Did you know that you can access bulk billed medical care after hours in the comfort of your own home? I became aware of National Home Doctor Service two years ago, and want to yell about it from the roof top to ensure every mum and dad”¦.no, actually EVERYONE in Australia knows about this fantastic service.

Here are the facts:

Who is National Home Doctor Service?

They are Australia’s largest network of home visiting doctors with more than 600 doctors working with them. More than 5,000 GPs refer their patients to National Home Doctor every night.

Where do their doctors come from?

The vast majority of the doctors working with National Home Doctor Service work in GP clinics and hospitals, and do home visits for the additional variety, income and experience.

What can National Home Doctor Service help with?

Around half of the patients they see are children under 10.

Common ailments the doctors see include:

Fevers
Gastro
Croup
Asthma
Bronchitis
Rashes

Each doctor carries a fully stocked doctor’s bag and can provide complementary starter packs of many common medications so treatment can begin straight away.

How do I access the service?

To book an after hours, bulk billed, doctor home visit, simply call 13 SICK (that’s 13 7425) anytime from 4pm Monday to Friday, 10am Saturdays, all day Sunday and public holidays.

Their doctors make house calls:

Monday Friday: From 6pm
Saturdays: Before 8am and after 12pm
Sundays and public holidays: All day

How long will it take for a doctor to arrive?

National Home Doctor Service sees the majority of patients (80%) within 2-3 hours of a booking being made.

What does it cost?

National Home Doctor Service bulk bills all patients with a Medicare card so the visit doesn’t leave you out of pocket. There is nothing to pay.

What areas do they service?

National Home Doctor Service currently services the following locations:

Sydney
Melbourne
Geelong
Shepparton
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
Ipswich
Toowoomba
Adelaide
Canberra

They are constantly expanding their coverage, so the best way to check to see if they service your area is to use the ‘suburb locator’ located on their home page (www.homedoctor.com.au).

So, why use National Home Doctor Service?

Even though your regular GP is the best person to manage you and your family’s health care, sometimes they’re not available or you can’t get to see them before they close.

Rather than sit for hours in a hospital emergency department for a non-emergency, it is far preferable to have an after hours doctor visit you or your sick child at home. So along with helping patients in need, after hours doctor home visits also reduce pressure on the hospital system. Importantly, after every home visit, National Home Doctor Service sends your regular GP a report so they’re kept informed.

So, rather than bundling a sick child into the car for a long wait in a hospital emergency department or trying to ride it out overnight, there is an alternative. Call National Home Doctor Service on 13SICK (that’s 13 7425) and book a bulk billed doctor home visit. You’ll be glad you did”¦..

Visit www.homedoctor.com.au to find out more.