thread: Home visiting GP service

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    1,975

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    OP, if you are able to leave the house, several hospitals in Melbourne have an after hours GP clinic within the hospital itself. There are several locum services in Melbourne if you weren't happy with the response from the one you called.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    in the ning nang nong
    12,163

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    I've used them lots of times (10+).

    The wait has varied from 40mins to 4+ hours.

    They can normally give you an idea of the wait.

    Even when it's been a loooong wait its still been worth it for us over a hospital trip, because you can wait hours there anyway - and catch something! Being at home, in bed, with privacy and a tepid bath and tea and ABC 2 is much better than being around people who are one or more of: sick, injured, scared, upset, angry, vomiting, contagious, substance affected, sick of uncomfortable chairs, etc.

    The only downside is one time we had a rubbish Dr so we had to go to our normal GP the next day anyway.

    But we've otherwise been very happy.

    And always bulk billed.

  3. #3

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    Its for DS2... What if he needs ABs? Will the GP have them or will I just have to sort that out in the morning?

    Nickle I could... But I don't want to, he's asleep right now...

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    1,975

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    No worries The locum will not have AB's but he will be able to give you a script to fill in the morning. Not sure which part of Melbourne you are in, but there are a few late night chemists around if you need to fill a script tonight. I think the latest ones close at midnight. The locum may be able to give IM AB's (an injection), but if the patient is sick enough to require IM the locum will probably suggest you head to A&E instead. Is the patient your DS??

    ETA, Just saw it's for your DS2 - he's very young to be requiring a locum so late at night! I mean that if he is sick enough that you need a doctor tonight and can't wait until morning, perhaps he does need to go to A&E? Is he ok?

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    in the ning nang nong
    12,163

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    The times we've needed ABs seriously they've given us one dose, with a script for the rest.

    Times we haven't been so bad, they've just given a script to fill in the morning.

    One time with DS1 they put us onto a triage Dr on the phone to go through in detail what was going on to assess whether we really needed to go in, rather than waiting. We'd already called Nurse On Call by then and were happy with our choice, but they still did their due diligence.

    They do a good job.

  6. #6

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    Nickle thanks for your concern GP has been, it's just a virus... I feel a bit silly... But he basically has either cried, screamed or slept all day... And the sleeping bit was only 2x 20mins... He went down (I thought ) at 6.30, by 7.15 he was awake again and inconsolable. 9pm I rang nurse on call, they put me thru to the Dr, who said give him another dose of nurofen and if he still won't settle, ring the after hours GP or go into A&E.

    He didn't settle, so we called the GP. By not settle, I mean screaming, unhappy, pulling his ear, trying to drink water but crying, clearly in pain, even booby not working its magic.

    He's so sad, upset and in pain. But just a virus

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    poor baby. hope he was ok overnight.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    May 2010
    Land of Dreams
    1,201

    Re: Home visiting GP service

    I've used it many many times. Longest I've waited is around 2.5 hours. They were great though