Walk in Centre continues to be popular healthcare choice

Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, today released the latest data on presentations to the Canberra Hospital's nurse-led Walk-in Centre, which shows that thousands of Canberrans are benefitting from this free service.

"The Walk-in Centre continues to prove popular with Canberrans seeking medical assistance for one-off minor injuries and illnesses, filling a much-needed gap by providing free, extended hours treatment by nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses," the Chief Minister said.

"In just the first eight months of this financial year, 11,292 people have presented at the Walk-in Centre for medical assessment and treatment - an average of almost 1400 per month.

"With colds and flu by far the most common reason people are visiting the centre, nurses are most frequently treating wounds and lacerations, ears wax, tonsillitis, sinusitis, diarrhoea, sore throats and sprains.

Between 1 July 2011 and 29 February 2012 there were:

- 1209 presentations for upper respiratory tract infection - cold and flu;

- 680 presentationsfor wounds and lacerations;

- 290 presentations for ear conditions - otitis media;

- 328 presentations for ear conditions - ear wax;

- 304 presentations for upper respiratory tract infection - tonsillitis;

- 273 presentations for upper respiratory tract infection - sinusitis;

- 330 presentations for gastroenteritis - diarrhoea;

- 322 presentations for upper respiratory tract infection - sore throat; and

- 257 presentations for ankle sprains.

"This demonstrates that the investment the ACT Labor Government has made in this innovative model of health care is certainly worthwhile and meets a need in the community.

"Its success is why we have also committed to double the funding for nurse-led walk in centres and expand the model to community locations in Belconnen and Tuggeranong," the Chief Minister said.

Of the 11,166 patients assessed by a nurse at the clinic between July last year and the end of February, 7,710 were treated at the clinic, while the remainder were redirected following assessment to other more appropriate services such as medical imaging, a general practitioner, an emergency department or the Canberra Afterhours Locum Medical Service.

"The Walk-in Centre serves a very clear purpose, offering one-off treatment to people aged over 2 years presenting with minor injuries and illnesses, and at times some people are referred elsewhere for more appropriate treatment," the Chief Minister said.

"Importantly, improving access to primary health care services can help prevent a more serious episode or even admission to hospital down the track if injuries or illnesses are left untreated.

"Our data reveals that the most common reasons for presenting at the Walk-in Centre this financial year have been for upper respiratory tract infections- cold and flu, followed by wounds and lacerations, and gastroenteritis," the Chief Minister said.

"I am pleased to see that Canberrans are utilising this service and that our highly skilled nursing staff have been able to treat 70 percent of patients presenting to the centre, without further referral," the Chief Minister said.

"TheWalk-in Centre demonstrates our commitment to providing awide range of different services to deliver care to the residents of the ACT and surrounds, and is a model which is being embraced by our community." the Chief Minister concluded.

Feedback from patients who have used the Walk-in Centre since its opening shows that 80 per cent of patients have been very satisfied with the treatment or advice the nurse gave them. 84 per cent said they would definitely recommend the Walk-in Centre to their family and friends.