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EMERGENCY

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Ambulances are the safest way to be assessed, treated and transported to the right hospital for the care you need.

Triple zero (000) is a free call from any phone, mobile or phone box.

For less severe but still urgent situations, go to an Emergency Department.

There are 12 public hospital Emergency Departments in Northern NSW Local Health District and they are all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergency departments are located at:

woman and children riding bicycles alongside a river
Published: 18 Jan 2024

Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions are health-related, so to help people turn these health goals into healthy habits, Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is offering the free Get Healthy Service. 

The Get Healthy Service is a phone and online customised coaching program for anyone who is over 16 and lives in NSW. 

It is perfect for anyone who wants to eat well, get active and reduce their alcohol intake. It can also support women to gain a healthy amount of weight in pregnancy. 

NNSWLHD Acting Director of Integrated Care and Allied Health Services, Kathryn Watson, said that people who set specific goals, such as walking for 30 minutes three times a week, are more likely to succeed than people who set general goals like ‘exercise more’.

"Positive goals, like eating more vegetables, are more successful than planning to avoid foods such as, not eating chocolate,” Ms Watson said. 

“When people join the Get Healthy Service, they have access to their own university-qualified health coach, with six or more regular confidential coaching calls at a time that suits them. 

“Our health coaches keep people on track to achieve their goals and overcome barriers.” 

More than 95 per cent of participants report being satisfied or very satisfied with the service. 

Participants who complete the Get Healthy program lose an average of 2.1 kg, reduce their waist circumference by 1.4cms, eat more fruit and vegetables and become more physically active. 

Northern NSW resident, Kellie said the support she received while using the Get Health Service was great. 

“My coach helped me out of my rut, and I feel like I’ve got my life back on track again,” Kellie said. 

“By gaining awareness of areas I could improve, and not feeling judged, I really upped my game.” 

Cultural support is available for Aboriginal participants with a dedicated Aboriginal team that includes a health coach. 

Mia, an Aboriginal woman and mum, has completed the Get Healthy in Pregnancy program and said it really helped her. 

“As a single mum, it’s good to have someone to mentor you to get to your goal, so it drives your motivation skills,” Mia said. 

Free access to in-language health coaching is also available in several languages including Cantonese and Mandarin along with interpreter services provided by the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS). 

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, the Get Healthy Service is delivered by the National Relay Service. 

To join Get Healthy Service, call 1300 806 258 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday, 9am to 5pm or register online at gethealthynsw.com.au.