A new after-hours GP home visit service opening in Newcastle is aimed at easing the strain on clogged hospital emergency departments.
The Doctors to Your Door service is the brainchild of Dominic Bannerman, who is already got the initiative running in Townsville.
The Newcastle service is due to open on May 1, with half of its profits going to charity.
Dr Bannerman is confident it will relieve pressure on local EDs.
“We’re an after-hours home visit doctors service that sees patients with acute medical conditions,” he said.
“That’s the purpose of our service, to fill that gap.
“A patient rings us, rather going to the ED with a problem that doesn’t necessarily have to be sorted in the emergency department.”
Visits before midnight can be bulk billed but those after will cost $400.
Dr Bannerman says the Doctors to Your Door service will open in the city at the start of next month.
He expects it will be particularly helpful to the elderly and parents.
“It is like the old days, where the doctor came for acute medical conditions, not just to give you a script,” he said.
“And that’s what we’re there for – to help young families with children or elderly patients who have trouble getting to a medical centre and end up going to an ED.”
Source: ABC