Residents living in the northern Illawarra region who require care for minor injuries or illness will have access to Bulli Urgent Care Centre (UCC) seven days a week, with the service extending opening hours to include Sundays from this weekend.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the extended coverage will ensure the community can receive care quickly for conditions which can be safely and appropriately treated outside the emergency department.
"I am delighted to announce we're delivering on our election commitment by expanding access to the Bulli UCC to seven days, which will continue to help ease pressure on busy emergency departments, and of course, reduce wait times for those with less urgent conditions," Mr Park said.
"This model of care remains a real success story. The number of presentations being managed now has more than doubled to an average of 36 people a day, compared with around 15 to 20 in June 2022.
"We know many people who visit our emergency departments could receive timelier and better tailored care in a community setting.
"Services providing urgent care like this one bridge that gap, providing a better option for patients who receive care faster and closer to home."
Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said having the centre open on Saturdays and Sundays will make a real difference to the community.
"This is an important enhancement to health services for our community - it gives people a genuine alternative outside of a busy ED, when they have difficulty getting a GP appointment, or when their GP is closed, such as on a weekend," Ms Stuart said.
"Bulli UCC is an important part of the local healthcare network, especially for people living in the Illawarra's northern suburbs. The Bulli UCC has seen a significant increase in presentations since it re-opened after COVID, and again when we extended operations to six days a week in June last year.
"The Bulli UCC is well-supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries which are deemed urgent, but not life-threatening, such as wounds, minor burns, infections, sprains, minor breaks, gastroenteritis, rashes and conjunctivitis."
With the extension of the Bulli UCC on 11 February, it will be open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Patients who attend on the weekend will be able to access the usual weekday services, including radiology.
The Bulli UCC is staffed by a combination of nursing and medical teams, supported by GP Visiting Medical Officers and Nurse Practitioners.
People are reminded that if they are experiencing an emergency such as a life-threatening illness or injury, they should go straight to Wollongong Hospital ED which provides a higher level of care, or phone Triple Zero (000).
NSW Health has partnered with Primary Health Networks to deliver additional Urgent Care Services right across the state, in an effort to ease pressure on busy hospital EDs and ensure the people of NSW receive the most appropriate care.
The NSW Government has committed $124 million over two years to deliver 25 Urgent Care Services in NSW by mid-2025.
Bulli Hospital has also made it easier for locals to visit loved ones in hospital by expanding its free shuttle service.
From Monday 12 February, the Bulli Hospital Shuttle Bus will be available to visitors and carers as well as staff. The hours of operation will be extended and include an on-demand option from locations within the Bulli area.
Parking is available at Bulli Showground, where the shuttle service will run every 15 minutes. The bus will drop off at the front entrance doors of Bulli Hospital, and return. The service will be in operation Monday to Friday 6.45am to 4.45pm.
"We know parking around the hospital can be a challenge, and while longer-term options are being investigated, it's terrific to see the free shuttle service expanded to provide a great alternative to driving and parking at the hospital," Mr Park said.
