ACT Health service arrangements for Christmas

ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher MLA, today outlined the arrangements for health services over the Christmas/New Year period.  As with previous years, ACT Health services in some areas will be reduced.

ACT Public Hospitals

The Emergency Departments at both Canberra Hospital and Calvary Hospital will operate as normal over the festive season.

It is usual for elective surgery to be scaled back over the period to enable staff to take leave and this will occur again these holidays. The following arrangements are in place:

• Category 1 elective surgery will continue unchanged.
• For less urgent elective surgery categories, full activity will resume on 1 February 2010.
• Emergency surgery will be available at all times.

Outpatient Services will be limited from 21 December 2009 to 11 January 2009. The fracture plastics clinic will be open on 23 and 30 December with full activity resuming on 6 January 2010.

For information on service availability contact the hospitals’ switchboards on 6244 2222 for Canberra Hospital and 6201 6111 for Calvary Hospital.

Community Health

• Community Health Intake will be closed from 25 to 29 December 2009 and again on 1 January 2010. Civic, Phillip, Tuggeranong and Belconnen Health Services will open on 30 and 31 December.
• Dental clinics will be closed until 4 January 2010 however emergency clinics will operate at Phillip Health Centre on 26, 28, 30 December and 2 January. These sessions can be accessed by phoning 6205 1653.
• Necessary community nursing services for priority patients will be provided on all public holidays.

Please call the Community Health Intake Line on 6207 9977 for more information.

Mental Health

Mental Health Triage provides a 24-hour, 7 days a week telephone screening/assessment and referral service for ACT residents who have a mental illness, their families and their carers.

Mental Health Triage will be operational every day of the Christmas period and will refer to the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team or other services as appropriate.

How to contact Triage:

• Adults: Ph: 1800 629 354 (free call) or 6205 1065

Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

• Children and Adolescents: Ph: 6205 1971

Available Mon-Fri 8.45am – 4.45pm

Please note that the Adult Triage team takes all referrals when the children and adolescent intake is closed.

For problems not associated mental illness, please call the following numbers:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Drug and Alcohol 24 hour help line: 6205 4545
• healthdirect Australia (previously Health First) on 1800 022 222

Residents needing Health information or advice over the Christmas period, can phone Health Direct on 1800 022 222 or visit the ACT Health website: www.health.act.gov.au

24 December 2009