Australia’s First Public Nurse-Led Walk-In Centre Launched in Canberra
International Nurses’ Day was celebrated by the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and ACT Minister for Health Katy Gallagher as they launched Australia’s first public nurse-led Walk-in Centre.
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The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
Ms Katy Gallagher MLA
Australian Capital Territory
Deputy Chief Minister
Treasurer
Minister for Health
Minister for Industrial Relations
12 May 2010International Nurses’ Day was celebrated today by the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and ACT Minister for Health Katy Gallagher as they launched Australia’s first public nurse-led Walk-in Centre.
The new Centre, located beside the Emergency Department at Canberra Hospital, will provide free treatment for people with minor illnesses or injuries.
“I am proud that the Rudd Government is investing in improved and expanded health services to Canberrans,” Ms Roxon said.
“We are focused on making sure Australians have access to the right type of health care for their needs, particularly after hours.
“This new clinic will help thousands of Canberrans who need medical care and advice, but who may not need to see a doctor. This will take pressure off both local GPs and Canberra hospital’s stretched Emergency Department,” Ms Roxon said.
“The Walk-in Centre is designed to help people get fast, free, one-off treatment for minor illnesses and injuries,” Ms Gallagher said.
“Substantial work has gone in to developing this innovative model of care which aims to reduce pressures on other services such as emergency departments and improve access to primary care in Canberra,” she said.
The Centre will be staffed by specialised nursing staff and provide Canberrans with a new health service option.
Nurses will provide advice, assessment and treatment for conditions such as cuts and bruises, minor infections, strains, sprains, skin complaints, and coughs and colds. If necessary, people will be redirected to more appropriate services, such as their GP or the emergency department.
“The nurses who work in the Walk-in Centre have all completed additional training, and the care they provide is guided by established protocols that have been endorsed by the relevant clinical oversight bodies,” Ms Gallagher said.
Nurses are the backbone of our health system and the Rudd Government is recognising their skills and talents more than ever before.
Yesterday’s budget announcements underline the importance of nurses in our health system and provided yet more support and recognition for their knowledge, skills and expertise.
These additional investments and recognition of nurses complement the Rudd Government’s action in last year’s budget to provide Medicare and PBS benefits for patients of Nurse Practitioners.
The Rudd Government has provided $10 million in recurrent funding for the first four years, while the ACT Government has provided $2.175 in capital funding to establish the Walk-in Centre.
The operation of the Walk-in Centre will be externally evaluated after its first year of operation. That evaluation will provide valuable information about the success of the new service and how the concept could be extended to other areas of Canberra and throughout Australia.
The Walk-in-Centre will open to the public next week (18 May) and will operate sixteen hours a day, from 7am to 11pm seven days a week all year round and is expected to cater for up to 30,000 visits a year.
Media Contacts:
Minister Roxon’s Office on 02 6277 7220
Minister Gallagher’s Office Kathryn Roberts on 02 6205 0242 or 0402 399 907
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