Welcome

AFTER HOURS GP CARE at CANTERBURY HOSPITAL
An initiative of NSW Health, and also supported by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing. An Accredited Medical Deputising Service (M.D.S.)

Located in the Outpatients Clinic Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury Road, Campsie


The After Hours GP Clinic at Canterbury Hospital is approx 50 metres, under cover, from the emergency department and operates weeknights and on the weekends. It provides care for the ill and injured and for patients with non life threatening circumstances. The After Hours GP Clinic is not designed to provide ongoing care, and your usual GP will be advised of your visit.

Our local emergency department at Canterbury Hospital is very busy; and our Clinic is available to all, on weeknights and weekends to see cases which, which are more like the cases you go to your GP to assess, and NOT emergencies.

Our Clinic is “accredited”, which means we believe in a quality environment, and employs Doctors well suited to manage your needs. Those eligible for Medicare are Bulk-Billed (No charge) and patients will often be given starter medication packs to begin their treatment immediately.

The After Hours GP Clinic at Canterbury Hospital reviews its activities regularly and is keen to provide quality care, in keeping with recognised healthcare standards, practices and ethics.

OPENING TIMES

Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm
(last patient walk-in no later than 10.30pm)
Saturdays 1pm to 10pm
(last patient walk-in no later than 9.30pm)
Sundays and Public Holidays 10am to 10pm
(last patient walk-in no later than 9.30pm)

Is it an emergency?

•  An emergency can be described as an acute or serious illness or injury that would lead to severe complications if not treated quickly
• Patients requiring urgent attention will be directed to the Canterbury Hospital emergency department which is a 2 minute walk away
• Treatment at our Clinic is based on need and not your financial situation or whether you have health insurance
• You may have to a wait a little while to see a doctor just like a general practitioner (GP) or after hours medical centre, however we will do our best to see you as soon as possible

Why is this Clinic opening?

Non-emergency conditions are best treated by a general practitioner (GP) because:

• You usually won’t have to wait as long to be seen
• It frees up Canterbury Hospital emergency department to treat genuine emergency cases
• It will provide better access to health care after hours in the Campsie area
• To assist local general practitioners in the Campsie area better look after their patients, by providing an After Hours Centre they can send their patients to.
• NSW Health, together with the Department of Health and Ageing have supported this project, and are keen to see the community have good access to see a Doctor After Hours
• Many local GP’s have asked us to look after their patients After Hours, and we will report back to them about your condition

GPs can:

• Many general practitioners who work alone or in group practices or through medical centres can refer their patients.
• As part of our continuity of care your regular doctor will receive a report of your visit to our clinic including any test results. This enables your doctor to follow up, if necessary, on your illness or injury and manage your care.
• If they want, they are welcome to help staff our Clinic

What should you bring?

If you need to visit us, please bring:

• A list of all your tablets and doses that you are currently taking. If you do not have time to make a list simply bring your medications with you
• The name and phone number of your usual general practitioner (GP) or medical centre
• Your Medicare card or passport (if you are not an Australian citizen)
• A list of your allergies
• Your Medic-alert bracelet (if you have one)

What happens when you arrive at our Clinic?

When you arrive you should go to the Reception desk where the clerical staff will register your name on our computer system and create a unique file for our records

They will:

• Ask for your Medicare card or passport (if you are not a citizen of Australia)
• Establish contact details for your usual general practitioner (GP) or medical centre
• Ascertain why you require treatment
• Record contact details for your work if it is a work-related illness or injury

Clerical staff are responsible for registering essential information regarding your identity. They also deal with issues relating to any charges you may incur as a result of your visit.

Care is delivered to all patients regardless of culture, beliefs, conscientious convictions, sexual orientation or disability issues. Your privacy will be respected at all times.

What happens when you see the doctor?

Once inside our clinic, you will be looked after by one of our trained registered doctors. You may experience further waiting if you need to have an x-ray or other tests.

Your doctor will then decide what further treatment you need (and perhaps give you some medication immediately) and you can return home.

Ongoing treatment at home may be arranged with support from the hospital or community-based teams and in conjunction with your usual general practitioner.