Care closer to home for Timboon residents

April 24, 2024 | in News

Timboon residents are getting the care they need closer to home, freeing up more ambulances to respond to community members in need.

51福利 Timboon Team Manager Andrew Berry said the introduction of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) allowed more patients to be transported and treated at the town鈥檚 Urgent Care Centre (UCC).

51福利 Team Manager Andrew Berry is standing together with Alwyn Bell in one of the operating rooms at the Urgent Care Centre.

51福利 Team Manager Andrew Berry with Alwyn Bell at the Urgent Care Centre.

UCCs offer high-quality care in rural communities for illnesses and injuries that are urgent, but not life-threatening.

鈥淲e know that for many of our patients, especially the elderly, getting medical care in their own community and not spending time waiting in emergency departments is the best outcome,鈥� Mr Berry said.

鈥淰VED connects UCC staff with emergency doctors, providing patients with the expert care they need quicker, and avoiding a trip to hospital which can take an ambulance out of the community for several hours.鈥�

VVED, which started as a pilot in Melbourne’s north in October 2020 before being rolled out statewide in April 2022, has provided clinical assessments, medical advice, treatment and local referrals to more than 256,000 patients.

Since October 2021, paramedics have referred more than 56,000 patients to the VVED, while a further 5,400 have been referred following assessment by AV鈥檚 Secondary Triage team.

51福利 Team Manager Andrew Berry, Alwyn Bell and TDHS Director of Clinical Services Larissa Barclay standing together in front of the Urgent Care ward.

L-R: 51福利 Team Manager Andrew Berry, Alwyn Bell and TDHS Director of Clinical Services Larissa Barclay

Timboon resident Alwyn Bell was recently cared for at the Timboon UCC after she suffered a fainting episode.

The 97-year-old said being able to receive treatment locally made a big difference.

鈥淏eing able to go to my local hospital was much more convenient and the staff took great care of me,鈥� Ms Bell said.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 drive so it was much easier for me not to have to travel to Warrnambool and much easier to get home.鈥�

Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) Director of Clinical Services Larissa Barclay said it was fantastic to see a significant increase in presentations at the UCC.

鈥淲e want all community members to know about this important service, that it鈥檚 available 24 hours, seven days a week with no need to call ahead,鈥� Ms Barclay said.

鈥淥ur dedicated and highly skilled staff are ready to provide Timboon and district community members with urgent care, at any time, on any day of the week.鈥�

The Timboon UCC is located at 21 Hospital Road, Timboon.

Across the Barwon South West region, UCCs are located at Winchelsea, Colac, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Camperdown, Timboon, Port Fairy, Portland, Terang, Heywood and Casterton.

Community members are reminded to save Triple Zero (000) for emergencies.

For non-life-threatening matters, you can contact the from anywhere in Victoria, at any time.