GRANTS are up for grabs in a bid by the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WPHN) to stop unnecessary overcrowding of hospital emergency departments in the region.
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Recipients will be existing primary health providers that show they can extend and enhance their after-hours services for urgent care.
They may include general practices, pharmacies, aged-care facilities and Aboriginal medical services.
The WPHN is looking to boost after-hours services particularly for people with mental health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander residents, young children and disadvantaged members of the community including housebound and aged patients with complex needs.
It has launched a competitive grant process with the deadline for applications in early December.
WPHN chief executive officer, Dubbo-based Andrew Harvey, said the move was prompted by the large number of people going to emergency departments for treatment for non-urgent conditions.
He said the trend might be due to "public acceptance in using the emergency department for non-emergencies instead of seeing a GP" and a lack of available and accessible after-hours health care.
Mr Harvey said there were many barriers to receiving treatment outside regular working hours.
"We want to address practical issues, such as a lack of transport," he said.
"We know that this is a barrier to getting to after-hours services, especially for people living in remote communities."
Mr Harvey said the WPHN recognised that "one size does not fit all".
"These service providers know best the needs of their local communities," he said.
"We want to hear how existing services could be enhanced and ideas for new models of care in their local town and area."
After-hours services operate before 8am and after 6pm on weekdays, before 8am and after noon on Saturdays, and all day Sundays and public holidays.
"After-hours primary health care is accessible and effective care for people whose health condition can't wait for treatment until regular services are next available," Mr Harvey said.
WPHN is inviting eligible organisations to apply for funding to improve access to "high-quality, effective and efficient" after-hours primary health care services in Western NSW.
Applications are due by 10am on December 7 with details of the competitive grant process at www.wnswphn.org.au.