Feeling unwell? Not sure if you need a doctor?

healthdirect's Symptom Checker can help you decide what to do next.

healthdirect – 1800 022 222

After hours GP helpline is free (on landlines and some mobile phones) and provides you with access to a GP at night, on weekends and public holidays.

When your GP is not available and you have a health concern, call the after hours GP helpline for medical advice and peace of mind. You will receive advice on what to do about your health concern and where to go if you need face-to-face care.

If you are calling from outside of major cities the after hours GP helpline is available:

• Monday to Friday 6pm – 7.30am
• Saturday from midday
• Sunday and Public Holidays all day.

If you are calling from major cities the after hours GP helpline is available:

• Monday to Friday from 11pm – 7.30am
• Saturday from 6pm
• Sunday and Public Holidays all day.

Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to access a GP.

The after hours GP helpline is not a substitute for face to face after hours care for those people who need it.

To search for health services open in your area now, visit healthdirect - find local health services.

To search for General Practice services open in your area now, visit healthdirect - find local health services.

To search for General Practice after hours home visits, go to healthdirect - find local health services.

If your health concern is an emergency, go to your nearest emergency department. Find your nearest ED by visiting healthdirect - find local health services.

The After Hours program supports the access, efficiency and effectiveness of after hours primary health care within the central and eastern Sydney region. We work closely with stakeholders to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of after hours primary health care for patients, particularly those with limited access to health services; and improve access to after hours primary health care through effective planning, coordination and support for population based after hours primary health care.

• Partnering with South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, the After Hours team implemented a project to expand and improve services the Geriatric Flying Squads within St George Hospital, Southcare Sutherland Hospital and Community Health Services regions. This expansion will increase the capacity of these services to provide services to residents in Aged Care Facilities, including assessments, triage services, care planning and follow up.
• Currently working with the local health districts to implement similar models of care within the Prince of Wales, War Memorial and St Vincent’s hospitals regions.
• Working alongside Sydney Local Health District to expand their vision of care within residential facilities, helping to fund an initiative with their outreach team.
• Continued to encourage the After Hours GP Practice Incentive Program to maintain or improve after hours GP services.
• Collected data from multiple sources on a regular basis to:
  1. identify service gaps
  2. measure the utilisation of available services
  3. inform decision on funding allocation; and
  4. target the right groups/areas for marketing and promotion.

• Providing After Hours Innovation and Service Grants for eligible health care providers to support innovation in developing and implementing models of after hours primary care services.
• Emergency department research projects.
• Reducing inappropriate emergency department presentations.
• Marketing and promotional material to ensure appropriate service utilisation.

For more information, email the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN After Hours Team.

The After Hours Practice Incentive Program (PIP) aims to support general practices to provide their patients with appropriate access to after hours care. The PIP is administered by the Department of Human Services on behalf of the Department of Health.