After hours GP services at Campbelltown Hospital closed
Campbelltown Hospital’s after hours GP service has been scrapped as health authorities look to secure additional providers to meet the need for after hours care.
Macarthur
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Campbelltown Hospital’s after hours GP service has been scrapped as health authorities look to secure additional providers to meet the need for after hours care.
The South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN), who administer the service, announced late last year that the after hours GP service offered at Campbelltown Hospital would cease due to a lack of space at the hospital.
The service was closed for good on January 28.
SWSPHN chief executive officer Bruce McDonald said the organisation was now in negotiations with other GP service providers to increase the number of clinics available after hours across the region and expected more after hours services to be open from March.
“South Western Sydney PHN is currently in contract negotiations with a number of vendors to provide expanded after hours services across South Western Sydney,” he said.
“Details about the new services and how local residents can access them will be announced in early March.
“These services are in addition to a number of practices currently operating near Campbelltown Hospital in the after hours period as well as other after services including the GP helpline and medical deputising services which are also available locally.”
Mr McDonald said after hours GP services were available in neighbouring suburbs around Campbelltown with 10 clinics open in proximity to the hospital between Monday and Wednesday and on Friday.
Thirteen services are open on a Thursday night and 21 and 13 on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said he welcomed the new after hours services opening but was dismayed that it came at the cost of the hospital clinic.
“You always welcome more services but not at the expense of an existing one,” he said.
“It’s a move in the wrong direction and ultimatley this has come from the NSW Health Department which is the responsibility of the minister.
“What this means is that more and more people will be turning up at the emergency department.”
Mr McDonald encouraged people to download the Healthdirect app and use the ‘find a health service’ section to check local practices open close by.
For after hours select ‘general practice’ then ‘refine’ and scroll to select ‘open now’ and bulk billing’, or visit swsphn.com.au
People can call the GP Helpline on 1800 022 222 for medical advice and support.