After Hours, In Home GP Visits Now Available

Tunstall have formed a business relationship with Family Care Medical Services and are now able to offer clients in South East Queensland, West and North Sydney the option of after hours in-home GP visits. Incorporating an optional after hours in-home visit into our current call response protocols will provide clients with a level of service and healthcare solution never seen before in our industry.

About Family Care Medical Service           

    
Family Care Medical Services is Australia's largest medical deputising service. Established for over 32 years, Family Care Medical Services covers the geographic areas South East Queensland, Western Sydney and Northern Sydney and provides an important service to GPs, their patients and the community.

Family Care Medical Services is an Accredited Medical Deputising Service with accreditation by Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL). Family Care Medical Services is also a member for the National Association for Medical Deputising (NAMDS).                       

Client benefits:

• Option to request an after hours GP service
• No need for clients to wait in line at emergency departments for after hours medical treatment
• Deputising GPs carry medication starter packs to assist in early recovery
• A doctor visits the client in the comfort of their own home
• The client's GP will receive an electronic patient report from Family Care Medical Services
• Any Tunstall client who has a GP subscribing to Family Care Medical Services can be bulk billed if they are a pensioner, health care card holder, Veterans Affairs, Family Care Friendly Society members or for children under 16 years of age
• Delivery of a total healthcare solution
• Tunstall clients who use the GP service will receive 1 year free membership to the Family Care Friendly Society and 1 year free membership for a friend or family member
• Value add offering to the individual, the community and to retirement organisations in GP serviced areas.

How the Service works:

The client presses their pendant and speaks with the response operator. The client can request a GP visit. Tunstall Response will then arrange for a GP to attend. Once the GP has seen the client they will report all episodes of care to the patient's regular GP the next day via an electronic patient report. This patient report includes diagnoses, any treatments recommended, details fo medications and prescriptions provided as well as any investigations ordered. Clinical notes are also recorded in the patient;s chart for those in residential care ensuring continuity of care. The Family Care Medical Services medical referral assessors categorise patients into 7 triage categories ready for their home visit.

Home GP visiting times:

Monday - Friday from 6pm until 8am
Weekends from Saturday 12pm until 8am Monday
24hrs on public holidays

Bulk Billing:

Any Tunstall client who has a GP subscribing to Family Care Medical Services can be bulk billed if they are:

• Pensioners
• Health care card holders
• Veterans Affairs
• Family Care Friendly Society members
• Calling for a child under 16 years of age

Family Care Medical Services will advise if the client is eligible for bulk billing or if a visitation fee applies. The option of a GP home visit will allow patients that are housebound, residents of aged care facilities and those who are simply unable to get to a GP or emergency department, access to high quality medical care in the comfort and convenience of their own home during the after hours period.

Family Care Friendly Society

The Family Care Friendly Society is a not-for-profit organisation offering one and three year memberships to individuals and families. Family Care Friendly Society membership enable self-funded retirees or those who do not hold a concession card, access to bulk billed after hours in-home primary medical care. For more information or to join the Family Care Friendly Society click here.

Tunstall Response and Family Care Medical Services are committed to lead the way in assistive technology and healthcare solutions for the aged and vulnerable in our community.

Read more about Tunstall's After Hours GP service here.