Warrnambool residents seeking urgent medical attention (not emergency) now have access to care outside emergency departments, thanks to the opening of a Priority Primary Care Centre (PPCC) in Warrnambool last week. PPCCs are GP-led services that aim to reduce demand on emergency departments by providing an alternative service for non-emergency conditions.
Epic Health was awarded the contract to operate the General Practice Respiratory Clinic (GPRC) in 2022 funded via the Victorian State Government, which was located at 133 Fairy St. Warrnambool.
The Warrnambool centre is part of an initiative by the Victorian Government to offer care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response. The Victorian State Government has supported the transition of the GPRC to a PPCC to suit the needs of the Warrnambool and surrounding community.
The initiative is being funded through Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN).
According to the Victorian Agency for Health Information, there were 23,460 presentations to the Warrnambool Base Hospital Emergency Department in 2022. Of these, 42.5 per cent were triaged as urgent (category 4 and 5 presentations) but not an emergency.
WVPHN CEO Rowena Clift says the new centre will provide additional urgent health care support for the people of Warrnambool.
“People suffering conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns will be able to receive treatment from the Warrnambool PPCC instead of having to wait in emergency at the Warrnambool Base Hospital,” Ms Clift said. “WVPHN welcomes the addition of the Warrnambool PPCC to primary health support services in western Victoria.”
The facility will be staffed by a team of GPs and nurses, and patients will be triaged on arrival to determine their suitability for the service. The PPCC will treat patients with urgent conditions like lacerations or cuts requiring stitches, basic fractures, minor burns, rashes, mild respiratory conditions, ear nose and throat infections, other infections, and gastroenteritis.
Patients requiring non-urgent regular medical care will be redirected to their regular GP for ongoing management.
Patients experiencing emergency or life-threatening conditions should still attend South West Health Emergency Department. This includes conditions such as severe breathing difficulties leaving the person unable to speak, stroke symptoms, anaphylaxis, significant bleeding, deep or large burns, and major breaks or major fractures.