The Minns Labor Government has expanded a new free virtual healthcare service to residents in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.

Residents will be able to access free and safe virtual care for non-life threatening conditions, right from the comfort of their own home.

The 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.

You can access this service by phoning HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 where patients will first speak to a registered nurse who will assess your condition, and if appropriate, refer you 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.

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 our urgent care services, providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;
• $70 million over 4 years to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow and 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 over 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.

Karen McKeown, Member for Penrith, said:
“Penrith residents can now benefit from free, convenient, and accessible virtual care services to help treat non-life threatening conditions.”

“With the GP shortage putting a strain on our community, people from right across the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District will be able to avoid wait times for a GP or in a hospital through this expanded virtual care service.

“The service will relieve pressure on our busy emergency departments by creating more alternative pathways to receive care from the comfort of your home.”