South Australians living with chronic disease will benefit from almost quarter of a million dollars in grant funding to support projects which improve their healthcare experience, better connect services and support collaboration.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said chronic conditions are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia, with almost 20 percent of South Australians living with more than one chronic condition between 2018 and 2021.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to investing in projects that will support South Australians living with chronic disease, to improve their health and wellbeing,” Minister Wade said.

“The four successful recipients of the second round of Wellbeing SA’s Chronic Disease Integrated Partnership Grants will each receive $60,000 to help improve integration across our health services, improve health outcomes and reduce pressure on our hospital system as a whole.

“We are pleased to support the four successful applicants; Sonder, Herd of Hope, Viva Mutual and Diabetes SA. I am looking forward to seeing how each of these projects unfold in the year ahead.”

Wellbeing SA Acting Chief Executive, Jeanette Walters, said the grants are designed to build on existing services and programs and enhance partnerships between Primary Health Networks, Local Health Networks, General Practice, government and non-government organisations and the community.

“Each of the four project partners are partnering with other organisations which have together co-invested in the projects a total of almost $200,000, further strengthening the impact of the initiatives,” Ms Walters said.

“All four of our recipients demonstrated how their projects will assist in delivering more connected care, with people at the centre, and assist people to manage their own chronic conditions.”

Previous recipients of these grants include Diabetes SA, Asthma Australia, Baptist Care SA, SAPMEA and Palliative Care SA. For more information, visit https://wellbeingsa.sa.gov.au/chronicdiseasegrants

The successful projects are:

Peer to Peer Connection Program – Herd of Hope – $60,000

The project aims to address issues faced by regionally based pre- and post-transplant recipients, their carers and siblings by establishing peer to peer networks between people in regional areas. By providing access to others who have lived experience and understand the issues involved, the project will deliver intervention and support for people to achieve better health outcomes. Up to 120 participants will be part of the program which will involve attending a camp and participating in activities to form bonds and build resilience. Herd of Hope is a charity started by Tanunda resident and post-transplant recipient Megan McLoughlin.

Partners: Mental Health Partners, Royal Adelaide Hospital Renal Clinic, Country SA PHN, Sweetest Gift, Kuchel Contractors, University of South Australia, Donate Life.

Co-contribution: $79,266

Healthy Habits 2Go Interprofessional Student Led Clinic – Sonder – $60,000

The project aims to implement an interprofessional, allied health student-led service to improve access to healthy lifestyle services for low income community members who require support for chronic condition management. The project will integrate and build upon two existing programs and services – the Sonder Healthy Habits program and Healthy for Life Screening Clinic, within the Flinders Health2Go clinic.

Partners: Flinders University, Mission Australia.

Co-contribution: $32,000

Disability and Chronic Disease: Primary care and disability service providers engaging to improve health outcomes and minimise hospital presentations – Viva Mutual Foundation Ltd – $60,000

The project has a focus on the high needs cohort of people who are living with a disability who often experience poorer primary care access and health outcomes. The intent of the project is to improve access to health care, quality of life and minimise hospitalisation of people who live with a disability and also have chronic disease conditions. The project will work with existing disability clients and their GPs to support better primary care service delivery. The project will aim to improve access to GP and primary care services and integration between for people living with a disability.

Partners: Simple Healthcare Solutions Pty Ltd, Dr Andrew Kellie, East Adelaide Healthcare.

Co-contribution: $24,000

Co-developing effective and sustainable engagement strategies to improve healthcare services for Indian-born South Australians with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes – Diabetes SA – $60,000

The project will partner and co-design with people who are newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes within the Indian born South Australian population to improve engagement strategies for the early detection, prevention and management of type 2 diabetes in this cohort. This will include the development of Cultural and Language Diversity (CALD) specific materials and appropriate referral mechanisms for this community cohort.

Partners: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Adelaide, the South Australian Indian Medical Association, Adelaide PHN, Flinders University, Adelaide University, Multicultural Communities of South Australia, and the Indian Australian Association of South Australia.

Co-contribution: $64,584