After Hours Needs Assessment and Commissioning Project
To improve access to After-Hours Primary Health Care across our region we recently completed a comprehensive Needs Assessment process.
After Hours Primary Health Care (AHPHC) is defined as accessible and effective care for people whose health condition is urgent and cannot wait for treatment until regular services are available.
Healthdirect provides trusted health information and advice online and over the phone (1800 022 222), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The National Health Services Directory allows consumers to easily search for the closest doctor, pharmacy or other health services that are open now, including after hours. This service is provided by Healthdirect.
Central Coast Primary Care currently provides Bridge After Hours at Erina and Kanwal.
Hunter Primary Care currently provides the GP Access After Hours services in the Maitland, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region by utilizing a telephone based triage.
After Hours (Newcastle) Medical Service provides a mobile deputising service in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas. The service also includes an After Hours clinic located at Broadmeadow which provides after hours care for the community with no appointments necessary.
HealthWISE New England North West currently coordinates the Small Towns After Hours (STAH) program which provides a telephone link between a registered nurse in a rural and remote hospital and a GP VMO from a district size town for triage Category 3-5, when the GP rostered to be on-call at the hospital is unavailable. Hours of operation are determined by the length of time the regular doctor is absent from their town.
The STAH program services the following towns:
NSW patients receiving palliative care, their carers and families, have access to a service for additional advice and support during the after hours period.
PALLIATIVE CARE AFTER HOURS HELPLINE - 1800 548 225
To improve access to After-Hours Primary Health Care across our region we recently completed a comprehensive Needs Assessment process.