A new after-hours Doctor on Duty service has commenced operating on the Central Coast.
“Doctor on Duty is a team of experienced doctors who provide after-hours care, treating patients needing medical attention in those after hour periods when their GP or medical centre is closed,” said Ms Beth Wakefi eld, Doctor on Duty practice manager. “This service provides the community with a convenient option and is available to everyone with a valid Medicare card,” Ms Wakefi eld said. “Many of our patients are in situations where they may not be able to leave their homes. “They may have an ill child or an elderly person in their care who needs medical attention before their GP re-opens in the morning or after the weekend. “Quality care is our priority. “Our doctors go to patients when and where they need us most. “We attend to them in their own homes and also visit many patients in local nursing homes or other locations within the community,” Ms Wakefi eld said. The Doctor on Duty service is provided from 6:00pm until 8:00am weekdays, from 12:00pm until 8:00am Saturdays and all day and night on Sundays and Public Holidays. Home visits are bulk billed for all calls booked before midnight. Treatment can start immediately, with free initial medications and scripts provided. Calls are taken by trained triage staff enabling patients to be properly prioritised. Doctors are chaperoned by drivers to enable swift attention and they don’t carry any drugs of addiction. According to Ms Wakefi eld, Doctor on Duty is not an emergency service.
Media release, 15 June 2015 Sue Sage, Solitary Marketing