After hours and urgent care is defined as ‘accessible and effective primary healthcare for people whose health condition cannot wait for treatment until regular primary healthcare services are next available.’ It is not a substitute for primary healthcare that could otherwise occur ‘in hours.’
The after hours period is defined as:
- Outside 8am to 6pm on weekdays
- Outside 8am to 12pm on Saturdays
- All day on Sundays and public holidays.
Patients experiencing an emergency or life-threatening condition should be encouraged to call an ambulance or, if able, head straight to a hospital emergency department.
Patient resources in the after hours period
Available across Murray PHN region
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The healthdirect GP advice and support line 1800 022 222 is available to people who live in a country area from:
- 6pm – 7.30am Monday to Friday
- midday on Saturday
- all day Sunday and on public holidays.
At the end of the call, your patient will be offered a care advice summary sent to them via SMS or email, so they can easily refer to the advice provided to them. They can also agree to have a call summary sent to their regular general practice overnight, so you are aware of the call on the following day. The after hours GP helpline can also upload a summary of your patient’s call to their My Health Record.
healthdirect also has an online symptom checker and a national service finder.
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Nurse-on-call is available by calling 1300 60 60 24 and provides Victorians with health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Patients who prefer an interpreter can call TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be transferred to Nurse-on-call. The National Relay Service is available to assist callers who are hearing or speech impaired.
Available in select communities
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Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCCs) partner with nearby hospital emergency departments to provide free care for people with conditions that require urgent attention, but not an emergency response. This includes conditions like mild infections and burns, suspected fractures or broken bones. They also offer pathology and imaging services (or partner with services close by).
PPCCs operate up to 16 hours a day, seven days a week and accept walk-ins, referrals and pre-booked appointments.
PPCCs in the Murray PHN region
Note operational hours are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please call PPCCs directly.
Albury/ Wodonga
Operated by Sarkon Medical Centre in partnership with Albury Wodonga Health.
- Where: 1A & 2 White box Rise Shopping Centre, 81 Victoria Cross Parade, Wodonga 3690
- When:
Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 8pm
Saturday, 8.30am – 4.30pm - Bookings: 02 6064 1900 or online at HotDoc
Click here to download a poster and click here to download a social media tile.
Bendigo
Operated by Bendigo Primary Care Centre in partnership with Bendigo Health.
- Where: 121 Arnold Street, Bendigo
- When:
Friday to Tuesday, 10am – 10pm
Wednesday to Thursday, 10am – 6pm - Bookings: 03 5445 5690 or online at https://www.bendigoprimarycarecentre.com.au/priority-primary-care
Click here to download a poster and click here to download a social media tile.
Shepparton
Operated by Shepparton Medical Centre in partnership with Goulburn Valley Health.
- Where: 49 Graham Street, Shepparton 3630
- When:
Monday, 8am – 10pm
Tuesday, 8am – 4.30pm
Wednesday, 8am – 10pm
Thursday, 8am – 4.30pm
Friday, 8am – 10pm
Saturday, 8am – 4.30pm
Sunday, 8am – 10pm. - Bookings: 03 5823 3132 or online at http://shepmed.mthc.com.au/ppcc/
Click here to download a poster and click here to download a social media tile.
Mildura
Operated by Sunraysia Community Health Service in partnership with Mildura Base Public Hospital.
- Where: 137 Thirteenth Street, Mildura 3500
- When:
Mildura general practitioner and nurse practitioner services:
Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm
Mildura general practitioner services:
Saturday, 9am – 5.30pm - Bookings: 03 5022 5444
Click here to download a poster and click here to download a social media tile.
Other available materials
Digital poster: What to expect
Social media tile: Free urgent medical careClick here for all PPCC locations across Victoria.
Workforce expression of interest
General practitioners (including GP registrars), registered nurses, enrolled nurses, paramedics, administration staff are invited to express their interest in supporting local PPCCs and the new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in Albury. It’s important to note that the PPCCs and UCCs are not wanting to take workforce away from other services but are looking to support people who are interested in additional days or hours. -
Border Urgent Care Centre in Albury is operated by Border General Practice and is open from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and from 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
The GP-led clinic is providing fully government-funded treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies, including respiratory illnesses, urinary tract infections, sprains, bites and rashes.
To book an appointment, patients can call 02 6067 2810 or click here and book online.
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Supercare Pharmacies in Bendigo, Shepparton and Mildura offer local communities healthcare advice and support, after hours until at least 11pm.
Pharmacists and onsite registered nurses can help with healthcare advice and treatment for a range of minor injuries and illnesses (including skin conditions, rashes, allergic reactions, insect bites, minor cuts, bruises, abrasions, burns, strains and sprains), dispensing medications and prescriptions, and immunisations including for COVID-19 and influenza.
Where appropriate, they can help Victorians without the need for emergency services, but they do not replace doctors. Staff are also able to help connect patients with online medical services such as the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. Consultations with the onsite nurse are free and patients do not require a Medicare card. Pharmacies and nurses have access to a translation service if required.
Locations
Virtual care
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The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) allows people to access care for non-life-threatening emergencies. People can connect to the VVED from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is no referral required, and people can connect directly from any personal device with a camera. People can also be connected to the service via Ambulance Victoria, their GP, other health professionals or their residential aged care home.
If eligible, people will be connected virtually to emergency doctors and nurses who will provide medical advice, from the comfort of their own home or workplace.
As the consultation will be via video, people will need a device with a camera to use this service. Click here to connect.Click here for additional patient information.
Translated patient information: