Australia’s first public nurse-led Walk-in Centre
Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, launched Australia’s first public nurse-led Walk-in Centre last week.
The new Centre, located beside the Emergency Department at Canberra Hospital, will provide free treatment for people with minor illnesses or injuries.
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 Walk-in-Centre opened to the public on 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.
