South Australians get 24-7 health advice
All South Australians now have access to a free 24-hour, seven-days-a-week health advice line.
Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon, Premier Mike Rann and SA Health Minister John Hill have launched South Australia’s branch of healthdirect Australia, a national health call centre with a single contact number, 1800 022 222. This phone line will be available to provide support and information to people seeking advice on their ailments.
Callers will be able to speak to an experienced registered nurse, discuss their illness or condition, receive advice and be directed to the care or treatment they need.
The Federal Health Minister, Ms Roxon, said: “healthdirect Australia will assist busy hospital emergency departments by allowing Australians access to high-quality health advice over the phone. With so many people presenting at emergency departments for non-urgent conditions, this service will provide advice in people’s homes.
“Australians will be better assisted and informed with this national advice line – which will direct people to their required health services, supported by service directories. It can also play a role in any national health emergency.”
Emergency calls coming into the healthdirect Australia call centre will be transferred to services such as SA Ambulance as necessary.
Healthdirect Australia is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and states and territories. Over four years from 2006-07 the Commonwealth will provide $96 million, with the states and territories providing $80 million.
An additional $20 million, split between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, will enable healthdirect Australia to support mental health services.
Healthdirect Australia staff will not provide diagnosis of illnesses, injuries and ailments, but will assess urgency and direct the caller to the care required.
The health call centre in South Australia started taking calls in July last year, with people ringing hospital emergency departments for health advice being redirected to the service. Since then the number of calls has increased to more than 1,000 per week.
From 30 January the service has been opened up to all South Australians. Feedback from those in the community who have already used the service has been extremely positive.
A survey carried out a month after the call centre began taking calls showed 100% approval, with the community praising the quality of service received.
The reassurance of speaking with a registered nurse, saving time on preventable trips to the local surgery or emergency department and accessibility of immediate professional advice were high on the list of positive reports.
