SALHN

Specialised Clinical Services

Beyond general medicine and surgery, SALHN provides a number of highly specialised, state-wide, and tertiary-level services, primarily based at the Flinders Medical Centre (FMC). These establish it as a critical referral centre for South Australia and beyond.

• Trauma and Emergency Services: FMC is one of Adelaide's two designated Level 1 Trauma Centres, equipped to handle the most critically injured patients from across the state.

• Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery: It is a major centre for heart health, offering advanced cardiac investigations, interventions (like angioplasty and stenting), and complex heart and lung surgery.

• Cancer Services: The Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer provides comprehensive cancer care, including medical and radiation oncology, haematology, and palliative care. It is known for its integrated approach that combines treatment with cutting-edge research and patient support programs.

• Neurosciences: SALHN offers a wide range of services for complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, and brain tumours.

• Maternal and Neonatal Health: The Women's and Children's Division at FMC provides specialist services for high-risk pregnancies, births, and neonatal intensive care for premature and unwell babies.

• Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation: FMC is the sole provider of kidney transplantation for adults in South Australia and is also a national leader in pancreas transplantation.

Of course. Building on the general overview, here are more specific details about the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN), focusing on its clinical specialities, research and innovation, community engagement, and recent developments.

Specialised Clinical Services

Beyond general medicine and surgery, SALHN provides a number of highly specialised, state-wide, and tertiary-level services, primarily based at the Flinders Medical Centre (FMC). These establish it as a critical referral centre for South Australia and beyond.

• Trauma and Emergency Services: FMC is one of Adelaide's two designated Level 1 Trauma Centres, equipped to handle the most critically injured patients from across the state.

• Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery: It is a major centre for heart health, offering advanced cardiac investigations, interventions (like angioplasty and stenting), and complex heart and lung surgery.

• Cancer Services: The Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer provides comprehensive cancer care, including medical and radiation oncology, haematology, and palliative care. It is known for its integrated approach that combines treatment with cutting-edge research and patient support programs.

• Neurosciences: SALHN offers a wide range of services for complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, and brain tumours.

• Maternal and Neonatal Health: The Women's and Children's Division at FMC provides specialist services for high-risk pregnancies, births, and neonatal intensive care for premature and unwell babies.

• Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation: FMC is the sole provider of kidney transplantation for adults in South Australia and is also a national leader in pancreas transplantation.

Research and Innovation

SALHN has a very strong reputation for medical research and innovation, driven by its close partnership with Flinders University and the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI).

• Integrated Health Hub: The co-location of Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University's College of Medicine and Public Health, and the FHMRI creates a powerful hub for translational research. This means clinical problems identified in the hospital can be directly investigated in the lab, and research discoveries can be quickly translated back into patient care.

• Key Research Areas: Strengths include research in cancer, neuroscience (particularly sleep and brain health), cardiovascular health, and mental health. The network is also home to leading researchers in public health and health services delivery.

• Clinical Trials: As a patient, this means access to a significant number of clinical trials for new therapies, drugs, and medical devices, offering cutting-edge treatment options.

Community and Population Health

SALHN places a significant emphasis on care outside of the hospital walls, aiming to keep people healthy and supported in their own communities.

• Hospital in the Home (HITH): This service provides acute, hospital-level care to patients in their own homes, which can be more comfortable for the patient and helps to free up hospital beds.

• Chronic Disease Management: A major focus is on supporting people with long-term conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and chronic lung disease. Multidisciplinary teams work with patients to manage their health and prevent hospital admissions.

• Aboriginal Health Services: The Aboriginal Family Clinics and dedicated Aboriginal Health Workers across SALHN provide culturally safe and holistic primary care. The service is committed to "Closing the Gap" in health outcomes and is guided by its Aboriginal Health Action Plan. This involves ensuring services are accessible, respectful, and meet the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the south.

• Mental Health Services: In addition to the specialised veterans' services at the Jamie Larcombe Centre, SALHN provides a broad range of mental health care, from community-based teams and rehabilitation services to acute inpatient units at the Margaret Tobin Centre at FMC.