Wagga Wagga’s health care is set for a boost thanks to a new Wagga Wagga GP-based Urgent Care Service offering 100 appointments a week. Photo: Peopleimages.
A doctor shortage in Wagga means residents may have to wait for weeks to see their GP, but a new service could offer an alternative.
Urgent Care Services have been introduced across the state to help reduce pressure on emergency departments.
These services give people the treatment they need quickly for an illness or injury that is not an emergency, without a wait in a busy emergency department.
The newly opened Wagga Wagga GP-based Urgent Care Service will operate Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm year-round and will offer bulk-billing to patients.
The service offers about 100 GP-based appointments per week across seven practices in the Wagga Wagga area.
Each practice is staffed by GPs and nurses who are equipped to treat a range of urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries in partnership with the Federal Government’s Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network.
To access the Wagga Wagga GP-based Urgent Care Service, patients must call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess the patient’s condition and guide them to the care they need, which may include booking an appointment on the patient’s behalf.
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr applauded the announcement from the NSW Government, stating it would support patients who had extended waits between appointments.
“This is a very welcome enhancement to local health services that will improve access to care and reduce wait times for local patients,” Dr McGirr said.
“By providing patients with non-life-threatening conditions with quality, bulk-billed care, it will ease pressure on the emergency department at Wagga Base Hospital and deliver valuable healthcare alternatives to people from Wagga and surrounding communities.”
Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network CEO Stewart Gordon said the new service was designed to support the local healthcare sector at a critical time.
“The Wagga Wagga GP-based Urgent Care Service is designed to deliver better access to timely healthcare when it’s most needed,” he said.
“By making same-day GP appointments available at no cost, we’re helping residents get the right care quickly, and providing real solutions for our local communities.”
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the service would help ease pressure on the hospital and supply effective care for conditions that could be treated outside of an emergency room.
“This service will enable members of the community to receive care quickly for conditions which can be safely and appropriately treated outside our hospitals, including minor wounds which need stitches, and suspected broken bones,” he said.
“The NSW Government is expanding Urgent Care Services so communities such as Wagga Wagga can receive fast, effective care close to home, while also easing pressure on our emergency departments.”
