Health professionals across regional New South Wales are being encouraged to support awareness of 1800MEDICARE, a free national service that connects people to trusted health advice and the right care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1800MEDICARE offers access to registered nurses by phone (1800 633 422), alongside a website and app that provides symptom checking, medicines information and health service navigation.
When someone contacts 1800MEDICARE, a registered nurse assesses their symptoms and provides advice on the next step. Depending on the person’s needs and location, this may include self-care at home, referral to a GP, pharmacy, Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or other local health service, or transfer to emergency care if required. The service is free and available to anyone in Australia.
The 1800MEDICARE website and app also give users access to trusted health information, a symptom checker, medicines information, and digital tools including electronic prescriptions and Active Script List. Eligible callers may also be assessed for a call back from a 1800MEDICARE GP. For an electronic prescription, a current Medicare card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs card or Individual Healthcare Identifier is required.
When 1800MEDICARE may help
- A patient is unsure whether they need medical attention for a non-emergency health concern.
- Someone needs after-hours advice and cannot access their usual care team.
- A person needs help finding the right local service, including primary care or urgent care options.
Supporting regional practice
For health professionals in Western and Far West NSW, 1800MEDICARE can support safer navigation of non-emergency health concerns, especially outside usual business hours or where local access is limited. It is intended to complement, not replace, existing care relationships by guiding people to the most appropriate service and helping reduce avoidable pressure on emergency departments.
Health professionals are encouraged to become familiar with the service and share information about 1800MEDICARE with patients and communities who may benefit, particularly people in rural and remote areas, those without a regular GP, and those needing support after hours.
For more information, visit the 1800MEDICARE website.
