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Mandurah a hotspot for preventable emergency admissions

Victoria RificiMandurah Coastal Times

MANDURAH residents are being urged to take time to get to know their local GP after the city was named a hotspot for potentially preventable emergency admissions.

A report produced by the WA Primary Health Alliance and WA Department of Health proved Mandurah a hotspot for preventable emergency department visits linked to chronic obstructive lung disease.

Seeing a GP is often the best health care option and a viable alternative to emergency care, even during the holiday period.

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WAPHA chairman Dr Richard Choong said getting to know a GP in advance of becoming sick or injured is extremely important for individuals and the entire health system.

“For some critical things, your local emergency department is irreplaceable,” he said.

“However, your GP knows far more about you, your family and your medical history, so when it’s not that urgent, they can give you the best medical advice and treatment.

“This and many other conditions could be managed effectively by a GP, often avoiding the need to be admitted to hospital, if patients maintained an ongoing relationship with their family doctor.”

Local GP Dr Rupert Backhouse said individuals often believe they do not need to maintain a relationship with a doctor unless they have an ongoing illness.

“Even healthy individuals should stay connected to a regular GP,” he said.

“This ensures they’re always up-to-date with screening tests and vaccinations that help to pick up potential illnesses in advance.”

The recently launched Choose Well, When You’re Worried Sick campaign aims to educate the public on medical services available to them at their local GP.

In all these instances choosing the emergency department will help save lives and result in timely, highly skilled emergency care.

Most other ailments and injuries can be treated by a GP.

You should visit the ED if you experience:

Chest pains

Severe headaches you’ve never had before

Trouble with speech or movement

A very sick child

Serious accident or illness.