Keep the ED for emergencies at Warialda

29 September 2009

Warialda community members have been given a friendly reminder about the appropriate use of the Emergency Department (ED) at Warialda Multi Purpose Service (MPS).

Warialda MPS Health Service Manager Sharon Baker said the reminder was in response to the growing incidence of presentations at the ED for non-urgent medical treatments.

“The ED is a vital community service that needs to be operating at its most efficient in order to ensure patients in the most critical condition get access to medical help when they need it,” Ms Baker said.

“Whilst we will never refuse to treat someone presenting at the ED, the community needs to be made aware of its primary role in treating patients with urgent life threatening conditions – it is not designed to replace the role of a General Practitioner in treating minor illnesses or injuries.”

Ms Baker said confusion about triage processes at the ED had also been identified as an issue.

“Each patient presenting at the ED will have their condition assessed and categorised by the triage nurse on duty. A patient’s triage category will determine the time they wait for treatment at the ED,” Ms Baker said.

The reminder about when to use the Emergency Department and how the triage process works is about ensuring that people in need, regardless of how critical, get access to medical help at the most appropriate location, with the most appropriate physician and about ensuring people in the community consider their treatment options thoroughly.

“We would appreciate the community’s assistance and cooperation with this, to ensure our Emergency Department is being used in the most efficient way.
This benefits the whole community both now and over the long-term,” Ms Baker said.

“Please make an appointment to see your GP if your condition is non-urgent or non-critical.”

(HNE-2009)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183