06 November 2008

Health Advice Hotline for Greater Southern

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said residents served by the Greater Southern Area Health Service now had access to the National Health Call Centre Network healthdirect Australia.

The new service provides a 24-hour hotline for people who need health advice.

"Greater Southern has become the first NSW Area Health Service to join the network and the rest of the State will progressively come online over the next six months," Mr Della Bosca said.

"This is a great additional medical service providing high quality advice and peace of mind to NSW residents.

"Advice is delivered by highly skilled registered nurses who are supported by health triage software, a website and an up-to-date service directory of local facilities.

"Healthdirect, is not an emergency service. Anyone with a health emergency should still contact triple 0," Mr Della Bosca said.

The NSW Government is investing more than $25 million over four years and has worked in partnership with the Australian, ACT, NT, SA and WA Governments to establish healthdirect Australia.

"By June 2009, people living anywhere in NSW will be able to contact the hotline. It's anticipated more than 650,000 calls from NSW residents will be managed by healthdirect Australia each year," he said.

"In many locations, it can be difficult to find medical advice particularly after hours, when it's not a matter for an accident and emergency department. If you have a health concern and are unsure what to do next, healthdirect is now available to residents across the greater southern region of NSW.

"Improving the availability of health advice will help people make good choices about where to seek treatment and when," he said.

Calls to healthdirect Australia on landlines will be free but mobile charges may apply. The healthdirect Australia number is 1800 022 222.

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