Ms Meg Gulbin1, Ms Natasha Harvey2
1SA Health – BHFLHN, Adelaide, Australia, 2SA Health – Rural Support Service, Adelaide, Australia
Abstract:
The Rural Support Service (RSS) provides expertise, consultation, and advice to six regional Local Health Networks (LHNs) across South Australia. It’s well evidenced that regional children face significant psychosocial complexity and poorer outcomes than children residing in metropolitan areas. This is associated with, but not limited to, isolation, resourcing, higher rates of domestic family and sexual violence and larger geographical distance. The RSS conducted a child and family safety audit across Acute, Community Health, Aboriginal Health, and Mental Health services in 2022. Over 150 staff voluntarily participated in the audit via focus groups and survey. The audit highlighted five overarching risks in the health system from a regional perspective. The risks identified were linked back to the National Safety and Quality Health Standards and a Risk Register was developed. The audit acting as tool for change, bringing people together for collective action and commitment. Alongside this, the RSS strengthened governance for regional prevention and response to violence, abuse, and neglect (PARVAN) through the establishment of a Regional LHN PARVAN Steering Committee. This committee has oversight of the PARVAN Project Implementation Plans. The membership on the Committees ensure representation across each of the regional LHNs, at an executive level from all areas of the service. The Committee offer operational guidance, consultative expertise, facilitate the implementation of system enhancements and establish connections for change.