New projects improve access to after hours care

Vulnerable people around the state will benefit from three new projects aimed at improving access to after hours
care in the community.

GP2U Telehealth, the Huon Valley Health Centre and Moreton Group Medical Services have been successful in
applying for funding under Primary Health Tasmania’s after hours care grants program.

Primary Health Tasmania’s Manager – After Hours Care, Ms Meghan Mann, said the program aims to fill gaps in
after hours primary health care for Tasmanians, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable people and people with
limited access to health services.

“This is an exciting opportunity to show how innovative solutions can improve access to after hours primary health
care, and the difference this can make in the lives of some of our most vulnerable people,” Ms Mann said.

The Australian Government funds primary health networks – including Primary Health Tasmania – for activities to
improve access to after hours services for local communities. The after hours period is:

 before 8am and after 6pm weekdays
 before 8am and after 12 noon Saturdays
 all day Sundays and public holidays.

The funding will allow three new after hours services to be piloted between now and 30 June 2017.

GP2U is piloting a unique statewide after hours telephone support service to improve access to care for vulnerable
people experiencing urgent mental distress.

GPs and psychologists will be on call to help community healthcare providers and their vulnerable clients, providing
immediate clinical support such as telehealth consultations for people with urgent mental health issues. These
health professionals can also write urgent prescriptions, refer people to specialists, and put them in touch with
other support services.

“Importantly, each consultation will involve development of a tailored care plan developed with the vulnerable
person, and will link them back to their regular GP if they have one,” Ms Mann said.

It will be available Mondays to Fridays 6-10pm, weekends 2-8pm, and Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s
Day 2-8pm.

The Huon Valley Health Centre will extend its general practice opening hours to 8pm on weeknights and 4pm on
Saturdays for people who need urgent medical help, filling a gap in the current availability of after hours services.
Walk-in appointments will be available to local residents as well as visitors to the area who need urgent medical
care.

“This service will reduce the need for people in the Huon Valley to travel to Hobart for care, as well as taking
pressure off our ambulance services and the hospital emergency department,” Ms Mann said.

Moreton Group Medical Services will pilot a mobile health clinic to improve access to after hours medical care for
vulnerable Tasmanians in the Greater Hobart area.

It will be available to people accessing emergency and transitional accommodation, homelessness services, foster
care, supported accommodation and disability services.

“This service will support organisations and their clients, many of whom have complex needs that impact greatly on
their health and who are often unable to access mainstream health services,” Ms Mann said.

“The mobile clinic will provide much-needed medical care in a non-judgement environment where people feel safe
and secure.”

The service will be available to clients of partnered organisations Mondays to Fridays 6-10pm
Jenny Denholm Manager – Communications and Marketing