A JUMP in after-hours GP services has led to hopes fewer people will clog south-west emergency departments with minor problems.
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There has been a 20 per cent increase in the number of clinics offering after-hours services around the region in towns such as Portland, Coleraine, Casterton, Hamilton, Penshurst, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Terang, Timboon and Camperdown.
Great South Coast Medicare Local After Hours program co-ordinator Aneill Kamath said the program had helped reduce the number of people attending hospitals. “The number of visits to residential aged care clients is significant, as this group often has difficulty in travelling to GP surgeries,” Mr Kamath said.
“In the future we hope to increase the involvement of local Aboriginal health services in the After Hours program.”
