News
13 HEALTH Hotline A Great Hit With Queenslanders |
| Spokesperson: | Minister for Health - Hon Stephen Robertson |
| Date: | Thursday, 11 May 2006 |
| Category: | State Health News |
| The State Government's new 13 HEALTH hotline service is proving a runaway success with Queenslanders, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today. Mr Robertson said 13 HEALTH took 9,666 calls during its first two weeks of operation since going statewide on 24 April, 2006. "That's an average 690 calls per day. "This is a phenomenal response when you consider 13 HEALTH received 16,000 calls over two months of operations in North Queensland. "The 34 clinical and registered nurses staffing the hotline are working flat out to meet this level of demand. "As a result, we have recruited our third intake of nurses with training to commence next week," he said. 13 HEALTH provides callers with clinically-based triage advice, health information and referral services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the cost of a local call. The hotline is designed to provide people with quick, reliable advice over the phone if they or a family member suddenly get sick and they are unsure what to do. By calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), people will be advised on the best course of action to take; including whether to attend a hospital emergency department, see a local GP, or administer home care. "I stress this service is for non-life threatening situations only and not meant to replace medical consultations. "People with life-threatening emergencies should always call Triple O for urgent assistance from the Queensland Ambulance Service," he said. Mr Robertson said 13 HEALTH was receiving positive feedback from the public. One appreciative caller indicated that as a result of the advice received from 13 HEALTH she attended an emergency department where a mild stroke was diagnosed. The caller reported she probably would not have sought any medical treatment but just "taken two aspirin and gone to bed" if not for the advice she received. Another endorsement came from a caller who rang 13 HEALTH after his son had been badly scalded. He was quite distressed at the time of the call but later rang back to thank the nurse for calming him and providing the right advice about what to do, He said he was very pleased with the service. Another lady who rang regarding her sick mother says the information from the nurse was invaluable and helped her mother tremendously. Mr Robertson said the fact that approximately 20% of callers to 13 HEALTH may ultimately end up at an emergency department misses the point. "Many of the 9,666 callers would most probably have telephoned a hospital emergency department for advice if 13 HEALTH didn't exist. "That means emergency department nurses would have been answering phone calls instead of doing what they are trained to do - help treat patients. "13 HEALTH allows them to get on with the job while experienced registered nurses staffing the hotline provide clinical advice to callers about whether they should go to hospital, see their GP or self-manage their health issue. "Queenslanders think this is a great idea and they are indicating their support for 13 HEALTH by using this valuable health service in their thousands," he said. |
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