Parkes Shire residents can now look forward to a more efficient phone system that allows a better integration of clinical areas and cluster calling.

The Parkes Health Service now offers a voice mail option for messages which will assist staff contacting people requesting appointments or information.

Staff are currently reviewing the whole system where they plan to have numbers for, such as the emergency department and doctors, on speed dial.

There are no changes to fax numbers.

The new phone numbers are as follows:

Parkes Hospital: 6861 2400.

Maternity unit: 6861 2430.

Bushman Ward: 6861 2420.

Emergency department: 6861 2440.

X-ray department: 6961 2480.

Physiotherapy: 6861 2485.

Community Health Centre: 6861 2500.

Aged care services: 6861 2555.

Acting Nurse Manager Cathy Ryan requests residents to take note of the new numbers as the old phone numbers will divert your call to the main switchboard and will only do so until the end of the year.

Acting Nurse Manager Cathy Ryan (left) and Administration Officer Donna Edwards from the Parkes Health Service reviewing the new phone system. Picture: Christine Speelman 0710hosp