Canberra’s nurse-led Walk-in Centres can now treat children aged one year and older for minor injuries and illnesses.

Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Health, said this change provides more options for families with young children to seek local, free treatment for minor ailments, while diverting young children away from our emergency departments when appropriate.

Until now, Walk-in Centres have only treated children from two years old.

“Staff at Walk-in Centres can treat many common childhood conditions and injuries, like simple cuts that need a few sutures or dressing changes, ear infections, gastro, and minor bumps and wound infections, with no appointment necessary,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

Children with serious or complex care needs, or whose symptoms do not improve, should seek medical care from a GP, or attend an emergency department. Walk-in Centres will redirect patients to GPs or emergency departments when appropriate.

The decision to treat children from one year of age at the Walk-in Centres was informed by feedback from patients and staff, and by emergency department presentation data.

Eighteen months of research and interviews found that there was little difference between minor common conditions and the course of treatment for two-year-olds at Walk-in Centres and one-year-olds at emergency departments.

“We know from the research that the treatment protocols and common minor conditions treated across both ages and both settings are very similar,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“While we have a wealth of paediatric knowledge in our Walk-in Centres already, our Advanced Practitioner Nurses have undertaken additional training to support this change.”

Nurse-led Walk in Centres are open seven days a week, including public holidays. For opening hours and waiting times, visit the Canberra Health services website. 

Since opening in 2013, the nurse-led Walk-in Centres have complemented health care services across the community, Ms Stephen-Smith said. Almost 7,000 patients presented per month in the first half of this year.

“Thank you to our amazing Walk-in Centre teams for their great work and the excellent health care they provide to our community,” the minister said.