Marathon Health is urging Dubbo residents not to go to the emergency department over the Christmas and New year period unless they need critical care.
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It is reminding them of the Dubbo After Hours GP Clinic at Dubbo Hospital and the Dubbo After Hours telephone service on 6884 2100.
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The clinic will be open every Saturday and Sunday, and on Boxing Day and New Year's Day between 2pm and 5:45pm.
It will be closed on Christmas Day.
The telephone service operates between 6pm and 8am on weeknights, and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.
Marathon Health's Therese Behan said emergency departments needed to remain as the "solution to critical situations only".
"Presenting to either the After Hours GP service or calling the telephone service can save crucial resources for emergency departments and potentially save lives," she said.
Marathon Health is encouraging use of the clinic and telephone service.
"We encourage people with non-emergency conditions to visit the Dubbo After Hours GP Clinic or contact our After Hours telephone service, to free up the emergency departments for the people who really need it," Ms Behan said.
In a medical emergency, call triple zero.