Townsville's afterhours primary care service is well utilised and highly valued by patients seeking healthcare outside of normal hours.
And it's having a positive impact on the community, according to Townsville GP Superclinic Medical Director Dr Evan Nicholls.
The afterhours primary care service gives patients access to increased same-day appointments, while also improving the region's capacity to see a GP after hours and reducing the burden on the Townsville University Hospital's emergency department (ED).
Dr Nicholls said there were occasions where patients might not have had access to a general practitioner (GP) out of hours if the service wasn't available.
For example, a Townsville woman who received afterhours care at the clinic for a rare urinary tract infection may have otherwise had to visit the ED or face a different outcome if care hadn't been available at the time.
"The woman was suffering with Multi-Drug Resistant Urinary Tract Infection (MDRUTI) and may not have received the care and treatment at the time she needed it without this service," Dr Nicholls said.
"Another woman with an infection in her elbow bursa (olecranon bursitis) and a man with a fishing lure in his leg were also able to access care after hours."
The Townsville GP Superclinic has delivered the comprehensive and integrated afterhours primary care service, which is funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), since September 2023.
Dr Nicholls said patients appreciated the afterhours appointment times when they couldn't get in to see their regular GP.
"Patients appreciate that we are on hand to help and are respectful of the appointment times we have available," he said.
"Our staff are proud that they can work together to offer a meaningful service to our city."
The Townsville afterhours primary care service operates five days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
