Paramedics Join Tweed Urgent Care Service in NSW First
By Robert Heyward
In a groundbreaking move for New South Wales, Extended Care Paramedics (ECPs) have been integrated into a multidisciplinary urgent care team in the Tweed region, offering residents support for urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions right in their homes.
The Tweed Urgent Care Service, currently operational five days a week from 8am to 4pm, primarily serves residential aged care facilities through scheduled visits. However, plans are underway to expand the service to all age groups, seven days a week, in the coming months.
This innovative model, a collaboration between the Northern NSW Local Health District and NSW Ambulance, aims to reduce unnecessary visits to emergency departments by dispatching dedicated ECPs directly to patients. These highly trained ECPs complement the existing emergency paramedics, enhancing the overall healthcare delivery in the Tweed community.
The ECPs work alongside a multidisciplinary team, including nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and allied health professionals, to provide treatment for conditions such as fractures, dislocations, and wound suturing in a community setting.
For non-life-threatening health concerns, residents are encouraged to call Healthdirect at 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess the condition and direct patients to the most appropriate care, which may include telehealth appointments with virtual GP services or escalation to other services like NSW Ambulance if necessary.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving access to care and reducing emergency department wait times through an emergency department relief package. This initiative includes an additional $100 million investment to fund urgent care services for two more years, aiming to provide alternative care pathways for an estimated 114,000 patients once fully implemented.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park praised the new service:
“This Urgent Care Service enables residents to receive high-quality, expert care without leaving their familiar environment, improving patient experiences and easing pressure on the region’s busy emergency departments. I’m pleased to see innovative models like this being introduced in our regional communities to support timely and appropriate care.”
Labor Spokesperson for the Tweed, Emily Suvaal MLC, emphasised the impact on the local community:
“This initiative will make a significant difference for the Tweed community, allowing residents to access urgent care within the comfort of their homes. It’s fantastic for both patients and health workers, as it helps avoid unnecessary trips to crowded emergency departments.”
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan highlighted the benefits of the new model:
“Extended care paramedics possess a broad range of skills to assess and treat patients in the community, providing them with the specialist care they need. This model of care will help evaluate how ECPs can improve health outcomes for local residents while reducing pressure on our emergency paramedics and hospital emergency departments.”
This pioneering initiative represents a significant step forward in healthcare delivery for the Tweed region, offering residents more accessible and timely medical care while alleviating the burden on emergency services.
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