20 July 2008

If It's Not An Emergency - See Your GP

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today launched a new advertising campaign designed by and featuring emergency department (ED) specialists.

The campaign encourages people to seek treatment from their GP for non-urgent medical conditions, so hospital EDs can continue to give priority to people needing emergency care.

Ms Meagher said last year 2.3 million people went to an ED in NSW, 8 per cent over the previous year, and that’s why the Iemma Government has recruited an additional 30 ED specialists across the state.

“Two independent reports released over the past two months have confirmed that NSW EDs are the best performing in the country,” Ms Meagher said.

“However a recent survey found that only 34 per cent of people presenting at EDs believed they really needed hospital or emergency care.

“This campaign is not about discouraging people from seeking medical help, it is about urging people to consider how serious their condition is, and making the appropriate decision about where they should go for treatment.”

Key findings of The State of Our Public Hospitals June 2008 found that for the 2006-07 year:

• NSW had the lowest median waiting time for emergency department patients at 20 minutes – compared with national median of 24 minutes
• NSW had the highest number of emergency department patients seen within the recommended time at 76 per cent – compared with national average of 70 per cent
• NSW met or exceeded 4 of the 5 ED triage benchmarks, the best performing jurisdiction of any state or territory.

“Our medical staff will never refuse to treat someone presenting at the ED, but we all need to remember that the primary role of the ED is to treat patients with life-threatening or serious conditions, it is not designed to replace the role of your GP,” Ms Meagher said.

Ms Meagher said the Iemma Government is working to ensure people who don’t need emergency treatment can be treated more effectively in their community.

“We are investing $16 million over five years to open after-hours GP clinics at some of our busiest hospitals. Already nine GP clinics have been opened across the state and a further eleven are planned.”

Ms Meagher said the advertisement, which will begin airing tonight, was filmed at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and features doctors and nurses from the hospital. Paramedics from the Hunter area also participated in the commercial.

“Our doctors, nurses and hospital staff work tirelessly to ensure the health needs of people in NSW are met and we can help them by seeking the appropriate health service for our conditions."

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au