The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is committed to providing the best possible care to all South Australians, including those who live in the regional, rural and remote parts of our state.
The RAH is pleased to provide this information to assist people living in country areas who need to travel to our hospital to receive specialised care.
Rural Liaison Nurse
The RAH’s Rural Liaison Nurse is a registered nurse who works within the hospital and is available to help you with a variety of matters, for example:
- accommodation
- transport
- organising a community nurse to visit you upon discharge home
The Rural Liaison Nurse works in partnership with hospital staff to assist in discharge planning and has good knowledge of the resources available in rural communities that may be able to assist you after discharge.
The Rural Liaison Nurse is available to support all rural and remote patients and their loved ones and carers Monday to Friday, 8am until 4.30pm.
For further information, contact HealthCNAHSRAHRuralLiaisonLink@sa.gov.au or 0401 123 857.
Accommodation
The RAH offers greater capacity to support loved ones and carers of country patients requiring accommodation. Each general inpatient room is fitted with a day bed allowing a relative or carer to stay overnight when it is in the patient’s best interests. Linen packs, including sheets and a pillow, will be available to hire.
A range of alternative low-cost accommodation options are also available nearby that are suitable for patients, family members and carers who are unable to stay at the hospital.
Visit the Accommodation page for more information.
Outpatient Appointments
Each day, hundreds of patients will visit the RAH for a specialist appointment. The outpatient and day treatment services have been designed to ensure a better experience for patients and their families
Most outpatient clinics at the Royal Adelaide Hospital will be located together on level 3, with 78 consulting rooms and 54 treatment rooms across six wings.
For further information, visit the Outpatient Appointments page or the guide below.
Patient Assistance Transport Scheme
The Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) is a subsidy program that provides money to pay for some travel, escort and accommodation costs when rural and remote South Australians travel over 100 kilometres each way to see a specialist.
You are eligible to make a PATS application if you live more than 100 kilometres away from the nearest treating specialist, your treatment is claimable under Medicare and if you have claimed any available benefits from your private health fund first (if applicable).
Visit the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme page for more if information.
Mobile Bone Density Service
The RAH Mobile Bone Densitometry Service continues to provide regional South Australians with a bone density screening service at selected country locations.
The service is specifically aimed at assisting management of peri and post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. Men at risk of osteoporosis will also be studied if referred.
The service visits selected country sites, based on local demographics, previous use of the service, and site suitability for the vehicle and network communications operating in each region for six to eight weeks. Follow up visits generally occur every 12 to 24 months.
Patients should be aware that access to the vehicle is via steps as shown in the photograph. Patients with limited mobility should consider the RAH department-based service which has full disabled facilities.
For bookings phone 1300 724 319, having a referral, Medicare Card and any concession card available. For more information including site visit locations email
HealthCNAHSRAHNuclearMedicine@sa.gov.au
