Communities across the Central Coast are continuing to benefit from more timely access to urgent care, with the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service providing more than 32,700 patient attendances since opening in December 2023.
Minister for Health Ryan Park visited the service yesterday and acknowledged its important role in reducing pressure on the Central Coast’s emergency departments and providing patients with a convenient alternative for urgent but non-life‑threatening conditions.
The service provides timely care for a wide range of conditions that can be safely treated in a community setting, including sprains, strains, minor fractures, plaster care, respiratory illnesses, infections, minor injuries, rashes, bites and stings.
Open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, including public holidays, the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service is staffed by general practitioners, nurses and allied health clinicians, supported by onsite diagnostic services.
The multidisciplinary team provides high quality, safe care and can connect patients with additional support when needed, including Central Coast Local Health District’s Hospital in the Home program and other community-based services.
Patients who have a non-life-threatening condition can call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free advice, anytime of the day or night. A registered nurse will assess their condition and connect them to the right care, which can include referral to a UCS.
Patients needing language support can call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.
The NSW Government is investing in a suite of ED alternative pathways in an effort to ease pressure on busy hospital EDs and ensure the people of NSW receive the most appropriate care.
This includes:
- $171.4 million to introduce additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED.
- $100 million to continue funding our urgent care services for a further two years to provide a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients
- $70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours
- $15.1 million for an ambulance distribution matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times
- $31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed
- $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identified patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place
The Minns Labor Government also delivered a record investment into healthcare through the 2026-27 Budget, which included an additional $130.7 million to further expand short stay units by up to 30 additional treatment spaces aimed at improving wait times.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“This Urgent Care Service at Long Jetty provides an important alternative for Central Coast patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, while helping reduce pressure on our busy hospitals.
“Services like this are making it easier for people to get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, saving them from unnecessary long waits in an emergency department.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Central Coast David Harris:
“It’s fantastic to see so many people on the Central Coast continuing to benefit from the Long Jetty Urgent Care Clinic.
“The high-quality care for the wide range of conditions delivered by a skilled multi-disciplinary team is meaning people can be treated close to home while freeing up our busy hospital EDs.”
Quotes attributable to Member for The Entrance David Mehan:
“The community has embraced this service because it provides a convenient and trusted option for people who need urgent medical attention but don’t require emergency care.”
Quote attributable to Central Coast Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Jude Constable:
“The Long Jetty Urgent Care Service is making a real difference for our community by improving access to timely care and helping patients avoid an unnecessary visit to the emergency department.
“I’d like to acknowledge the dedicated staff at the Long Jetty Urgent Care Service for the exceptional care they provide to our community every day. Their commitment and expertise are helping more people access the right care at the right time, closer to home.”
