As of Monday 18 July, up-to 40% of patients that currently present to hospital emergency departments (ED) in Western Sydney may be suitable for referral to an Urgent Care Service centre thanks to a cutting-edge initiative under the Western Sydney Care Collective.
Designed to avoid unnecessary hospital presentations, Western Sydney residents are now able to call the Urgent Care Line on 1800 371 372 and have their care needs assessed by trained clinicians. Where it is appropriate and safe to do so, those patients with non-life-threatening, triage category 4 and 5 conditions will then be booked into a local Urgent Care Service (UCS) centre. UCS centres offer patients a community-based alternative to ED, where they can receive treatment for low acuity conditions without the long wait times.
Unlike usual care general practices, UCS centres are designed to provide short-term, episodic care for conditions requiring same-day assessment or treatment. This means that UCS staff are trained and equipped to respond to a range of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries such as burns, cuts requiring stitches, suspended fractures, sprains and dislocations, bites, skin rashes, diarrhoea and vomiting, and removal of foreign objects from skin, eyes and ears. UCS centres offer extended operating hours, free access to diagnostic imaging services, rapid access to specialists and streamlined referral pathways to Healthcare Neighbourhood providers.
Since Urgent Care Service centres are designed to be episodic, after receiving treatment, patients return to their regular GP for follow-up treatment. UCS centres provide a warm handover and detailed discharge summary to the patient’s regular GP so that they can continue to provide ongoing care.
How Do My Patients Access Urgent Care Services?
Patients and health professionals can call the Urgent Care Line on 1300 371 372. The line is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Phase 2 will see a dedicated practitioner line, allowing GPs to conduct an assessment of their patient and make a booking at a local UCS should they deem it necessary and appropriate for their patient.
Urgent Care Line staff will assess the patient’s needs and book them into an available Urgent Care Service centre if appropriate.
Consultation and treatment at a UCS centre is free for any Western Sydney resident with a valid Medicare card.
A comprehensive, large-scale community awareness campaign has been created to drive consumer behaviour change and awareness of this new initiative.
Who Operates Urgent Care Service Centres?
Urgent Care Service centres are operated by primary care providers in Western Sydney. Currently, four UCSs have been established at Wentworthville Medical & Dental Centre, Our Medical Home Marsden Park, Rouse Hill Family Medical Practice, and Castle Hill Medical Centre Barwell.
Urgent Care Service centres are a Western Sydney Care Collective initiative, a collaboration between the Western Sydney Primary Health Network and the Western Sydney Local Health District. This collaboration between integrated primary and acute care aims to create a cohesive ‘One Western Sydney’ health care system.
Where Can I Learn More?
More information on the Urgent Care Line and Urgent Care Service is available on the Western Sydney Care Collective website. You can also read about other community-based programs under this innovative partnership.
