{"id":32801,"date":"2025-05-21T17:00:35","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T17:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=32801"},"modified":"2025-05-21T17:00:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T17:00:35","slug":"save-the-healthdirect-number-now-get-instant-health-advice-and-treatment-when-winter-illness-strikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2025\/05\/21\/save-the-healthdirect-number-now-get-instant-health-advice-and-treatment-when-winter-illness-strikes\/","title":{"rendered":"Save the Healthdirect number now – get instant health advice and treatment when winter illness strikes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With an increase in winter illnesses expected over the coming months, people across NSW are being reminded free and instant health advice and treatment is available 24\/7 by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new campaign, launched by NSW Health this week, is encouraging all NSW residents to save 1800 022 222<\/a> in their phone, to be ready for when illness strikes over winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An increasing number of people are turning to the service to get the advice and reassurance they need to recover quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last winter, nearly 20,000 people across NSW called Healthdirect seeking care for their cold and flu symptoms, almost double the number of people from 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of these, four in five people avoided an unnecessary trip to the emergency department, instead managing their symptoms at home with virtual care or through an appointment with a GP or at a local urgent care service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When people call Healthdirect, a registered nurse will ask some questions about their health. Depending on their condition, the nurse will recommend the right healthcare option. This may include a nearby doctor, pharmacist or urgent care service, connecting them with specialist virtual care, or calling an ambulance if it is life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need support in your language, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450<\/a> and ask to be connected to healthdirect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you or someone you are with is experiencing a medical emergency, please continue to call Triple Zero (000) immediately. For example, you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, sudden collapse or are seriously injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minns Labor Government has invested half a billion dollars into ED relief, which includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n