St John Urgent Care urges Perth families to use clinics for winter ills

St John Urgent Care urges Perth families to use clinics for winter ills

With cold and flu season at its peak and junior sports in full swing, St John Urgent Care is encouraging Perth families to utilize urgent care clinics for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries to reduce the burden on emergency departments.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 42.5 per cent of emergency department presentations in Western Australia are classified as non-life-threatening. These are categorized as triage categories 4 and 5, conditions that the provider says can often be managed in an urgent care setting.

Common Winter Presentations

St John Urgent Care reports that injuries account for 47 per cent of all presentations, while infections make up 22 per cent. The provider notes that winter is the peak season for respiratory illnesses, including influenza, which often present as coughs and fevers across all age groups.

Sporting activities frequently lead to bumps and tumbles. The clinic lists sprained ankles, wrist injuries, and suspected fractures as some of the most common reasons for visits. Additionally, the provider highlights other common winter concerns:

• Pediatric ailments: Sore throats and painful ears that can disrupt eating, drinking, and sleep for children and their households.
• Gastrointestinal issues: Stomach bugs and bouts of gastro requiring assessment for symptom management and hydration.
• Skin injuries: Lacerations from backyard accidents or sporting mishaps that may require skin glue or stitches.

Available Services and Access

To help families avoid traveling between multiple healthcare providers, St John Urgent Care provides on-site diagnostics, including blood tests and X-rays. Treatments such as casting, splinting, stitches, and short-term prescriptions can often be completed in a single visit. Following treatment, a summary is sent to the patient’s regular GP for ongoing care.

The service operates as a walk-in clinic with extended opening hours. To assist with planning, a live online dashboard allows patients to check wait times before leaving home. Upon arrival, patients are triaged to prioritize those needing more urgent attention before being assessed by a Nurse Practitioner or General Practitioner.

The provider clarifies that any serious or life-threatening emergencies should still be treated in an emergency department or via a call to Triple Zero (000).

Winter Context in Perth

The push for urgent care utilization comes as Perth families navigate the winter months, where temperatures typically range from 8°C to 19°C. While the city remains active with indoor attractions like Scitech, the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip, and various trampoline parks, the cooler weather and peak rainfall in June and July contribute to the rise in seasonal illnesses.

However, the seasonal challenges for some Perth residents extend beyond health. In separate reports on the region's current climate, the housing crisis has left some families in precarious positions. One man, Steve Pountney, has lived in a bus in Perth bushland for three years. He noted that this winter has been particularly challenging due to the lack of space and safety concerns.

The chief executive of Ruah Community Services, Debra Zanella, stated that the demand for permanent housing cannot be met, noting that the service could only find housing for 13 of the 1,400 people sleeping rough in the greater Perth area as of May.