Communities in the Central Coast are benefitting from more timely access to urgent care, with more than 25,000 visits made to the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service since it opened in December 2023.
Since opening, the service has supported the community with timely care for a wide range of conditions that can be safely and appropriately treated outside of busy public hospital emergency departments (EDs). These include musculoskeletal conditions (sprains, pains, minor fractures, and plaster care), respiratory conditions, infections, minor injuries, rashes, bites and stings.
This Urgent Care Service is just one example of the services the Minns Government is delivering and expanding, making it easier for patients and families to access the care they need.
Open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, including public holidays, the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service is staffed by general practitioners, nurses and allied health clinicians. The service also offers access to onsite pathology and works with local radiology providers during business hours when imaging is required.
The multidisciplinary team is able to provide patients with high quality and safe healthcare, including referring them to Central Coast Local Health District's Hospital in the Home service or other community services if additional care and support are needed.
Patients who have a non life-threatening condition should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free advice, anytime of the day or night. A registered nurse will assess the patient's condition and connect them to the right care, which can include referral to an Urgent Care Service.
Patients needing language support can call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.
The Minns Labor Government is investing in a suite of ED alternative pathways in an effort to ease pressure on busy hospital EDs and ensure the people of NSW receive the most appropriate care.
This includes:
- $171.4 million to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED.
- $100 million to continue urgent care services for a further two years to 30 June 2027 to provide a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients
- $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
- $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.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health Ryan Park
"Urgent Care Services like the one at Long Jetty are a key strategy in reducing pressure on our EDs and ensuring patients receive timely care.
"Every day we see how valuable this service is for the Central Coast community. Patients appreciate being able to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
"This is why the Minns Government is continuing to invest in and expand access to ED alternatives."
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Central Coast David Harris:
"The numbers speak for themselves, 25,000 visits to the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service since it opened less than two and a half years ago represents a lot of people receiving timely care and treatment and a large relief for our region's busy EDs.
"It is wonderful that people in the growing north of the Coast have this care option and that they are making such good use of it."
Quotes attributable to Member for The Entrance David Mehan:
"I want to thank the wonderful staff at the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service. Thanks to their dedication many people on the Central Coast have been able to receive timely advice and treatment without needing to attend a busy ED.
"I encourage anyone unsure about the type of care they need to contact Healthdirect, who can guide them to the most appropriate service."
Quote attributable to Central Coast Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Jude Constable:
"We are really pleased to be able to offer the community this service and to help make it easier for them to receive the care they need for urgent health conditions, particularly at times when they might find it difficult to make an appointment with their usual GP.
"Long Jetty Urgent Care Service is providing an important alternative option for the community while helping to keep our EDS for people with more serious conditions."
