People in Sydney's inner south and Canterbury Bankstown area will be able to avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department (ED) for urgent conditions, thanks to an expansion of local urgent care services.
The Minns Labor Government has announced two new urgent care services at Green Square and Belmore will open next Monday, 15 July.
Both services will be open 365 days a year, from 8am to 8pm, staffed by General Practitioners and nurses, with important diagnostic services close by including radiology and pathology.
The services are well-supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries that are deemed urgent, but not life-threatening, such as minor wounds that need stitches, suspected broken bones and skin infections that need antibiotics.
To access the services, patients should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess the patient's condition and then discuss with the patient the best place for their care needs. This may include an appointment at an Urgent Care Service, a telehealth appointment with the virtualKIDS or virtualGP services, or escalating their care to other services like NSW Ambulance if required.
Healthcare provided at both Green Square and Belmore urgent care services are bulk billed.
The Green Square and Belmore urgent care services are being delivered in partnership with the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (PHN).
NSW Health is partnering with primary health networks to deliver additional urgent care services right across the state to ease pressure on busy hospital EDs and ensure the people of NSW continue to receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
The NSW Government has committed $124 million over two years to deliver 25 urgent care services in NSW by mid-2025. It is also supported by funding from the Commonwealth Government.
The Minns Labor Government has a plan to relieve pressure on EDs and reduce wait times, through our Budget emergency department relief package which will invest:
- $171.4 million to introduce additional virtual care services helping 180,000 people avoid a trip to the ED;
- $100 million to continue funding our urgent care services for a further two years to provide a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;
- $70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
- $15.1 million to for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times;
- $31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed; and
- $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identifying patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.
Quotes attributable to Premier of NSW Chris Minns:
"At a time when our EDs are packed and it's difficult to find a GP, this government is delivering alternative pathways to healthcare so people across the state get the timely healthcare they deserve.
"It's a win for patients who will get care closer to home when they need it, and it's a win for hospitals because it helps relieve pressure on our busy EDs."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"I'm committed to increasing availability of healthcare to communities through urgent care services just like these, which are aimed at bridging the gap between primary care and emergency care, ensuring that patients have fast access to the urgent care they need."
"Our health care system is under immense pressure, especially at this time of year with a huge volume of respiratory viruses circulating in the community."
Quotes attributable to Member for Heffron, Ron Hoeing:
"This is an incredibly important service for people living in Sydney's inner south, which will improve access to care, whilst also easing pressure on our local emergency departments which are among the busiest in the state."
Quotes attributable to Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis:
"This new service means the people of Canterbury-Bankstown have a genuine alternative to the ED for their urgent healthcare needs, we know how hard it is to get into a doctor and how under pressure our hospitals are, so this is really welcome in our community."
Quotes attributable to Central and Eastern Sydney PHN CEO, Ms Nathalie Hansen:
"These two new urgent care services will be open every day from 8am until 8pm, and we encourage community members who need access to fast medical attention for conditions that are not life-threatening, but which shouldn't be left untreated, to access the services."
"The services will work closely with local GPs and will improve access to urgent care in the regions, avoiding the need for long wait times at Emergency Departments."
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