MPHN partners with Healthdirect to improve access to after-hours care

Building stronger healthcare partnerships in the Murrumbidgee: (L–R) MPHN CEO Mr Stewart Gordon and MLHD CE Ms Jill Ludford with Mr Jerry Bacich and Dr Darran Foo of Healthdirect Australia. 

Virtual healthcare is playing an increasingly key role in how care is delivered across rural and regional communities. To help clarify how it works in practice, and address common misconceptions, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) invited representatives from Healthdirect Australia to speak at the recent Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) Forum in Wagga Wagga. 

The forum, co-hosted with Murrumbidgee Local Health District, brought together nearly 100 LHAC members from across the region. 

Healthdirect’s Jerry Bacich and Dr Darran Foo presented on the Healthdirect Helpline, the Virtual GP Helpline and other virtual care pathways now available for free in the Murrumbidgee region. During the forum, Healthdirect’s Medical Director, Darran Foo, responded to LHAC members using real-life scenarios, to show how virtual care can safely guide people to the right support, often without needing to visit an emergency department. 

(L-R): Jamie Spencer, General Manager Wagga Wagga Base Hospital; Dr Elmein Bruce, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Clinical Director HiTH and Ambulatory Care; Professor Len Bruce, MLHD Executive Director of Medical Services; Dr Darran Foo, Healthdirect Australia Medical Director; Andrew Heap, MPHN Senior Lead, Design and Engagement; Jerry Bacich, Healthdirect Australia Head of Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement.

Head of Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement Jerry Bacich said the visit offered a valuable chance to hear directly from the community and share practical information. 

“We were able to speak with LHAC members about what virtual healthcare really looks like, connecting with a real person, like a triage nurse or GP, via phone or video, not a chatbot,” Mr Bacich said. “These community connections foster greater awareness of Healthdirect’s growing role in helping more rural and regional residents access virtual care, 24 hours a day.” 

The visit also included meetings with local health leaders and highlighted Healthdirect’s role in the NSW Single Front Door initiative, which aims to streamline access to care across the state. 

MPHN CEO Stewart Gordon said collaboration is key to improving care across the region. 

“It’s through partnerships like this that we can reimagine how care is delivered in our region,” Mr Gordon said. “Working together with Healthdirect and MLHD, we’re building a more connected, responsive health system for our communities.” 

One example is the Wagga Wagga GP-based Urgent Care Service, launched earlier this year and funded by the Ministry of Health. The service offers around 100 bulk-billed weekday appointments across seven general practices for urgent, non-life-threatening care. Patients can access the service by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, where a nurse will assess their condition and book an appointment if needed. 

Mr Bacich said familiarity and trust are key to encouraging use of virtual care services. 

“As people become more familiar with Healthdirect and see how it works in real situations, their confidence grows,” Mr Bacich said. “That trust helps people feel more comfortable using the service when they need it.” 

Healthdirect services are available 24/7 and include nurse triage, virtual GP consultations, symptom checkers, and service finders. These tools help Australians access the right care at the right time. 

For more information, visit healthdirect.gov.au