Extended hours in general practice in selected LGAs
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SEMPHN is pleased to announce that 11 general practices across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Frankston, Casey, Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula and Greater Dandenong will be extending their opening hours to provide face-to-face on-site services in the after hours period.
SEMPHN's December 2023 Health Needs Assessment highlighted that limited access to after hours primary care may lead to an increase in non-urgent emergency department visits, causing overcrowding and higher health system expenses. After hours primary care is accessible and effective primary health care for people whose health condition cannot wait for treatment until regular primary health care services are next available.
After hours period for this activity is defined as:
- Thursday and Friday after 6pm
- Saturday after 12pm
- Sundays and public holidays
The successful general practices are:
- St Mary Medical Centre
- Pakenham Medical Clinic
- Stud Road Medical Centre
- Hastings Family Medical Centre
- Duff Street Medical Centre
- Trident Medical Centre
- Baxter Medical & Dental
- Keysborough Superclinic
- Our Medical Home Cranbourne (allied health only)
- Seaford Beach Family Clinic
- St Germain Superclinic (since Nov 2024)
Selected practices have recruited allied health professionals and/or registered nurse/s to support the delivery of services in the after hours period:
- St Mary Medical Centre
- Pakenham Medical Clinic
- Stud Road Medical Centre
- Keysborough Superclinic
- Our Medical Cranbourne
- Seaford Beach Family Clinic
This program is funded from 17 November 2025 until 30 June 2026.
Please note, this program will conclude on 30 June 2026 in the context of a significantly expanded Commonwealth Medicare urgent care system, which provides alternative pathways for after-hours care.
A range of alternative services are now available to support access to after-hours care, including 1800MEDICARE, which provides free 24/7 health advice from registered nurses, and Medicare Urgent Care Clinics for urgent, non-life-threatening conditions.
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