New Free Virtual Health Service
Spare yourself a visit to the Emergency Department with this NEW Free Virtual Health Service
Free virtual health care is now available to every person in NSW for urgent conditions, including right here on the Central Coast following the completion of the rollout of NSW Health’s virtual urgent care service.
It now means everyone in NSW can access urgent clinical care for injuries and illnesses without needing to visit a hospital or GP – right from the comfort of your own home.
Almost 16,000 patients accessed virtual care over the past financial year as the service incrementally expanded across metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW.
This is in addition to the over 216,000 attendances to NSW urgent care services or clinics over the 2024-25 fiscal year.
It coincides with significant improvements in emergency department wait times as well as improvements in ambulance ramping.
NSW virtual care services are available by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess your condition over the phone and, if virtual care is appropriate, arrange a video-call appointment with a clinician—whether that’s a doctor, nurse or allied health professional. You’ll receive expert advice on treatment options, prescriptions if needed, and referrals to follow-up care.
This service is available 7 days a week between the hours of 8am and 10pm.
NSW virtual urgent care services are equipped to manage a wide range of health concerns. This includes the management of coughs, colds, fevers and flu; treatment for vomiting, diarrhoea or mild infections, rashes and skin irritations; or minor injuries such as sprains and small cuts.
This builds on our budget emergency department relief package which is investing:
$100 million to back in our urgent care services to become a mainstay and key instrument of the health system in providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals;
$70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
$15.1 million for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times;
$31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed; and
$53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identified patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.
David Harris Member for Wyong said, “Addressing the challenge of limited access to general practitioners by expanding free virtual healthcare services is a vital step toward alleviating the burden on emergency departments across the Central Coast.”
“These services provide residents with convenient, cost-free access to essential medical care from home, helping to manage non-emergency issues more effectively and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.”
David Mehan Member for The Entrance said, “Virtual care means that help is only a phone call away. By calling 1800 022 222 you’re one step closer to getting the care you need.
“The Service ensures people have another option to access safe, quality medical care from the comfort of their own home, sparing them from waiting in emergency departments at Wyong and Gosford Hospitals.
“In turn, this reduces the pressure on our local emergency departments to deal with more urgent, life-threatening presentations.
Yasmin Catley Member for Swansea said, “The virtual healthcare service is making healthcare more “We know residents have experienced challenges accessing a GP which is why the Minns Labor Government is stepping up to support our community with better access to vital health services.”
“More pathways to care outside of the hospital; more staff; more hospitals; lower wait times – it’s as simple as that.”
Liesl Tesch Member for Gosford said, “While there has been significant work by the Commonwealth Government, who are responsible for GP access, we know how difficult it is to get an urgent GP appointment on the Central Coast. This leads too many people to feel forced into hospital emergency departments seeking health care advice, with no other option.
“The NSW Government is stepping in and stepping up, rolling out access to virtual urgent care services across our region, giving our community a safe alternative to the ED for non-life-threatening conditions.”
For more information contact:
David Harris (02) 4352 2711
David Mehan 0419 973 858
Yasmin Catley 4972 1133
Joely Langmaid 4342 4122
