The Sutherland Shire community will be able to access healthcare in a more timely way, and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department with a new Urgent Care Service opening today.
The Caringbah Urgent Care Service is being delivered in partnership with the Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network.
The Caringbah Urgent Care Service will be open 365 days a year, from 8am to 8pm, and will be staffed by staffed by General Practitioners and nurses with important diagnostic services on-site including radiology and pathology.
To access the service, patients should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess the patient's condition and guide them to the care they need, including booking an appointment at the service on the patient's behalf or escalating their care to other services like NSW Ambulance if required.
Healthcare provided at Caringbah Urgent Care Service will be bulk billed.
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 continue to receive care at the right time and place.
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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"This new Urgent Care Service will mean the local community can receive care quickly for conditions which can be safely and appropriately treated outside the region's busy EDs."
"We know Urgent Care Centres and Services work, and we're already seeing great success across the state with new services being established where thousands of people will be successfully diverted from EDs into more appropriate care."
"The service is well-supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries deemed urgent, but not life-threatening, such as minor wounds that need stiches, suspected broken bones and skin infections that need antibiotics."
Quotes attributable to Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network Nathalie Hansen:
"The service is committed to providing patients with the best possible care and will be free for both Medicare card holders and community-based asylum seekers."
"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 Caringbah Urgent Care Service."
"This service will work closely with local GPs and will improve access to primary care in the region avoiding the need for long wait times at Emergency Departments."
Quotes attributable to Sarah Kaine MLC, Labor Spokesperson for Cronulla and Miranda:
"I really welcome access to an urgent care service for the residents of Caringbah and surrounding communities."
"It's a win-win situation, it takes pressure off our busy hospitals and makes urgent healthcare more accessible for our communities."