SA Health Geriatric Outreach Services

SA Health Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) deliver specialist multidisciplinary geriatric services to support eligible older people with changes in behaviour due to a diagnosis of dementia or progressive cognitive decline.

We support people to:

transition from hospital to a residential aged care home (respite or permanent care)
avoid unnecessary hospital visits from residential aged care when safe and appropriate.

This is achieved by working together with the older person, their family/substitute decision makers, and other services involved in the older person’s care.

GOS are Local Health Network (LHN) services. Primary Care and Aged Care can access GOS to support the care of older people.

Services available

SA Health GOS are delivered by LHN multidisciplinary teams that specialise in the care of older people living with dementia and may include:

Geriatricians
Nurses
Occupational Therapists
Social Workers
Speech Pathologists
Pharmacists

In line with the older person’s needs, SA Health GOS may provide care face-to- face or virtually or a mix of both.

Services may include:

multidisciplinary assessment of the older person and environment,
care and behaviour support planning tailored to individual needs,
access to tailored ‘wrap around’ support based on the older person’s and aged care home’s needs,
access to direct admission pathways if required.

Working in partnership

GOS work with Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs), and other services involved in the older person’s care to ensure:

resources are optimised,
roles and responsibilities are defined and
older people receive the right service, at the right time, in the right place.

GOS work closely with other key services including, but not limited to:

General Practitioners
SA Ambulance Service and SA Virtual Care Services
Older Persons Mental Health Services
other dementia support services
other LHN hospital avoidance and hospital substitution services

Patient eligibility criteria

Eligibility is prioritised for patients who:

are aged 65 years or over OR Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 years or over AND
are in hospital and on a pathway to residential aged care OR in a residential aged care home and at risk of hospitalisation AND
are experiencing changed behaviours due to a diagnosis of dementia/ progressive cognitive decline.

GOS may also be able to provide services to older people with other conditions on an individual case-by-case basis.

For specific information regarding eligibility for older persons in your area, please go to your LHN links and information below.

Accessing SA Health GOS - contact information

SA Health GOS are being rolled out across all LHNs across South Australia. Referrals must come from a health professional with consent for referral provided by the older person or substitute decision maker. For information about referrals and opening hours in your area, see specific LHN information below.

Metropolitan LHNs

Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Visit the CALHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) page for information on how to contact or make a referral.

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

The new SALHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) are located at the Repatriation Health Precinct (RHP).

The SALHN GOS can be contacted for referrals 7 days a week 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Phone: 1300 815 155
Email: Health.SALHNGOS@sa.gov.au

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network

NALHN Geriatric Services, which includes the Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) can be contacted for referrals and enquiries 7 days a week 8:00 am to 8:30 pm.

Phone: 0468 545 491
Email Health.NALHNRACFInReach@sa.gov.au.

Regional LHNs

Please note: Each regional LHN is working towards developing Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) to meet local needs.

If you have queries or for more information, please contact the relevant LHN below.

Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network

For information on the BHFLHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) - Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Phone: 0478 382 525
Email: Health.BHFLHNGeriatricOS@sa.gov.au

Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network

For information on the RMCLHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) - Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Phone: 0435 583 535 or (08) 8580 4195
E-mail: Health.RMCLHNGeriatricServicesRiverland@sa.gov.au

Limestone Coast Local Health Network

For information on the LCLHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) - Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Email: Health.LCLHNgeriatricoutreachservice@sa.gov.au

Yorke and Northern Local Health Network

For information on the YNLHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) - Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Phone: (08) 8638 1100
Email: Health.YNLHNCommunityHealthReferrals@sa.gov.au

Eyre and Far North Local Health Network

For information on the EFNLHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) - Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Email: health.efngos@sa.gov.au

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network

For information on the FUNLHN Geriatric Outreach Services (GOS) - Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Email: Health.FUNLHNGeriatricOutreachService@sa.gov.au

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Last updated: 06 May 2026