All of Deniliquin’s GP clinics will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period, but health advocates have assured the community that medical services will still be available.
The Deniliquin Local Health Advisory Committee shared GP closure periods with the community earlier this week, but said doctors will remain in the community to tend to patients.
Doctors will still be servicing the hospital wards and emergency department.
Deniliquin LHAC member Lourene Liebenberg said the district community also has access to the Murrumbidgee After-Hours GP service for free.
The service operates from 6pm to 10pm on week nights, and midday to 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
“You will be able to ring through to a nurse, who will triage you by asking relevant questions in relation to your sickness, injury or symptoms,” Mrs Liebenberg said.
“Once triaged, you can expect to have your telehealth with a GP within the hour.
“There are still people out there who do not know about this service despite all our promotional efforts.
“This after hours GP Telehealth service is free, easy to use , can do scripts and much more.
“It is open to anyone in our community, whether you have a regular GP or not.”
Another option is the 24/7 healthdirect service.
You cna use the online symptom checker process or call 1800 022 222.
Like with the After-Hours GP service, your call will be asnwered by a nurse who will triage you and give you advice on the steps to take next.
Mrs Liebenberg said people can also present to the emergency department, but she warned they may not be seen straight away.
People are seen in an order based on the severity of their illness or complaint, not the time they arrived.
In an emergency, you should call 000.
Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network is also encouraging people to prepare for closures of other health services over the festive period.
It recommends checking your regular medications to ensure you have enough to last through the holidays.
It’s also helpful to have basic first aid supplies and key health contacts on hand for you and your family.