After Hours Review

The After Hours Review investigated the need for primary care after‐hours services, the current state of these services, and successful models. The final report provides options for immediate improvements and longer-term reform.

About the review

After-hours primary care provides medical care to people with urgent but not life-threatening conditions. 

The review looked at:

  • the current state of the after-hours primary care system
  • how after-hours primary care services can be better integrated with community care, acute care and emergency care services
  • the effectiveness of policies and programs related to after-hours primary care access.

It drew on extensive consultation with consumers, practitioners and providers of after-hours primary care services.

An expert advisory panel oversaw the review, including providing advice on key issues and direction. 

Members advised on, rather than endorsed, the final report’s findings, key themes or opportunities for reform.

Why it’s important

A strong after-hours primary care system helps to:

  • ease pressure on emergency departments 
  • ensure Australians can get urgent care when they need it. 

The review responds to Strengthening Medicare Taskforce recommendations.

Expert advisory panel

Membership of the panel included expertise in primary care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, health economics, and health systems. 

MemberExpertise and role
Mr Mark Roddam (Chair – ex officio)First Assistant Secretary, Primary Care Division, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Professor Anthony Scott 

Health economist

Professor and Director, Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University

Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo

General practitioner with an expertise in priority populations health 

Practice Principal, East Canberra General Practice 

Dr Dawn Casey PSM (Proxy Dr Jason Agostino)

First Nations health

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Ms Denise Lyons

Nurse practitioner

Board member, Australia Primary Health Care Nurses Association 

Professor Henry Cutler

Health economist 

Director, Centre for Health Economy, Macquarie Business School

Dr Paul Mara AM

Rural and remote general practitioner

Managing Director, Quality Practice Accreditation

Ms Sinead O’Brien

State and territory representative

Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy and Governance), Department of Health and Wellbeing South Australia

Emeritus Professor Stephen Duckett AM

Health system financing 

Honorary Professor in the School of Population and Global Health University of Melbourne

Tracey Johnson

Practice Manager and Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary, Inala Primary Care

Status

The review is complete. 

The final report identifies opportunities for:

  • making after-hours care more accessible and affordable for patients
  • improving quality and safety
  • better integrating after-hours care into the urgent care system to reduce pressure on emergency departments
  • ensuring the financial viability of after-hours primary care providers 
  • supporting after-hours primary care in regional, rural and remote areas.

Learn more

Contact

Strengthening Medicare contact

Email us for information about our measures to strengthen Medicare.
Date last updated:
Tags: 

Help us improve health.gov.au

If you would like a response please use the enquiries form instead.