After Hours Health Services Program
Last updated August 14, 2023
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.
Health care advice is available 24/7 over the phone
Healthdirect provides trusted health information and advice online and over the phone (1800 022 222), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Need to find a GP or pharmacy that is open after hours?
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.
After Hours services on the Central Coast
Central Coast Primary Care currently provides Bridges After Hours at Erina and Kanwal.
After Hours services in the Hunter Region
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.
After Hours services in the New England Region
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:
- Boggabri
- BarrabaBingara
- Emmaville
- Manilla
- Murrurundi
- Quirindi
- Walcha
- Warialda
- Wee Waa
Looking for After Hours Palliative Care?
NSW patients receiving palliative care, their carers and families, have access to a service for additional advice and support during the after hours period.
Healthdirect Helpline - 1800 022 222
After Hours Needs Assessment and Commissioning Project
Article posted December 4th 2020
To improve access to After-Hours Primary Health Care across our region we recently completed a comprehensive Needs Assessment process.