GP Access After Hours

GP Access After Hours provides a range of services including:

• Assessment by experienced, qualified GPs and registered nurses
• Care for children e.g. sore throats and ears, high temperatures
• X-Rays
• Pathology as needed
• Plaster/back slabs
• Wound review and dressings
• Rashes
• Pain
• Cuts
• Fractures
• Burns

When you call GP Access, we will talk to you about your medical problem and the best treatment options for you. Depending on your condition we will then:

•         make an appointment for you at one our GP Access After Hours clinics
•         refer you to the Emergency Department if you need urgent hospital care
•         provide phone advice from one of our registered nurses or GPs
•         link you to another specialised service e.g. Poisons Information Center

At this point in time, we do not accept online bookings or online referrals. Please call 1300 130 147 and speak to one of our qualified staff who can provide advice and if necessary, arrange an appointment at one of our five clinics.

An experienced GP or Registered Nurse will take a brief history of your health concern and will give you the most appropriate care.

Following your after-hours consultation with local, experienced staff, a detailed medical report is prepared by the GP. This report is then forwarded to your regular GP within 24 hours of the consultation. We also advise you to see your regular GP for follow up care.

Anyone can call GP Access on 1300 130 147 and if required, will be provided with an appointment at one of our five clinics.

Yes, you can call GP Access on 1300 130 147.

Depending on your illness or injury, you will be:

• provided with an appointment at one of our five clinics
• advised to go to the nearest Emergency Department
• advised to call triple 000 for an ambulance
• provided self-care information and advised to make an appointment with your regular GP in normal business hours.

GP Access is open weeknights, weekends and public holidays.

Our call centre hours are:

Weeknights – 5.30pm until 8.00am the next day
Weekends – 12.00pm (noon) Saturday to Monday 8.00am
Public Holidays – 24 hours

The GP Access clinics are open weeknights, weekends and public holidays.

Our clinics are open from:

Weeknights – 6.00pm to 11.00pm*
Saturdays – 1.00pm to 11.00pm*
Sundays and Public Holidays – 9.00am to 11.00pm*

* Dependent on location and patient activity, closing times may vary.

GP Access is a Medicare Bulk Billed Service for anyone who holds a Medicare card. If you are an overseas visitor or student you will be charged per consultation.

Four of our five clinics are located within local public hospitals with easy access to emergency departments and specialist services if required. Look for the GP Access After Hours signs at:

• Belmont Hospital – Croudace Bay Road, Belmont
• John Hunter Hospital – Lookout Road, New Lambton
• Maitland Hospital – High Street, Maitland
• Calvary Mater Hospital – Edith Street, Waratah
• Westlakes Community Health Centre (Toronto Polyclinic) – 6 James Street, Toronto

GP Access After Hours clinics are staffed by 250 experienced local doctors (who are all qualified General Practitioners), registered nurses and administration staff. Our staff have extensive experience working in general practices and provide comprehensive, reliable and safe care.

When you call GP Access After Hours you will be given an appointment time at one of our clinics. You only need to arrive at the clinic 15 minutes before your appointment. Over 90% of all people attending a GP Access After Hours Clinic are seen within 30 minutes of their appointment time.

We prefer that you call 1300 130 147 so that you can be given a suitable appointment time at a local clinic.

We provide home visits in limited circumstances, where it is medically required and not possible for the patient to attend a GP Access After Hours clinic.

Home visits restrict the type of care Doctors can administer, so we prefer patients to attend one of our clinics where our staff can provide comprehensive and safe care to meet your immediate needs.

All information is treated confidentially and meets privacy legislation.

With your permission, our consultation notes are electronically forwarded to your regular GP within 24 hours of your GP Access After Hours clinic appointment.
The physical medical records and related information created and maintained for the continuing management of each patient are the property of this Service. This information is deemed a personal health record and while the patient does not have ownership of the record he/she has the right to access under the provisions of the Commonwealth Privacy and State Health Records Acts. Patients are provided with

a copy of the notes from their consultation, at the time of the consultation. Post consultation, they can obtain a copy of their health information if they submit a written request. View our Privacy Policy.

After you have visited a GP Access clinic you will need to follow up with your own doctor for further treatment as we do not provide ongoing or routine treatment.

For non-urgent care, you should make an appointment to see your GP during normal surgery hours.

In exceptional circumstances and if appropriate, transport to a clinic can be arranged if no other transport options are available.

Our service is committed to delivering safe and high-quality healthcare and complies with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices.

We are an AGPAL Accredited Quality Practice and an Approved Medical Deputising Service.

We are always interested to receive feedback about our service. You can do this by:

• Asking the clinic receptionist for a feedback form
• Send an email to: enquiries@hunterprimarycare.com.au
• Speaking to your GP
• Call GP Access After Hours during business hours on (02) 4925 2259 and ask to speak with the GP Access After Hours Manager
• Send a letter to GP Access After Hours, PO Box 572, Newcastle NSW 2300