Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that after hours or urgent care services offer an important alternative to the emergency department for urgent, but not life-threatening, injuries or illnesses, and in cases where your regular GP may not be open.
“If you or your family needs medical assistance over the upcoming public holidays, there are a range of options available. Our https://www.doctorclosed.com.au/ website can help local residents to search for a GP who is open after hours, for doctors who can make home visits or for your closest Urgent Care Clinic.
"You can also use the online symptom checker, find pharmacies that are open, or talk to a health professional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222,” said Ms Reay.
Ms Reay said that the Doctor Closed website is accessible for multicultural communities, with translated pages in six different languages.
In the Penrith area, the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic located inside Our Medical, at 2227 Wolseley Street near Penrith Homemaker Centre, is bulk-billed and open for walk-ins without the need for an appointment from 8:00am to 8:00pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Anzac Day.
The Clinic can treat those with urgent but non life-threatening illnesses or injuries, such as closed fractures, injuries requiring stitching, minor burns, leg ulcers, gastro, or conditions requiring IV rehydration, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract conditions, ear, nose and throat infections, rashes, small abscess drainage and more.
The Penrith After Hours Doctors located at Nepean Village Shopping Centre provides another walk-in option, and is open Monday to Friday, 6:00pm to midnight, and on weekends and public holidays, 3:00pm to midnight.
The Penrith 24 Hour Pharmacy located at 438 High Street, is open 24 hours, 365 days of the year for those needing urgent medications.
In addition to these services, Ms Reay mentioned that if you or someone you know are experiencing mental health concerns or crisis, the Penrith Medicare Mental Health Centre located at 111 Henry Street, is open seven days per week, 365 days a year, including public holidays.
Services are free without the need for a Medicare card, prior appointment or referral. The centre's opening hours are 1:00pm - 9:30pm (Monday, Wednesday – Sunday) and from 1:00pm - 5:00pm on Tuesdays, and from 1:00pm – 9:30pm on public holidays.
In the Hawkesbury area, the North Richmond Urgent Care Service is open 365 days a year, including Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Anzac Day, from 8:00am to 8:00pm.
“To access the service, people need to call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess your condition and then refer you to the best place for your needs. This may include an inperson appointment at the North Richmond Urgent Care Service, a telehealth appointment with the virtualKIDS or virtualGP services, or escalating your care to NSW Ambulance if required,” said Ms Reay.
The North Richmond Urgent Care Service provides access to GPs and nurses who can 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 skin infections that need antibiotics. All services are free for Medicare Card holders.
"We are proud to support these after hours services in our region, offering our community alternative options to going to a hospital, especially during long weekends and public holidays when wait times can be long and emergency departments are often under additional pressure."
“I encourage everyone to visit DoctorClosed.com.au to find out what other local healthcare options are available."
