MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today called on local residents across the region to take advantage of a free mobile app which helps users make health decisions quickly and safely.
The healthdirect app, which is now available, helps users:
Check symptoms – guides users through a set of questions to help them understand their symptoms and receive advice on what to do next;
Locate a health service – from a comprehensive national directory;and
Search for trusted information – sourced from Australia’s leading health organisations after a quality assurance process
Mr Marshall said the state government helped fund and support the healthdirect website and helpline 1800 022 222, which are used by millions of Australians each year.
“The app also displays latitude and longitude coordinates which can be relayed to emergency service operators such as Triple Zero (000) call takers – in many of our rural and remote locations, this could be lifesaving information,” Mr Marshall said.
“The helpline is staffed by registered nurses who provide professional health advice to callers round the clock, which helps reduce stressful and unnecessary visits to a hospital emergency department.
“This new mobile app is a natural extension of the helpline and is another way in which our Government is ensuring the community can access the right health care, in the right place, at the right time.”
healthdirect’s Anton Donker encouraged people in NSW to download the app, which is compatible with both Apple and Android devices.
“If you are looking for reliable advice when you or someone close to you isn’t feeling well, if you need to locate the nearest open GP or pharmacy or if you just want to be prepared for an emergency situation, I encourage you to download the app and take a step towards making smarter health decisions,” he said.
To download the free app, search ‘healthdirect’ on the App Store or Google Play.