The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, and Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor, today visited the Urgent Care Service (UCS) at Wentworthville Medical and Dental Centre to announce that expressions of interest are now open to health care providers who want to participate in the joint initiative.
Wentworthville UCS, a Western Sydney Care Collective (WSCC) initiative established by the Western Sydney Primary Health Network and Western Sydney Local Health District, was the first service of its kind to be set up in Western Sydney and demonstrates the impact of community-based urgent care services.
Expressions of interest are being sought from local health districts, specialty health networks, and general practices through Primary Health Networks.
“This initiative will help give people with non-critical conditions convenient and streamlined care,” Mr Perrottet said.
In the first year of operation, Wentworthville Urgent Care Service treated 2,257 patients for non-life-threatening conditions. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) estimates that well-coordinated general practices could manage nearly one-third of all emergency department presentations, saving $1.5 billion a year[1].
The expansion of community-based urgent care services under the WSCC initiative, and the additional services announced by Premier Perrottet that 25 urgent care services will operate in both NSW and Victoria for extended hours to offer more care outside the hospital system will help ensure that patients receive timely, quality care. This new approach to the treatment of low-acuity conditions will help assist in keeping emergency departments available for more acute and life-threatening presentations.
“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,” Mrs Taylor said.
This investment into urgent care services in primary care will alleviate pressure on emergency departments and further strengthen community-based integrated care in the Western Sydney region, said Ray Messom, Chief Executive Officer of WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network.
“This new innovative community-based model is already getting some great outcomes, with many patients reporting positive experiences. It has been so rewarding to see these new services being co-designed by consumers, general practitioners and specialists. Western Sydney ingenuity and community leadership at its best, with great support by NSW Health’s Collaborative Commissioning Program.
Our strong partnership with WSLHD has already allowed us to integrate emergency, urgent and primary care services. This joined-up approach means our Urgent Care Line and four Urgent Care Services, operating out of four existing general practices, provide a seamless care pathway.
The Premier’s announcement will build upon this future-focussed model, creating a unique opportunity to integrate primary and hospital care”, Mr Messom said.
Currently, Urgent Care Services in Western Sydney can treat non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses such as fractures, dislocations, non-venomous bites, wounds, minor burns, and cuts requiring stitches. By utilising existing capacity within primary health care practices, hospital resources can be freed up to treat more serious conditions. The expansion of urgent care services across NSW will prevent the missing middle of Australian patients from falling through the gaps.
Urgent Care Services in Western Sydney are an initiative under the Western Sydney Care Collective program, a partnership between the WSPHN and WSLHD. Services are currently available in Castle Hill, Marsden Park, Rouse Hill and Wentworthville.
These services are 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.
The Urgent Care Line is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, except on public holidays, on 1800 371 372.
If you’d like to know more about Urgent Care Services in Western Sydney, contact us at wscarecollective@wentwest.com.au or visit urgentcare-ws.com.au
[1] RACGP, Vision for General Practice and a sustainable healthcare system (2019) available online: https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/e8ad4284-34d3-48ca-825e-45d58b2d49da/The-Vision-for-general-practice.aspx