Funding has been available to help subsidise an after hours medical clinic for Katherine for years.
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The Federal Government NT Primary Health Network said the launch of a new free “telehealth” service for Katherine follows two years without a clinic.
But the money remained available and has instead been used for other programs in the area.
Residents and visitors in postcode areas 0850 (Katherine township) and 0853 (Tindal) can now access a doctor after-hours via phone or video.
Many people have commented on social media they know little about the new service which is available:
- between 6pm - 8am on weekdays
- after 12 noon on Saturday
- all day Sunday and public holidays
To access the After-Hours HealthNow service, call 1800 931 165 (toll-free).
A spokeswoman for the Primary Health Network said they funded an after hours GP service through a local service provider from June 2014-2016.
“In 2016 the provider declined to continue the program due to difficulties staffing the service,” the spokeswoman said.
Funding has remained available and NT PHN After Hours funds have been provided to service providers in the Katherine region for other programs.
“There have been, and remains ongoing engagement with service providers in regards to addressing the after hours needs of the Katherine community.
“From this engagement, the after hours telehealth trial and extended pharmacy opening hours at Katherine Pharmacy trial commenced.
This new service offers Katherine residents and visitors after-hours consultations with a doctor at no charge.
The telehealth service is not intended as a substitute or replacement for a patient’s regular GP care.
A spokesman for the NT Primary Health Care Network said the trial has started well.
The telehealth service is not intended as a substitute or replacement for a patient’s regular GP care.
It is designed as a complementary service for times when the GP may not be accessible and people have urgent, but not life threatening, health needs.
HealthNow, which is part of Telstra Health, is delivering the After-Hours telehealth service for an initial trial period to the end of June 2019.
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