27 April 2009

Balmain Hospital GP service expansion

Local residents will benefit from changes to Balmain Hospital’s GP casualty service that will see an increase in daytime staffing.

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said GP working hours will be increased and two highly experienced nurses will join the hospital’s daytime GP service.

“This follows consultation with the Division of General Practice and local GPs, Paediatrician and Emergency Doctors and Balmain Community Representatives,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“The additional daytime staff will liaise with local GPs and coordinate community nursing care, enabling more patients to receive treatments like intravenous antibiotics in their home, preventing the need to attend hospital.

“Patients requiring follow-up treatments or procedures will also benefit from the convenience of an appointment booking system, run by the additional nursing staff.

“Balmain Hospital’s GP service provides treatment for around 15,000 patients a year who have minor illnesses and injuries, and cares for patients when their GP is unavailable or following a referral.”

Mr Della Bosca said a review of the community’s use of the GP service showed, on average, around only 2-3 patients used the service each night between 10pm and 8am.

“To enable the expansion of the service, the hospital will now operate from 8am to 10pm to reflect the times it is most needed,” the Minister said.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s Director of Emergency, Dr Tim Green, has welcomed the move.

“The changes at Balmain Hospital don’t alter the fact local residents with serious illnesses should continue to go to RPA’s Emergency Department,” Dr Green said.

“If you have a relative or child who is seriously ill you should call an ambulance or bring them to RPA, where there is 24 hour access to specialist staff and equipment.”

Central Sydney General Practice Network CEO, Dr Michael Moore, said it’s great more experienced GPs and nurses will be employed to provide 14 hours of care every day of the week at Balmain Hospital.

Information on the changes will be mailed to local residents and will start from Monday 11 May 2009.

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