South Australia rural and remote health services
8-minute read
Key facts
- Living in parts of South Australia that are rural or remote can make finding health services harder.
- It's key to understand which health services exist in your area, so you know how to get help.
- Telehealth uses video and phone technology to help you connect with doctors and other specialists.
- Travelling services can offer general and emergency care in many places.
- You may be able to get support for travel and accommodation costs.
Rural and remote South Australia
South Australia is a large state that borders nearly every state of Australia. Many areas are considered rural or remote, which means outside the major cities.
Around 2 in 10 people in South Australian live in a rural or remote part of South Australia.
In these areas some health services can be harder to access. It's important to know what is available in your area in case you need medical help.
What types of health services are available?
Use the healthdirect Service Finder to find health services near you. It covers:
- dentists
- doctors
- opticians
- hospitals
- pharmacies
Hospitals
There are 6 regional local health networks in South Australia.
The local health networks provide:
- hospital services
- maternity services
- community based health services
- aged care
- disability services
The Rural Support Service (RSS) supports the local health networks.
The Country Referral Unit can help you find other community health services such as:
- community nursing
- physiotherapy
- community mental health
- palliative care
- Specialist outreach services
Travelling services are also an option in some places. The Royal Flying Doctor Service offers health care services to rural and remote areas. This covers dental health, mental health and women's health.
CareFlight is an Australian group that offers emergency help to people in rural and remote South Australia.
Outreach specialist services are also offered in some areas.
Mental health and wellbeing
If you need to talk to someone about your mental health, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Living in a rural or remote area can be stressful, especially if there are not many jobs or it's harder to earn a steady income. There is support available to help you manage this stress.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provide a free service to children across South Australia. This service is also available during pregnancy and after giving birth.
Learn about other organisations that have mental health helplines.
There is also a wide range of online health and wellbeing tools, such as apps that you can download.
Dental care
Living in rural or remote areas often means it's harder to get dental care.
Services such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service offer dental care to people in some remote areas of South Australia.
Emergency assistance
In a medical emergency, dial triple zero (000), and ask for an ambulance.
Most large public hospitals have a 24-hour emergency department.
In South Australia there is an air ambulance service which is managed by the state. They partner with groups like CareFlight and Royal Flying Doctor Service to help in emergencies.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
Online and telephone services and support
You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Virtual care or telehealth
The South Australia Digital Telehealth Network helps people in remote areas contact specialists and major hospitals through audio and video calls. This means you may not have to travel to all your medical appointments.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service also has a service that connects people to health specialists through telephone and radio.
My Health Record
My Health Record is a secure online summary of your health information. This means you and your health providers can see important medical details. This shared record can help if you live in a rural or remote area and have multiple health care providers.
You can do this online learning module to help you understand your My Health Record.
Health services and support across your life-course in South Australia
There are many online and telephone support services that you can use throughout your life.
Healthcare for babies and toddlers
If you are pregnant, or a parent of a young child call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Read about maternity services in rural and remote South Australia.
Healthcare for children
Kids Helpline — telephone and online counselling for people aged 5 to 25 years, call 1800 55 1800.
Healthcare for teenagers
Headspace offers mental health support for people aged 12 to 25 years. Visit their website or call them on 1800 650 890.
Kids Helpline provides telephone and online counselling for people up to 25 years, you can call them on 1800 55 1800.
ReachOut.com is a youth mental health service. Find out more at their website.
Learn more about sexual health.
Healthcare for older people
You can find out about aged care services near you on the My Aged Care website. Or you can call them on 1800 200 422.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples' health
Aboriginal health workers are based in clinics and hospitals across South Australia. They provide health care to communities including those in rural and remote areas.
Some large hospitals such as the Royal Adelaide Hospital have access to the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing Hub.
The Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Primary Health Care Service also offers free and culturally sensitive services. This service is in Adelaide's northern and central regions.
The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA) is the peak body for Aboriginal community controlled health and substance misuse services in SA.
Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) near you.
Staying healthy
It's important to take care of both your mental and physical health no matter where you live. Learn more about how to stay healthy.
Travelling to medical and health services
If you need to travel long distances for health services, you may be able to get help through the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS). This can help with the costs of:
- private vehicle transport
- public transport
- accommodation
The South Australia Ambulance Service has transport for emergencies and non-emergencies.
You can also use the Royal Flying Doctor Service for travel to some appointments.
If you are travelling to get care for an unwell child, groups like Ronald McDonald House can help with the cost of your accommodation.
If you need to travel long distances, try to plan ahead.
Resources and support
Find out more about rural and remote health.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.