Free virtual health care is now available to every person in NSW for urgent conditions, including right here in Penrith, following the completion of the rollout of NSW Health’s virtual urgent care service.

It now means everyone in NSW can access urgent clinical care for injuries and illnesses without needing to visit a hospital or GP, right from the comfort of your own home.

Almost 16,000 patients accessed virtual care over the past financial year as the service incrementally expanded across metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW.

This is in addition to the over 216,000 attendances to NSW urgent care services or clinics over the 2024-25 fiscal year.

It coincides with significant improvements in emergency department wait times as well as improvements in ambulance ramping.

NSW virtual care services are available by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess your condition over the phone and, if virtual care is appropriate, arrange an video-call appointment with a clinician—whether that’s a doctor, nurse or allied health professional. You’ll receive expert advice on treatment options, prescriptions if needed, and referrals to follow-up care.

This service is available 7 days a week between the hours of 8am and 10pm.

NSW virtual urgent care services are equipped to manage a wide range of health concerns. This includes the management of coughs, colds, fevers and flu; treatment for vomiting, diarrhoea or mild infections, rashes and skin irritations; or minor injuries such as sprains and small cuts.

This builds on our budget emergency department relief package which is investing:

$100 million to back in our urgent care services to become a mainstay and key instrument of the health system in providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals;

$70 million 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 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 identified patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM said:

“I’m proud that people in Penrith now have access to free virtual urgent care, giving families a safe, convenient way to get medical attention without having to wait in an emergency department or struggle to book a GP.

“This service is about making healthcare more accessible. Whether it’s a parent with a sick child late in the evening or an older resident managing a minor health concern, help is now just a phone call and a video appointment away.

“We know our hospitals do an incredible job, but too often people with non-life-threatening conditions end up in our EDs simply because they can’t access a GP. Virtual urgent care gives our community another pathway to treatment and takes pressure off Nepean Hospital.

“This is about common sense reform – more options for care outside of the hospital, better support for patients, and lower wait times. That’s a win for families here in Penrith and across New South Wales.”