This week we celebrate the opening of our NSW Health funded Urgent Care Service in North Richmond. This new Urgent Care Service will provide people in the Hawkesbury better access urgent but non life-threatening healthcare, when their normal GP is unavailable, and help to avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department.

I am proud of the work we have done with the local community and NSW Health in bringing this service to North Richmond. The location of this Urgent Care Service is based on our experiences during flooding events, when patients have been unable to access urgent care services due to flooding. We have been working towards this outcome for the Hawksbury for some time and are pleased to have played our part in providing this service. We knew that there was a real need for an alternative care pathway for the local community when they can’t access a GP quickly, particularly on weekends and after hours when often the only local option was to present to the emergency department.
 
While Urgent Care Services fill an important gap, when care is needed quickly and urgently, it’s still important to have a regular family GP, who should always be the first point of contact for urgent care if they are available. Having a GP that you can build a relationship with over time means that they get to know you, your medical history, and your lifestyle, making it easier for you to talk to them about your health concerns and allowing them to better consider your overall health and preventative care needs.
 
The North Richmond Urgent Care Service will be open 365 days a year, from 8am to 8pm, and is staffed by general practitioners and nurses, with diagnostic services close by including radiology and pathology.
 
Unlike the federally funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinics which are walk-in, to access this NSW state-funded service, patients should call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess the patient's condition and then discuss with the patient the best place for their care needs. This may include an appointment at the North Richmond Urgent Care Service, a telehealth appointment with the virtualKIDS or virtualGP services or escalating their care to other services like NSW Ambulance if required. If referred to  the North Richmond Urgent Care Service, services are bulk-billed.