Further efforts to relieve demand on emergency departments with expanded urgent care services are a step closer today, with expressions of interest now open.
The urgent care services, a joint commitment of the NSW and Victorian governments, can help ease pressure on emergency departments by giving people faster care for urgent but non-critical conditions and free up critical resources for patients with more serious needs.
As a result of the expression of interest process, it is expected that urgent care services will be enhanced in Western Sydney. Existing urgent care services are located in Wentworthville, Rouse Hill, Marsden Park and Castle Hill.
A total of 25 urgent care services will operate across New South Wales, with the expression of interest process to fill the remaining sites.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was stepping up to provide a service which supports the primary care sector and reduces pressure on emergency departments.
“We know the Federal Government is looking at providing more support for GPs and primary care but we need to act now to continue to make the NSW health system the best in Australia,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Demand on emergency departments nationwide is at unprecedented levels, with many thousands of people presenting for treatment as they haven’t been able to see a GP, and often they don’t require emergency care.
“This initiative will help give people with non-critical conditions convenient and streamlined care.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said by expanding our urgent care services, the NSW Government is bridging the gap between GP Practices and hospitals.
“More people than ever are presenting to our hospitals, and with COVID still in our community, our health services are understandably under pressure,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We need to be bold and try different things to improve health outcomes in our communities and that is exactly what this initiative will achieve.
“By expanding the footprint of urgent care services across NSW, we will ensure that people can get the high quality care they need for less serious conditions and also free up space in our emergency departments.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the latest quarterly BHI figures reveal almost 375,000 people attending our EDs – almost half of all those coming in for treatment – were for non-critical conditions.
“Our health staff will always triage the most urgent and life-threatening cases first, which means less urgent cases who could get their treatment at a GP, end up waiting,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The expanded urgent care services, which include partnerships with General Practitioners, aim to free up those critical resources in our emergency departments for patients with more serious needs.”
Under the joint commitment with Victoria, 25 urgent care services will operate in each state for extended hours to offer more care outside the hospital system.
These services will be well equipped to handle conditions such as sprains, broken bones, wounds, insect bites and minor ear and eye problems. Patients will not be charged, and patients without a Medicare card will also have access free of charge.
Urgent care services can be delivered through a variety of models. Expressions of interest are being sought from local health districts, specialty health networks, and from general practices through primary health networks.
