Clinics to offer patients urgent care

Five new general practice urgent care clinics in the South West will give patients seeking medical attention the chance to see a GP instead of waiting in hospital emergency departments.

The new clinics are part of a Statewide 18-month pilot program launched by the State Government this month to ease pressure on emergency departments in hospitals.

Bunbury doctor Karen McKenna, who contributed to the development of the South West regions clinics, said residents would now have more choice for same-day care.

“Patients in the South West will be offered more choice when it comes to seeking same day health care, allowing some to avoid an unnecessary visit to an emergency department even if their regular GP is not available that day,” she said.

The launch coincided with the new campaign ‘Not all urgencies are emergencies’ highlighting alternative options for health care for non-emergencies but urgent medical conditions.

Bunbury Hospital operations manager Glen Matters said the clinics were designed to benefit patients by reducing wait times in the ED.

“They are an important new option our patients can now consider, for non-life threatening injury and illness, rather than visiting the ED which they may have done in the past,” Mr Matters said.

The South West region clinics are Brecken Health Care in Bunbury and Busselton, Eaton Medical Centre and Skin Clinic, Leschenault Medical Centre in Australind and Power Medical Centre in Busselton.

To book an appointment visit http://gpurgentcare.com.au.