Queensland Health’s specialist COVID-19 Healthcare Support Service is now in operation, ensuring interstate residents who access healthcare in Queensland each month are supported when they enter the State.
Minister for Health, Steven Miles said the dedicated unit could be contacted by calling a new hotline.
“The new team will also provide a unique case-managed approach to those entering mandatory quarantine who have complex healthcare needs,” Mr Miles said.
“While our border restrictions have been in place in some way since March, we have always allowed interstate residents to enter the State for medical care — but we must do this in a way that keeps everyone safe and protects our regions.”
He said the hospital and health services closest to the NSW border had treated more than 9,700 interstate residents in the last two months as inpatients, outpatients or emergency patients.
The Minister said 75 per cent of the patients were NSW residents.
“It is critical to remember that those requiring medical care do not need, and have never needed, to apply for an exemption to cross the border, but may have different quarantine requirements,” Mr Miles said.
“The Healthcare Support Service ensures everyone who is suitable for medical care, further support, needs an exemption, or is looking for the right information, gets access to what they need at the right time.”
He said anyone can enter Queensland by road, rail or air for emergency healthcare without an exemption.
People could also continue to receive essential healthcare in Queensland where they either had an ongoing relationship with a healthcare provider or if the healthcare could not be provided closer to their home.
