GP Urgent Care Clinics open in Mandurah to relieve busy hospital emergency departments

More than 125 GP Urgent Care Clinics around Western Australia will offer treatment for non-life threatening but still urgent medical conditions.

Mandurah residents will have access to the services at Jupiter Health in Lakelands, Murray Medical Centre in Greenfields, Modern Medical Clinic in Halls Head and at Falcon Grove Medical Centre.

The types of conditions that can be treated at the urgent care clinics include gastrointestinal illnesses, musculoskeletal and orthopaedic injuries, eye, ear, nose and throat conditions, stings, rashes, wound infections, abrasions and minor lacerations.

Patients will also have access to pathology and radiology services in each location, including fully equipped treatment rooms to apply sutures, plastering and conduct minor procedures.

Mandurah MP David Templeman said he was pleased the network included four locations in the Peel region.

"I'm excited to see the GP Urgent Care Clinic Network pilot begin today and pleased that local GPs in and around Mandurah have signed up to participate in the pilot," he said.

"I know people in our Mandurah community will welcome this improved access to local healthcare options rather than waiting in emergency departments and, importantly, they can feel better knowing that hospital emergency departments are being left for those who really need to be there.

"I encourage all residents in Mandurah, when faced with an urgent but non-life threatening medical need, to search GP urgent care and book an appointment to receive care closer to home."

Health Minister Roger Cook said the new model of primary healthcare was a "fresh approach" to solving the problem of overcrowded hospital waiting rooms.

"We are still seeing too many patients with non-life-threatening medical conditions at our busy emergency departments who could have been treated by General Practitioners," he said.

"This is an exciting and innovative new approach to ease the pressure on our busy emergency departments.

"We know that the majority of people who go to hospital emergency departments for non-life-threatening medical conditions arrive during the day. Having this new option gives those people more choice."

Read more:

Premier Mark McGowan said the pilot delivered on an important election commitment.

"GP Urgent Care Clinics will give people an option when they are seeking urgent medical attention but not necessarily in a life-threatening situation," he said.

"This will help ease pressure on our busy hospital emergency departments ensuring people have access to appropriate care in the community and closer to home.

"This is about putting patients first and providing a better connection of care between hospitals and general practice, which was a key recommendation in the Sustainable Health Review."

The 18-month pilot will be supported by a major awareness campaign highlighting the alternative model of health care in the community and closer to home.

The advertising campaign will run on television, outdoor, radio and digital channels across Perth metropolitan and the South-West region, driving a key message - not all urgencies are emergencies.

Participating practices will have appointments from 8am-8pm, seven days a week, supporting figures that show the majority of attendees to hospital Emergency Departments for non-life threatening medical conditions occur during the day.

To book a GP urgent care clinic appointment, visit the website or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

For more information about the GP Urgent Care Clinic network pilot, visit the Department of Health website.