It’s 3am and Your GP is closed — Who Can You Call?

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2 June 2011

After-hours contact with a GP will be just a phone-call away from July 1, as the Gillard Government today announced that Medibank has been appointed to be the operator for the after hours GP helpline and has already recruited over 100 doctors.

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon explained the after hours GP helpline is an important part of national health reform as the Gillard Government makes it easier for families to contact a doctor when they need to.

“Having a sick child is a worry for any parent. But, when that small cry for help comes at 3am, it can be even more concerning as many parents are left asking, ‘Who can I call for help?’,” Minister Roxon said.

“This will change from 1 July, when the Gillard Government’s new after hours GP helpline kicks off.

“People will be able to pick up the phone and talk to a nurse or GP to get advice and, if needed, referred to their nearest open after-hours service.

“This is just one example of how Labor is delivering services that matter to families.

“The after hours GP helpline will be complemented by the Gillard Government’s new Medicare Locals. The first Medicare Locals will also start to operate from 1 July and will have a key role in coordinating face-to-face after-hours care, helping to make it easier for Australians to see and contact a doctor.

“One of Australia’s most trusted health brands, Medibank Health Solutions, will operate the after hours GP helpline with a team of about 100 GPs and over 240 nurses on staff to answer calls.”

Medibank Health Solutions’ recruitment of GPs to staff the hotline is well underway and GP Dr Ian Boyd spoke about how he’s looking forward to being on-call to answer questions across the country.

“This is an exciting time and a good opportunity,” Dr Boyd said.

“I’m looking forward to being able to make a difference to people all around Australia when they are not sure what to do and their local GP isn’t available.”

The after hours GP helpline will be added to existing telephone-based nurse triage, information and advice services currently available across the country.

The service will be available in most states and territories from 1 July 2011, with Queensland from early 2012, building on Queensland’s existing nurse advice line. The Gillard Government has offered to connect the after hours GP helpline to Victoria’s nurse advice line, and is awaiting Victoria’s response.

The service will be free to callers from landlines within Australia and will operate between 6pm and 8am Monday to Friday, 6pm Friday to 8am Saturday, 12pm Saturday to 8am Monday, and on all national and state/territory public holidays.

For more information, contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7220