24 Hour Health Phone Line Extends State-wide

11/7/00
Health advice from registered nurses on a 24-hour telephone hotline is now available to all West Australians throughout the State, Health Minister John Day announced in Kalgoorlie today.
The new HealthDirect service, which has been successfully trialled in Perth and northern parts of the State, now covers all of Western Australia following today's launch of the service in the Goldfields and Great Southern areas.
Mr Day said this joint State/Commonwealth initiative was part of the State Government's commitment to improve access to health services closer to where people live.
"HealthDirect nurses are available round the clock to assess the urgency and level of care needed and provide immediate advice," the Minister said.
"Anyone who has sat up all night with a sick child waiting to ring a doctor in the morning will understand the benefit of this 24-hour service.
"If urgent care is needed, nurses can connect callers to the nearest hospital emergency department, Royal Flying Doctor Service or an ambulance."
Mr Day said that many of the 3,000 callers a week in the metropolitan area were mothers, fathers and relatives needing help for sick children.
"We expect another 1,000 calls a week from country areas now that the service covers the whole State," he said.
"One of the benefits for country callers is that HealthDirect can provide them with immediate advice if a local doctor is not available.
"HealthDirect will also help tourists and travellers who may not be familiar with local health services.
"This initiative has been so successful that other Australian States and Territories are looking at implementing a similar service, as are other countries such as New Zealand."
Mr Day said the clinical protocols used by the registered nurses in trialling calls were developed and regularly reviewed by WA doctors, ensuring a high level of general practitioner involvement in the service.
The Health Department of WA will launch a State-wide media campaign later this month to advertise the HealthDirect service, which can be reached on 1800 022 222.
HealthDirect will also be promoted in leaflets sent to all WA households, and in a new tourism health advice booklet Healthy Directions in Western Australia - A Guide to Healthy Travelling, produced by the Health Department of WA.
Media contact: Carole Cowling on 9213 6600