Australia's New South Wales (NSW) Government has opened a new Urgent Care Service in Ryde to help people in the area gain timely access to healthcare, without making unnecessary trips to the emergency department.

Delivered in partnership with the Sydney North Health Network (SNHN), the service will be open throughout the year from 8am to 8pm.

To use this service, patients need to dial Healthdirect at 1800 022 222.

Under the service, a registered nurse will analyse the patient's condition and direct them accordingly to the care they require, including booking appointments or escalating to the NSW Ambulance if needed.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said: “The Top Ryde Urgent Care Service is well-supported to treat a range of illnesses and injuries, which are deemed urgent but not life-threatening, such as minor wounds needing stitches, suspected broken bones, and skin infections.

“The service is staffed by doctors and nurses and has important diagnostic services, such as radiology and pathology on site.”

NSW Health has teamed up with primary health networks to provide additional urgent care services across the state to relieve pressure on the emergency departments of hospitals.

Over two years, the government has committed A$124m ($83.34m), with support from the Commonwealth Government, to establish 25 urgent care services in the state by mid-2025.

Sydney North Health Network CEO Kevin Barrow said: “The service is designed to bridge the gap for patients between primary care and emergency care and support patients to have fast access to urgent care, without waiting in the emergency department.

“We encourage community members who need access to fast medical attention for conditions that are not life-threatening, but which shouldn't be left untreated, to access the Top Ryde Urgent Care Service.”

The opening of the new urgent care clinic in Ryde comes after the NSW government launched a mobile app last month for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest.