Free virtual health care is now available to every person in NSW for urgent conditions, including right here in Electorate of Cessnock, 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.
State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“The rollout of NSW Health’s virtual urgent care service will give people an alternative pathway to access healthcare without needing to visit an ED.”
“It’s often the case that our EDs are being attended by people with non-life-threatening conditions.”
“This is complementing our urgent care services and clinics which are also providing an alternative pathway to care outside of the hospital.”