The service is 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, and 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.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said “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”.
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.
State MP for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis, said the 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”.
MP praises urgent care service expansion
IT is hoped that the expansion of local urgent care services to include Belmore, will help more people avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department (ED) for urgent conditions.
