Heal Specialist Urgent Care has launched its first specialist-led urgent care clinic in the heart of Newcastle and aims to revolutionise how urgent care is delivered in the Newcastle – Hunter region.

Founded by Specialist Emergency Physician, Dr Tim Stewart, Heal Specialist Urgent Care provides a fast, convenient alternative to waiting in the emergency department to access immediate medical care.

Heal Specialist Urgent Care is a private walk-in clinic for people who need urgent medical attention for acute injuries and illnesses, where it’s not life-threatening or severe enough for treatment in a hospital emergency department.

The clinic will open 7 days per week and operate 365 days per year offering convenient medical services to the local community. The clinic is located at 96 Parry Street, Newcastle West and contains 12 private treatment bays, including 3 extra-large family rooms, a procedure room, dedicated X-ray, and rapid pathology testing. There is also a dedicated isolation zone that will be used for infectious disease control (e.g., patients with respiratory infections such as COVID-19). Ample free onsite parking which is accessed via Union Street.

CEO and Medical Director, Dr Tim Stewart said they set out to provide an exceptional alternative to the Emergency Department for those patients needing immediate medical attention for an acute illness or injury, with as little stress as possible.

“Having worked for almost 20 years in various public hospital emergency departments, I’m passionate about enhancing the patient experience by offering a service that is convenient and efficient, whilst offering exceptional medical care,” Tim said.

“By offering an end-to-end solution for people, we are offloading our overcrowded emergency departments, allowing our colleagues to focus on real emergencies, and benefiting our public health system overall.”

The name ‘Heal’ was derived from the concept of caring for people during an unexpected injury or illness and following them all the way through to healing – providing a wraparound service.

Heal have also therefore developed a separate After Care Clinic in the same building, which provides appointment-based follow-up for patients.

As part of After Care, the Heal Fracture Clinic allows patients to access efficient follow-up treatment and services for broken bones, fractures, and injured limbs, provided by Orthopaedic Specialists and Physiotherapists.

Heal Specialist Urgent Care is being sought by local businesses to help get their workers back to work and not keep them waiting for care at the local ED.

“Our team aims to offer efficient service by implementing operational systems, technology and optimal staffing in place to minimise patient wait times,” Tim said.

“Most people presenting at Heal Specialist Urgent Care will be seen by a medical professional and treated in less than 60 minutes, without feeling like they are being rushed.

“We offer a walk-in service, where no appointment is required. However, if you’d like to reserve a time to be seen by our team, you also have the option to book ahead.”

The new clinic has partnered with Hunter Imaging Group which will provide onsite X-Ray facilities to patients who require it. This will be the region’s first X-Ray facility that is open to the public 7 days a week without needing to present to a hospital emergency department.

In addition, with the help of partner, Laverty Pathology, also situated within the clinic, patients can access rapid pathology results in under 10 minutes, 7 days per week.

This is also ground-breaking since these machines are normally only accessible in a hospital setting.

To enhance the patient experience, a concierge service is offered to those who require assistance with getting out of the car.

Patients can simply call ahead and a member of Heal’s team will be there waiting to assist upon your arrival.

The concierge staff are trained to look after people’s needs and to make their experience as simple and pleasant as possible.

IMAGE | Heal Urgent Care’s new clinic. Image and photography credit: Evoke Projects and Liz Kalaf Photography