Emergency departments across Northern NSW are under mounting pressure this winter, with hospitals treating almost two dozen more patients a day than at the same time last year, and health bosses are urging locals to think twice before heading straight to the ED.
From Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August, emergency departments across Northern NSW’s 12 hospitals and Multi-Purpose Service sites treated an average of 636 patients a day, an increase of 22 patients compared with the same week last year.
NNSWLHD Executive Director Clinical Operations Lynne Weir said the district has a range of strategies in place to prepare for the increased demand, but people with non-life-threatening conditions are encouraged to look at alternatives before presenting to an ED.
“Our hospitals across Northern NSW are extremely busy this winter, and we are expecting them to get busier over coming weeks,” Ms Weir said.
“If your condition is not life-threatening, please consider calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for fast and free health advice. When you call Healthdirect, a registered nurse will assess your condition and guide you to the care you need, which could be a local health service, such as an urgent care service, or connect you with a virtual care service.”
A dedicated Patient Flow Unit of nurses, administrators and coordinators is working behind the scenes to track emergency pressures across the district, working closely with NSW Ambulance and the state-wide NSW Health System Operations Command Centre in Sydney to safely redirect suitable patients to hospitals with spare capacity.
“Our Patient Flow Unit is just one of the ways we have prepared our region for Winter,” Ms Weir said. “We have also increased inpatient capacity, provided strengthened discharge planning support and enhanced community-based care.”
“Additionally, we are focussed on promoting vaccination and virtual healthcare in the community, while focusing on keeping our workforce safe and well during winter through workforce planning and vaccination programs.”
Northern NSW Local Health District is working closely with Primary Health Network Healthy North Coast to keep the community out of hospital where possible. Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said a few simple steps could help protect people and their loved ones from respiratory illness.
“The most important thing to do is book in for your flu vaccine if you haven’t already, it is not too late. Please stay home if you are sick. If you are unwell and need to leave home, please wear a mask and avoid high-risk settings including aged care and hospitals,” Ms Wheeler said.
Ms Wheeler pointed to two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in the region, one at Tweed Heads South and one in Goonellabah, plus the Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre drop-in clinic at Southern Cross University.
“If you can’t get a quick appointment with your regular GP or care provider, these urgent care clinics are fast, free options with extended opening hours,” Ms Wheeler said.
“These clinics are open 365 days a year, are bulk-billed and accept walk-ins from 7am to 9pm daily, with no appointment needed.”
The Tweed Heads South clinic, at 33-35 Corporation Circuit, and the Goonellabah clinic, at 33-35 Rous Road, both treat non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses including respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, minor infections, burns, cuts, sprains, sports injuries, STIs, bites and rashes, and eye and ear infections. Locals can also be directed to either clinic by calling Healthdirect.
The Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre, at Southern Cross University’s P Block North on Rifle Range Road in East Lismore, offers in-person support for anyone 18 and over, no appointment or referral needed, from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. It can also be reached on (02) 5658 5989.
“If you have a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately,” Ms Wheeler said.
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