By Melissa Welsh, Director Allied Health and Integrated Community Services, Far West LHD
HOSPITALS, emergency departments and the staff who look after people are the most common topics when people talk about health care. While hospital care is a big part of our public health care system, there are also other healthcare options available.
There are many different health professionals that you might encounter when you visit a hospital, all with different roles to help you manage your illness and improve your health.
Then there is the rest of our healthcare system, the services you access before and after hospital care, or to prevent having to go to hospital in the first place. These services include community health services, primary health care services, integrated care services, and allied health services.
There is no-one more invested in your health than you, and because health and wellness can be complicated, sometimes you need expert advice. There is so much information out there, and it can sometimes be overwhelming.
If you or someone you care about needs health advice, treatment or care and it is not life-threatening, you can call Healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222 where you will speak with a registered nurse.
Depending on your condition, the nurse will recommend the right care option for you and connect you with one of the many services available in NSW, including virtual services such as the statewide VirtualKIDS.
If it is an emergency, please seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000).
This column is a place to start your health journey, and a place to turn when you have questions about the Far West Local Health District services that can help you stay healthy.
In the meantime, have you checked out the Far West of Centre podcast? You might find some inspiration from one of our episodes, and we will keep adding seasons to this podcast. Simply search ‘Far West of Centre’ on your chosen platform to listen in.
Let us know if there are topics you want to hear about, and we will work to bring them to you.
Contact FWLHD-PCBH@health.nsw.gov.au or our webpage FWLHD-Feedback@health.nsw.gov.au if there is a topic you want to know more about.
