The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has welcomed the Albanese Government's announcement to extend a 24/7 helpline and strengthen and improve after-hour links to the GP network.
The new nation-wide service, rebadged 1800 Medicare, will be in place from 1 January 2026. Registered nurses will be available 24 hours, a day seven days a week, to provide health advice, refer patients to health services, and in urgent cases, connect them to the patient's regular GP via phone or video.
RACGP President, Dr Michael Wright, backed the announcement.
"This is a positive step forward that will help more people access care when they need it. It will help more GPs across Australia provide after-hours care on weekends and during the week," he said
"After-hours care is a key part of what GPs do in communities nation-wide every day, and this announcement recognises that. So, we look forward to understanding the detail of this program, and working with the Government to make sure that general practice is consulted every step of the way. It is essential that this service integrates with existing general practice care.
"GPs and practice teams are needed by their communities more than ever before. There's no substitute for the high-quality care you get from a specialist GP who knows you and your history. We're the ones with the training and expertise to make sure that patients have all their health needs properly seen to."
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