HEALTH & WELLBEING
North Richmond Urgent Care Service
The North Richmond Urgent Care Service provides access to bulk-billed healthcare for people in the Hawkesbury who need urgent, but not life threatening care when their regular general practitioner( GP) is not available.
The North Richmond Urgent Care Service is funded by NSW Health through Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network( NBMPHN).
Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that the Urgent Care Service helps to avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department by increasing access to care for conditions that can be appropriately treated by a GP.
“ The service is well supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries that are deemed urgent, but not life threatening, such as minor wounds that need stiches, suspected broken bones and infections that need antibiotics,” she said.
To access the service, people need to call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to talk to a registered nurse who will assess their condition and refer them to the best place for their needs. This may include an in-person appointment at the North
Richmond Urgent Care service, a telehealth appointment with the virtualKIDS or virtualGP services, or escalating to NSW Ambulance if required. The North Richmond Urgent Care service is available via appointment through healthdirect from 8:00am to 8:00pm seven days a week, including public holidays.
Ms Reay reiterated that while urgent care services fill an important gap when care is needed quickly and urgently, it’ s still important to have a regular family GP.
“ It’ s important for people to have a regular GP for their ongoing health needs, including vaccinations, preventative health screening, mental healthcare plans and chronic disease management,” she said.
“ Having a regular GP that you can build a relationship with over time means that they get to know you, your medical history and lifestyle, making it easier for you to talk to them about your health concerns. It also allows your GP to better consider your overall health and preventative care needs. Your regular GP should always be the first point of contact for nonlife threatening care if they are available,” she said.
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