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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:

Simple StEPS to a good start to school
Published: 16 Dec 2021

Vision screening is a key step for children ahead of starting school, to ensure they are off to the best start possible as they transition into the classroom.

The StEPS program is running catch up clinics throughout January in Northern NSW for four year old children heading to school in 2022.

StEPS (State-wide Eyesight Preschooler Screening) is a free program designed to identify childhood vision problems which cannot be detected by observation, family history or vision surveillance.

A StEPS assessment with a trained vision screening nurse is the best way to detect eye problems at an early age, with the aim of avoiding preventable vision impairment or blindness later in life.

Children are particularly at risk of suffering from undetected vision problems because they may not realise they can’t see well, and may not complain of eye problems. The earlier a problem is detected, the more likely it is that it can be corrected.

Given the disruptions to early childhood learning as part of the COVID response throughout the year, not all local preschools have been able to accommodate the screening program as part of their regular schedules this year.

The catch up clinics are for any four-year old children who will be starting school in 2022.

To book your child’s free vision screening, please call (02) 6620 2836 before 4pm on 23 December 2021.

Clinics will be held throughout January at these locations:

  • Ballina
  • Byron Bay
  • Casino
  • Goonellabah
  • Grafton
  • Kingscliff
  • Kyogle
  • Maclean
  • Murwillumbah
  • Pottsville
  • Yamba