After Hours Primary Health Care Clinic to Continue

After Hours Primary Health Care Clinic to continue

Kyabram District Health Service has announced the continuation of the very successful Afters Hours GP Clinic for the next 12 months. With outstanding results on the back of a 3-month proof of trial concept for the clinic, KDHS CEO Anne McEvoy said she was extremely excited to announce the continuation of the service that provides another choice for patients that aligns with the needs of the community and strengthens the health system.

“We’ve had amazing support from the community for the clinic, and the incredible dedication of Doctors, Nurses and staff has contributed to this much needed service becoming a reality for the next 12 months,” she said.

The After Hours GP Clinic was implemented in April this year on a 3-month proof of trial concept, designed to ease the load on emergency departments and urgent care centres by offering after hours care for non-urgent health concerns. Director of Medical Services Dr. Ka Chun Tse said the trial period, funded by Murray Primary Health Network, provided the community with vital after hours, bulk billed access to GP care. “With no GP led service available locally after hours, we were able to really explore the need during the trial period with Dr Nandini Prasad and Dr Adam Wilson making the trip from Melbourne for the weekend service, and local Dr Ghaleb Jaber completing the rotation over the Wednesday evenings. Recently we reverted to weekends only which will be the model going forward,” he said.

Up until June 17, a total of 383 patients had utilised the clinic with 83% of those being locals from the Kyabram postcode area. Project lead Cherie Hunter said data collected from the trial period showed the most common presentations being tonsillitis, coughs and chest infections, skin infections and urinary tract infections.

“These are all typical non urgent presentations but importantly, the patients were able to receive the care they needed in a timely manner, without impacting the urgent care centre,” she said.  Ms Hunter said KDHS was extremely grateful to Murray PHN for funding the trial period which has proven a need for the service in Kyabram, and was thrilled KDHS has committed to the next 12 months, urging continued support from the community. “The community has been awesome, and it is imperative that the service continues to be supported so that we can ensure sustainability beyond the 12 months, we thank the community for support so far and urge them to spread the word that this service is available of a weekend,” she said.

The After Hours GP Clinic opens every Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 5pm and operates from the consulting suites at KDHS in Fenaughty St Kyabram. “Bookings are preferred for the clinic via the HotDoc app, however, for those not able to use
the app, we have assistance available by calling (03) 58570200 during office hours only and during clinic operational times,” Ms Hunter said.  Walk-ins will be accepted if there is capacity, but there may be a wait time or redirection to alternative options, so bookings are preferred. For more information, visit the KDHS website,