After Hours GP helpline
After Hours GP helpline - Information for health professionals
On 1 July 2011, the Australian Government and healthdirect Australia established a new after hours GP helpline.
Patients who require after hours medical advice, who cannot access their usual GP and are not sure what they should do, will be able to speak to a GP over the telephone, when necessary.
The after hours GP helpline is intended for patients who require urgent but not acute medical assistance and are unsure of the health treatment they require.
The after hours GP helpline provides a comprehensive service aimed at providing callers with quality medical advice when they need it, while not replacing face-to-face consultations between GPs and patients when they are required.
The service is available through healthdirect Australia, extending the current 24-hour nurse triage service.
The links below will assist and support GP involvement in the new service.
Download:
GPs/practice managers can order free brochures, magnets and posters.
GPs/practice managers can record and place After hours GP Helpline Voice Scripts on their practice’s answering service, for after hours callers.
GPs/practice managers can include the helpline phone number – 1800 022 222 – on their practice website by downloading After Hours GP Helpline badges.
At a glance
- Phone number: 1800 022 222
- Free from a landline
- Operating times:
- 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday
- 6pm Friday to 8am Saturday
- 12noon Saturday to 8am Monday
- 24 hours on public holidays - On 1 July 2011 the helpline became available in the following states:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Western Australia - For more information visit www.yourhealth.gov.au/gphelpline
- Note: For people living in Tasmania, access to after hours GP telephone advice is available through GP Assist - call 1300 780 011.
The service will be available to people living in Queensland from early 2012 through 13HEALTH.
People living in Victoria can continue to access NURSE-ON-CALL for after hours health information and advice from nurses. Negotiations are progressing with Victoria so that the after hours GP helpline can also be accessed through Victoria`s NURSE-ON-CALL service
