Access to Doctors Easier with After Hours GP Helpline

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PDF printable version of Medicare Locals after hours arrangements (PDF 25 KB)
PDF printable version of Grants to GP clinics for after hours care (PDF 18 KB)

27 December 2011

The Gillard Government has announced a new package of after hours medical services to make it easier for families to reach a doctor when and where they need one.

Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek said under the package the Government was today releasing details of what specific services would be provided by the first Medicare Locals.

“Medicare Locals are being established to coordinate the delivery of health care and tackle local health care needs and service gaps. The details we are releasing today are the local solutions that each Medicare Local has developed to address those gaps – things like grants to local GPs, mobile after hours services, or arrangements to establish after hours clinics co-located with local hospitals.”

Ms Plibersek said the new package is part of the Gillard Government’s additional $260 million investment in after-hours care, which also supports the after hours GP helpline.

“It would be nice if we only fell ill during business hours, but the reality is that hundreds of thousands of Australians every year are forced to attend hospital emergency departments after hours for health concerns that could be treated by a local GP.”

She said over the summer break people should use the Government's new after hours GP helpline - 1800 022 222 - if they need to speak to a doctor in the evenings.

"I am pleased to announce that the service is to be extended to Victoria following discussions between the Commonwealth and the Victorian Government."

The arrangements build on Victoria's successful NURSE-ON-CALL service, linking to the after hours GP helpline from March 2012.

This will mean that GP advice will be available after hours through a simple telephone call in every state and territory, from March 2012.

Since the service was established in July 2011 it has already handled more than 70,000 calls. About a third of calls have been from parents of young children aged up to five years, who have received advice on issues like coughs or fevers.

Ms Plibersek said that the service will be particularly valuable to families during the Christmas and New Year holiday period, when it will be available on all day public holidays.

Today Ms Plibersek also announced that a further 63 communities around the country will have greater access to their local GPs outside of business hours following a grant from the General Practice After Hours Grants program.

“The 63 successful GP clinics will receive up to $100,000 each to assist with the costs of providing after-hours care, including incentives for GPs, wages for support staff and other operating costs. This builds on the 300 communities who benefited from a boost to after-hours GP services in 2010-11.”

“Improving access to after-hours care is one of our greatest challenges, but one we are committed to so that all Australians can receive the best possible health care, no matter where they live and no matter what time of the day.”

Further information is attached on after hours arrangements in Medicare Locals and on grants for after hours care at GP clinics.

For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220