EXTENDED Care Paramedics (ECPs) have joined a multidisciplinary urgent care team in Tweed to provide home-based care for urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions in a New South Wales health system first.<\/p>\n
Highly qualified ECPs will be deployed in addition to the existing paramedics providing emergency care to the community. The ECPs will partner with a team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses and allied health professionals to provide multidisciplinary treatment for various conditions, including fractures, dislocations and wound suturing.<\/p>\n
The innovative model is a partnership between Northern NSW Local Health District and NSW Ambulance and will allow dedicated ECPs to be dispatched, reducing avoidable visits to emergency departments.<\/p>\n
The Labor Spokesperson for Tweed Emily Suvaal MLC said the service would significantly impact patients.<\/p>\n
“They will be able to access care for urgent conditions within the comfort of their home,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It’s fantastic for both the patient and our health workers that members of the community will be able to avoid a trip to a busy ED for a range of conditions.”<\/p>\n
In an effort to improve access to care and reduce wait times, the Minns Labor Government is working through the emergency department relief package to invest an additional $100 million for urgent care services for another two years, and to provide a pathway to care outside of hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients.<\/p>\n
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the Urgent Care Service enabled residents to receive high-quality, expert care without leaving their familiar environment.<\/p>\n
“It’s providing a better patient experience and easing pressure on the region’s busy emergency departments,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I am so pleased to see innovative models of care like this one being introduced in our regional communities to support patients in receiving more timely care in the appropriate setting.”<\/p>\n
The Tweed Urgent Care Service is available five days a week, from 8 am to 4 pm, and will expand in coming months to offer care to people of all ages seven days a week.<\/p>\n
For non-life-threatening health advice or treatment, speak with a registered nurse by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EXTENDED Care Paramedics (ECPs) have joined a multidisciplinary urgent care team in Tweed to provide home-based care for urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions in a New South Wales health system first. Highly qualified ECPs will be deployed in addition to the existing paramedics providing emergency care to the community. The ECPs will partner with a […]<\/p>\n