regional South Australia, with the upcoming rollout of credentialing for Endorsed Midwives. This initiative, led in partnership by regional midwifery leaders and the RSS, will support endorsed midwives to work to their full scope of practice, leading care in their communities and helping sustain local maternity services.

At the same time, we are working with regional and metro local health networks on a coordinated approach to midwifery workforce shortages. A new deployment process now helps get midwives to areas that need them most, providing flexible, timely relief and strengthening support right across our health system. A true example of midwives supporting midwives.

Tag and thank a midwife you know below. 👇