HEALTH HOTLINE HELPS OVER 400 QUEENSLANDERS A DAY

The Beattie Government’s statewide 13 HEALTH hotline has helped more than 145,000 callers in just one year with fast, reliable advice to health enquiries and concerns, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson joined previous users of 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and the nurses who took their calls to celebrate its one year anniversary.

13 HEALTH is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week service providing clinically-based triage advice from a nurse and health service information for the cost of a local call.

“13 HEALTH’s popularity has exceeded expectations. During its first year it has grown to become a valuable part of our health system,” Mr Robertson said.

“Since the service became available statewide on 24 April last year, the call centre has taken 145,120 calls which equates to more than 400 calls a day.

“Nurses on the other end of the line have handled all manner of complaints, from parents of children with rashes, fevers and bites to adults with tooth aches, abdominal pains and dangerous looking sun spots.

“In some cases, 13 HEALTH has shown it could be life-saving.”

Mr Robertson met Kingston resident Sue Wiseman whose call to a 13 HEALTH nurse last December resulted in her being treated for a brain aneurism.

“Ms Wiseman wasn’t feeling well with dizziness and pain on the top of her head and neck and her daughter suggested she call 13 HEALTH for assistance,” he said.

“The nurse convinced Ms Wiseman to have an ambulance pick her up and transferred her call via teleconference.

“During the transfer, she complained about feeling tired and the nurse stayed on the line providing details to the ambulance call centre. She was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital where doctors discovered a brain aneurism and performed surgery.

“She is receiving ongoing care and being monitored monthly at the P.A.”

Mr Robertson said calls were being answered on average within 12 seconds and nurses were spending nearly nine minutes dealing with each call referred to them.

“Last September was 13 HEALTH’s busiest month over the year with a total 16,006 calls,” he said.

“Weekends are the busiest time of the week with Sunday averaging 569 calls and Saturday averaging 523 followed by Mondays with 459.

“13 HEALTH’s peak hours are between 6 and 9 pm with an average 40 calls being made around 7pm on a daily basis.”

Mr Robertson stressed 13 HEALTH did not replace Triple O or medical consultations, and was for non-life threatening situations only.

“People in emergency situations should always call Triple O for urgent assistance from the Queensland Ambulance Service,” he said.

The ten most common symptoms callers experienced when calling 13 HEALTH since it began on 24 April, last year:

22 April,  2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056