Mona Vale Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre has become the first in New South Wales to implement Emergency Care Assessment and Treatment protocols.
Mona Vale Adopts ECAT Protocols
On 15 July 2025, Mona Vale Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre (UCC) began using Emergency Care Assessment and Treatment (ECAT) protocols, marking the first introduction of the program at a UCC in New South Wales.
Background to the Program
The ECAT program is a statewide initiative designed to standardise nurse-initiated emergency care. It was developed to reduce wait times, improve patient outcomes, and ensure patients receive consistent treatment across hospitals. The protocols were rolled out across Northern Sydney Local Health District emergency departments in 2024 before being extended to Mona Vale UCC.
How the Protocols Work
Under ECAT, nurses are able to begin treatment immediately after triage rather than waiting for a medical officer, nurse practitioner, or physiotherapist. The system is supported by standardised protocols for both adult and paediatric patients, as well as education pathways and governance frameworks to ensure safe and consistent practice.
Early Implementation at Mona Vale
Within the first 24 hours of adoption at Mona Vale UCC, the protocols were applied to 23 patient presentations. Local health staff reported that the approach is helping streamline care and reduce patient anxiety by providing faster initial treatment.
Benefits of ECAT
Statewide, ECAT introduces 41 adult and 32 paediatric protocols. These support nurses in delivering initial pain relief, ordering x-rays or pathology, and managing early treatment needs. Benefits include reduced patient length of stay, improved clinical collaboration, and clearer career progression for emergency nurses. Hospitals are expected to see more consistent onboarding processes and shared education resources.
Future Outlook
Mona Vale UCC’s early adoption of ECAT highlights the program’s potential to expand across other urgent care settings. The initiative will continue to be monitored through safety and quality frameworks to ensure consistency across metropolitan, regional, and rural hospitals in New South Wales.
Published 18-Aug-2025
