Orange as the major trauma hospital for Western NSW Local Health District is where most of the major trauma and medical emergency cases from an area the size of Germany are referred.

However in the last financial year, 65 per cent of the patients dealt with in the accident and emergency department at Orange hospital were for non-urgent cases - patients who potentially could have been seen by an after hours GP or pharmacist.

While in reality some residents automatically use the accident and emergency department in lieu of using a GP or going to a pharmacy, many simply have no option if it is outside the existing hours of operation of surgeries and pharmacies.

The statistics from Orange’s accident and emergency department last year are not a one-off.

Indeed in the last few years the percentage of non-urgent cases presenting at Orange has continued to grow.

Orange is perhaps in a unique position with the helicopter base for flying in serious and critical cases, and the 24-hour seven day a week cardiology unit in the hospital. 

There is no doubt that remuneration and appropriate security are issues for any after hours operations, and they will need to be addressed.

Although residents in Sydney for example have access to 24-hour general practitioner and pharmacy services, a busy regional area such as Orange is still waiting.

Add to the mix the demand on ambulance services continues to grow while the staffing load has remained static in Orange for more than a decade.

Regardless of the type of call, NSW Ambulance is obliged to send an ambulance, even if it is for a non-urgent case.

One of the under publicised after hours service is Healthdirect Australia which is a free service offered to the public through NSW Health where a registered nurse can offer advice on non-urgent type cases.