When SMSG is closed and your concern is not a life-threatening emergency, there are three main options: call an after-hours home doctor service, speak to a nurse through Healthdirect, or wait until we open. This page covers what to do outside our opening hours for non-emergency situations. For emergencies, see our Emergency Information page.
Our three centres share weekday hours, and Earlwood also opens on Saturday morning. Outside these hours, the after-hours options below apply.
For non-emergency medical care outside our hours, call the National Home Doctor Service on 13 SICK (13 74 25).
The service arranges for a bulk-billed doctor to visit you at home in the evening, overnight, on weekends, or on public holidays. This is a genuine home visit, not a telephone consultation. SMSG has an arrangement with 13SICK to help ensure patients can access after-hours medical care when needed.
Home visits are for conditions that need medical attention but don't warrant an emergency department, such as:
The visiting doctor sends a report to your usual GP the next business day, so continuity of care is preserved. Call 13 SICK or visit homedoctor.com.au to arrange a visit.
For non-urgent health advice, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. This is a free, 24-hour phone service staffed by registered nurses, available every day of the year.
Healthdirect nurses can help you decide whether you need to see a doctor now, whether your symptoms can wait until we open, or whether you should attend an emergency department.
Healthdirect is not an emergency service. For emergencies, dial 000.
Call 13 SICK (13 74 25).
If it's life-threatening, dial 000 or attend the nearest emergency department. See our Emergency Information page for what constitutes an emergency and the nearest hospital to each of our centres.
If you've been seen by the National Home Doctor Service or spoken to Healthdirect, book a follow-up with your usual SMSG GP on the next business day. Continuity of care matters, and your usual GP has the full context of your history.
The visiting after-hours doctor sends a report to SMSG. If you were seen by Healthdirect only, mention it to your GP at your next appointment so it can be added to your file.
