New data shows there were an average of 107 non-urgent cases per month in 2017/18 seen by the Yass District Hospital Emergency Department.

These included minor illnesses or symptoms such as rashes and minor aches and pains.

“Our emergency departments are still very busy,” said the Local Health District’s chief executive, Andrew Newton. “It’s important people understand that emergency departments must prioritise more urgent cases.

“Not all health issues need to be treated at our emergency departments, with a number of suitable alternatives available throughout the local area.”

These include the local pharmacies and doctors practices in Yass. There is also a 24-hour telephone service available, called HealthDirect (1800 022 222). Health professionals on this line can provide advice about health concerns.

The Local Health District uses the NSW Health category scale to triage patients presenting to emergency, with a rating of five being the lowest.

It is these low level presentations that Yass Hospital is seeing a large number of every month.

“Emergency departments are very busy places and you might arrive to a longer-than-expected wait,” Mr Newton said.

“Even when the waiting room is relatively empty, there might be high demand in the treatment area as patients who are acutely unwell are often brought in by ambulance through a back entrance.

“All presentations to the emergency department are prioritised according to the severity of illness or injury, so someone who arrives after you may be seen before you.”

In the case of an emergency, however, always call 000.

The Local Health District has also recently announced that construction of the $8 million NSW government redevelopment at Yass Hospital should begin in early 2019.

This will include 24-hour access to emergency care, an additional treatment bay, dedicated ambulance entry point, an increase in patient beds from 10 to 12, improved community and allied health facilities and ongoing access to X-ray services.