24-hour hand injury hotline

Western Sydney-based specialist surgeons have come together to create the Hand Injury Centre Hotline.

The hotline provides 24-hour information seven days a week, guiding the injured person to the specialist surgeon on call and fast-tracking their treatment.

Hand injuries, although not often life-threatening, can be life-altering. An injured hand can make everyday tasks difficult and tiresome, if not impossible. Losing full use of a hand can lead to depression, lower income and in some cases unemployment.

The surgeons that make up the group treat hand injury cases at busy trauma centres at Westmead, Nepean and other hospitals in the same area.

A full rehabilitation program with physiotherapists trained in hand care will assist in getting the injured person back to work as soon as possible.

Care is offered in both a public and private setting, with most surgeries taking place at the two large trauma centres at Westmead and Nepean Hospitals. These hospitals have especially equipped operating facilities and post-surgical staff specially trained in hand care.

If a hand is injured, 1 300 00 HAND (4263) should be the first place to seek advice. A quick phone call will alert the patient of where to go to get treatment.

The surgeons are located around the Western Sydney, North West and Hills District, with post-operative follow-up care in Baulkham Hills, Bankstown, Castle Hill, Canada Bay, Lane Cove, Parramatta, Penrith, and Westmead.

The Hand Injury Centre surgeons will be exhibiting at the Sydney Safety Show, 24-26 October, Sydney Showground.