The Minns Labor Government has expanded a new free virtual healthcare service to the Blue Mountains and all Sydney residents.
Residents from Nepean Blue Mountains, Western Sydney, South West Sydney, Central Coast and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Districts will be able to access free and safe virtual care for non-life threatening conditions, right from the comfort of their own home.
It is expected to save 85,000 people from an unnecessary wait in an emergency department each year.
This virtual care service will provide care for urgent but non-life threatening illnesses or injuries including:
- Coughs, colds, fevers and flu;
- Respiratory symptoms;
- Vomiting and diarrhoea; or
- Minor infections and rashes.
The service will be available between 8am and 10pm seven days a week for people aged 16 years and older.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle has welcomed the decision.
“Anything that eases the burden on our community in accessing a GP in the Mountains is so welcome,” Ms Doyle said.
“Given the limited access to GP's and people not wanting to clog up emergency departments, this is a great initiative for our Blue Mountains community.”
Residents can access the service by phoning HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 where patients will speak to a registered nurse who will assess your condition, and if appropriate, refer on to the virtual care service.
The service uses video conferencing technology to connect patients with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, including doctors and nurses, where clinically appropriate.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said:
“Today, we are announcing that virtual care for non-life threatening conditions will now be available to all residents across Sydney.
“This virtual care service is a free, convenient and safe way to access care right from the comfort of home,” Minister Park said.
“People from right across Sydney will be able to avoid a wait for a GP or in a hospital through this expanded virtual care service.
“It will relieve pressure on our busy emergency departments by creating more alternative pathways to care outside the hospital.”
Virtual care forms part of a broader range of measures to relieve pressure on the state’s busy EDs, including:
- $100 million investment for a further two years to continue urgent care services, providing a pathway to care outside of the state’s hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;
- $70 million over 4 years to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
- $15.1 million 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 over 4 years to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing more than 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 that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.
MEDIA CONTACT: Daryl Tan | Minister Park | 0422 028 222
MEDIA CONTACT: Brenda Cunningham-Lewis | Trish Doyle | (02) 4751 3298
