Murray HealthPathways - September 2026 Newsletter

Over the past quarter, the HealthPathways team has continued to develop and refine local guidance to support clinicians across the Murray PHN region. As our communities continue to experience the challenges of an ageing population, increasing chronic disease, workforce shortages and varying access to services, HealthPathways plays an important role in helping clinicians navigate evidence-based care and local referral options. In this edition, we highlight dementia resources, new pathways, a new look site design, digital health developments and snapshot on HealthPathways use.

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Dementia Action Week 21 – 27 September

Dementia is Australia’s leading cause of death, but it’s not talked about nearly enough.

Dementia Action Week is an opportunity to start conversations about brain health and dementia. Consider discussing dementia risk reduction with eligible patients, sharing local support resources with families and carers, reviewing patients with memory concerns, and familiarising yourself with these dementia-related pathways and resources available through Murray HealthPathways:

• Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
  
• Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
  
• 5 Minute Neurological Exam for Patients with Possible Dementia
  
• Medications for Dementia
  
• End-stage Dementia
  
• Dementia Support and Resources

Resources for individuals living with dementia and their families

Health professionals are encouraged to share our dementia resources and support directory with patients, families and carers to help connect them with local information and services.

To support people living with dementia to live well, consumer resources were developed by Murray PHN in collaboration with Victorian PHNs and with consultation with local support groups. A brochure and booklet (available in English and 10 other languages) point to a local online support directory. To view or order resources, click here.

Dementia risk reduction stakeholder kit

Developed by the DHDA, the new dementia risk reduction stakeholder kit aims to help you communicate with people in midlife and primary care practitioners about reducing dementia risk.

The kit supports a letter sent by the department in July and August to Australians who recently turned 50 that encourages people to take practical steps to reduce their risk of dementia. Download the stakeholder kit here.

Dementia training program funding

Funding is now available to deliver education and training in dementia care to health and aged care workers. The Australian Government has opened a $52.8 million grant opportunity to deliver the national Dementia Training Program. To learn more and apply, click here. Applications close 29 September 2026

New pathways

The following new pathways have been developed over the past quarter to support clinicians with up-to-date locally relevant guidance:

• Care Finder Service
• Slow weight gain in infants
• Sexual Health in Youth
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
• Infant Sleep Concerns

Upcoming updates

Over the coming months, the Rural Health suite of pathways will be updated. Since 2023, Murray PHN has led the development and review of the rural health suite of pathways, assisting with conditions that more commonly occur in rural and remote areas.

New look HealthPathways site coming

Murray HealthPathways will have a refreshed look and feel, designed to provide a more intuitive user experience and help clinicians access information more efficiently at the point of care.

The site will be updated in the near future and will features a cleaner, more modern interface, a more prominent search function and responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes. These enhancements aim to make it easier to navigate pathways, find key information, access local referral guidance and track learning using the CPD Notes feature.

Digital health continues to evolve rapidly, creating new opportunities to improve efficiency, care coordination and patient access across regional communities. Several resources are highlighted below to support clinicians to navigate emerging technologies and digital care tools.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scribes- This RACGP Fact sheet aims to assist GPs and practice teams in understanding the potential advantages, disadvantages and administrative considerations of implementing AI scribes in their practice.
  
• Cyber security - Murray PHN - Cyber security remains a growing priority for healthcare providers. Visit Murray PHN's Cyber Security hub for practical resources and training to help protect your practice, staff and patient information from cyber threats
• Video for patients – Learn how to view pathology and diagnostic imaging reports in My Health Record using the 1800MEDICARE app or online. This short video also explains how to manage access to your health information and request corrections if needed.

July – September insights

Trending searches: hypertension, UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), otitis media, gout, asthma.

Top five most viewed pathways:

1. Antenatal Care – First Consult
2. Osteoporosis
3. Headaches in Adults
4. Abnormal Liver Function Tests
5. Hypertension

Since the introduction of individualised accounts in April 2025, 1903 primary care professionals have registered for access to Murray HealthPathways.

If you haven’t already registered to access HealthPathways, you can do so here.

HealthPathways in practice

"I am a fourth-year Monash University medical student currently completing an 18-week GP placement. Having access to Murray HealthPathways would greatly support both my learning and clinical experience. It appears to be a fantastic resource for GP knowledge, and all the GPs at the clinic use it regularly, making it valuable to learn alongside them."

-Fourth-year medical student

Contact the Murray HealthPathways team

If you would like more information or to request access or assistance, contact the Murray HealthPathways team by emailing: infohealthpathways@murrayphn.org.au or calling 03 4408 5600.

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).
We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing.

We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Copyright © 2026 Murray PHN (ABN 92 156 423 755), All rights reserved.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this newsletter is accurate.
Murray PHN gratefully acknowledges the financial and other support from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

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