Victorian families can now access more free alternatives to visiting a busy emergency department when their child is sick at night or on the weekend.
Announced by Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, two after-hours Children’s Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCC) are now open at Monash Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“Operating at night and on the weekend, Monash Children’s PPCC has already seen more than 450 patients since opening – ensuring sick kids are getting the appropriate care they need, as soon as they need it,” Mr Andrews said.
“The Monash Children’s PPCC accepts bookings by phone and online, while the Royal Children’s Hospital aims to reduce hospital pressure and is dedicated only to referrals from their emergency department,” he said.
“While both centres have been designed specifically with kids in mind, all PPCCs are well equipped to treat children and families are encouraged to attend their closest PPCC to get the quickest possible care.”
Mr Andrews said almost 55,000 Victorians had received care at a PPCC since the centres started progressively opening late last year.
He said the 24 PPCCs were diverting thousands of Victorians from emergency departments and saving critical hospital resources for the sickest patients.
“Caring for around 4,000 Victorians each and every week, of which half would have otherwise attended their closest emergency department – PPCCs are free to all Victorians, with or without a Medicare card – with most clinics accepting both walk-ins and pre-booked appointments,” the Premier said.
“Staffed with both GPs and nurses, PPCCs can treat a range of common ailments that require urgent attention but not a hospital-led response, such as minor infections, cuts and burns – saving families time waiting in an emergency department and from waiting, as well as paying, to see a GP.”
Mr Andrews said a further two PPCCs would open next month in Bendigo and Sunbury.
