After Hours GP services. In the majority of South Australian country hospitals, GP after hours services are available at the hospital normally in the emergency service area. Under the National Health Reform Agreement (2011) this is provided under Clause G21. It states “In those hospitals that rely on GPs for the provision of medical services (normally small rural hospitals), eligible patients may obtain non-admitted patient services as private patients where they request treatment by their own GP, either as part of continuing care or by prior arrangement with the doctor.” Most medical practices in the region of CHSALHN use the infrastructure and nursing support of CHSALHN health emergency service areas for provision of after hours services to their patients. Thus patients attending the hospital for these services may be charged Medicare Benefits Schedule items and gap payments where appropriate. The “Guidelines for after hours primary care responsibilities until June 2013” have been released for Medicare Locals information by the Australian government. The principles include All individuals must be provided with access to the after hours services supported or provided by Medicare Locals. These services must be accessible regardless of the person’s usual residency or general practice arrangements. The service must be available to all patients, not just existing patients of the service or patients of GPs subscribing to or providing the after hours service. Those hospitals that have onsite GP after hours services are listed on the CHSALHN website: xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxxx.xx.xxx.xx/
After Hours GP services. In the majority of South Australian country hospitals, GP after hours services are available at the hospital normally in the emergency service area. Under the National Health Reform Agreement (2011) this is provided under Clause G21. It states “In those hospitals that rely on GPs for the provision of medical services (normally small rural hospitals), eligible patients may obtain non-admitted patient services as private patients where they request treatment by their own GP, either as part of continuing care or by prior arrangement with the doctor.” Most medical practices in the region of CHSALHN use the infrastructure and nursing support of CHSALHN health emergency service areas for provision of after hours services to their patients. Thus patients attending the hospital for these services may be charged Medicare Benefits Schedule items and gap payments where appropriate. Those hospitals that have onsite GP after hours services are listed on the CHSALHN website: xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxxx.xx.xxx.xx/
