Having access to fast, reliable health advice is important to all Territorians.
To make sure this can occur, the Territory Government has expanded the healthdirect helpline across the Northern Territory.
The expansion means callers from the NT who need GP consultation but cannot meet their normal GP in an appropriate timeframe can now access the option of a virtual GP service after hours.
The service expansion to include GPs aims to help Territorians to access timely healthcare – including when a person’s regular GP is unavailable or GP clinics are closed.
The healthdirect GP service is attached to the pre-existing 1800 022 222 number, which is a nurse triage service.
Callers to healthdirect are assessed by a registered nurse and, based on symptoms and if access to a GP is not available, the nurse may offer a phone or video call from a GP. The GP will then make contact within 15 minutes or 1 hour, depending on the urgency of the health issue.
At the end of the call, patients will be sent a care advice summary via SMS or email, so they can easily recall the details of the advice and take it to their regular GP for follow-up.
The expansion of this hotline aligns with the recently opened Urgent Care Clinic in Palmerston, with Alice Springs due to open on 1 November, 2023.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
“Access to fast and reliable health advice is important to everyone, that’s why the expansion of the healthdirect service to include GP after hour’s advice is so important.
“Anyone in the Territory can call the 1800 022 222 after hours for medical advice and next steps.
“The Territory Labor Government will continue to invest in healthcare that benefits all Territorians, no matter if you are in the city or the bush.”
Northern Territory Government
