The Southern NSW Local Health District said many patients presenting to the region’s emergency wards “could receive treatment more appropriately by accessing services such as their general practitioner or local pharmacy”.

The Bureau of Health Information released its Healthcare Quarterly report this week, showing how public hospitals and ambulance services across the state performed during the January to March quarter.

The data shows around one in seven patients attended the South East Regional Hospital’s emergency department during the quarter with “non-urgent” conditions, almost the same rate as the same period last year.

Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly blamed a lack of bulk billing across the region for the rate.

“As I talk to healthcare providers around the region, I’ve had consistent feedback that up to 80 per cent of people presenting at emergency rooms in hospitals should’ve been seen by a GP in the first instance,” he said.

“There are not enough bulk billing GPs in the region, which is unfortunately pushing people to see a doctor in a hospital emergency room for no cost.”

Former foundation councillor of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and recent Order of Australia awardee Terence Irvine agrees a lack of bulk billing options in the region is creating “a problem” in the health sector.

The veteran pharmacist said the cost of some pharmaceutical products may be an “obstacle” to many struggling families.

“If they go to the outpatients, the treatment is free,” he said.

“I suppose it is a knee-jerk reaction on behalf of the potential patients.

“I do find it amazing that people are willing to sit for hours to get a consultation, usually with a nurse, for free.”

Mr Irvine said education processes advising the community on the availability of pharmacists should be implemented to help reduce the number of non-emergency hospital presentations.

He agreed a lack of after hours GP and pharmacy options in the Bega Valley may be a contributing factor to the data.

Despite the rise in emergency attendances, health district CEO Andrew Newton said new strategies at the South East Regional Hospital have reduced emergency department waiting times.

For the first time, the BHI has also reported the number of admitted patient episodes for mental health care in NSW public hospitals. 

There were more than 11,000 admitted patient episodes for mental health care during the quarter, accounting for more than 180,000 bed days.