New After-Hours GP-led Telehealth Service for Our Region
As part of our commitment to improving access to primary health care, Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) recently contracted Intu HealthCare to deliver a regionwide free after-hours general practitioner (GP) telehealth service.
The telehealth service covers the entire western Victoria region and specifically targets locations with low access to after-hours services, supporting more equal access to services across the region, especially in rural and remote areas. The intention of this service is to complement general practice services by providing patients with an alternative option to urgent care centres and/or emergency departments, outside of their regular GP clinic hours, and in their own homes.
All residents across western Victoria are eligible to access the GP telehealth service during the specified after-hours periods – 6 to 10pm weeknights and 12 to 4pm Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Patients can access the after-hours service by calling 1800 468 800.
You can find a FAQs page about the new service here.
Free Family Violence Training
Our Family Violence Team has just put out another Expression of Interest for our A-LIVES Training and Support Package. This package aims to equip primary healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively support patients experiencing family violence.
This is now our third round of offering this training, and the feedback we’ve had from those who have completed it has been very positive, with many health professionals and practice staff saying that they’re now much more confident in their skills to recognise people who are experiencing family or domestic violence, have a conversation with them about their situation and also know how to best support them. We’re very proud of the training and the skills that it’s giving practices in western Victoria, so I’d encourage you to put in your Expression of Interest.
You can learn more about the training here.
Craig Wilding, WVPHN CEO
30 October 2024