Local GP Access model
Local GP Access Model is an evolution of the Phase 1 Primary Care Access program, which was delivered via North Coast Health Connect, a 24/7 nurse triage service. The Local GP Access model is being trialled across the North Coast to improve access to same-day, unplanned care, particularly in communities without an Urgent Care Clinic (UCC).
Authorised referrers, including community pharmacists, Mid North Coast Virtual Care Service, Tweed Urgent Care Service and paramedics can book directly into quarantined general practice appointments using approved booking platforms.
Participating general practices set aside appointments for people with low-acuity, urgent needs who: may not have a regular GP, or cannot get a timely appointment elsewhere.
Led by Healthy North Coast, this national demonstrator project seeks to:
- Reduce avoidable emergency department presentations
- Improve access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time
- Support care continuity and clinical decision-making at a local level
- Strengthen integration between general practice and other primary care providers
This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative, community-based approach to urgent primary care, backed by digital infrastructure and funding to support participating practices and referral partners.
The Primary Care Access program including the Local GP access initiative is being evaluated by The George Institute.
Important service update
From 1 July 2025, calls to North Coast Health Connect will be answered by Healthdirect nurses as part of the transition to the NSW Health Single Front Door initiative. This change supports a more streamlined system, connecting patients to the right care, at the right time, through a single national access point.
We would like to sincerely thank all participating general practices and pharmacies for your partnership over the past three years. Together, we supported more than 25,000 people across the North Coast to access timely, appropriate care.
As Healthdirect takes over triage and advice, Healthy North Coast will continue to build on this foundation through the Local GP Access model, which will enable local clinicians to directly book patients into same-day, low-acuity GP appointments.
What is the Local GP Access model?
Unlike North Coast Health Connect, where triage nurses made bookings, Local GP Access enables authorised local clinicians such as pharmacists, allied health providers, and paramedics to book patients directly into quarantined same-day appointments via HotDoc or HealthEngine.
These appointments are reserved for low-acuity, unplanned care needs, helping ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
How it works
Reserved same-day unplanned care appointments was first piloted with 23 general practices under the North Coast Health Connect, and this approach is now being expanded to up to 50 practices with the new Local GP Access initiative.
Authorised referrers, including community pharmacists, Mid North Coast Virtual Care Service, Tweed Urgent Care Service and paramedics can book directly into quarantined general practice appointments using approved booking platforms.
Participating general practices set aside appointments for people with low-acuity, urgent needs who:
- may not have a regular GP, or
- cannot get a timely appointment elsewhere.
Program Aims
Led by Healthy North Coast, this national demonstrator project seeks to:
- reduce avoidable emergency department presentations
- improve access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time
- support care continuity and clinical decision-making at a local level
- strengthen integration between general practice and other primary care providers
17 practices are continuing from Phase 1 (North Coast Health Connect) and additional practices are being recruited through an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process.
In 2025–26, Healthy North Coast aims to onboard up to 50 general practices across the region, focusing on areas without a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
What funding or incentives will be available under Local GP Access Program?
- Participating general practices receive a blended payment model.
- Participating pharmacies are incentivised for appropriately referring patients for urgent, same-day care.
The blended payment model is designed to balance equity, flexibility, and performance. It recognises the additional effort and resourcing required to deliver unplanned, same-day care while targeting funding to communities with the greatest access needs.
Practices retain flexibility in how many appointments they commit to, with funding scaled accordingly. Payments support both the infrastructure and clinical time required to participate in the program but are not intended to replace existing MBS revenue.
Minimum requirements
- Located within the Healthy North Coast region
- Able to offer same-day, face-to-face GP care
- Currently use (or willing to use) HealthEngine or HotDoc
willing to accept bookings from authorised referrers - Signed up to LUMOS (or willing to sign up)
- Hold required insurances (Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, Workers Compensation if applicable)
Onboarding will be staged to ensure capacity and equitable coverage.
Learn more about the LUMOS program and view sign up form.
How do I apply?
Expressions of interest to participate in the Local GP Access Program are currently closed.
Please speak to your Primary Care Regional Manager for more information.
Expressions of Interest to participate in the Local GP Access Program are currently closed.
All submissions will be assessed in accordance with the program’s eligibility criteria. Onboarding will be prioritised for general practices located in areas of identified high need and in communities that do not have access to a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
Applicants will be notified of the assessment outcome and advised of any subsequent requirements. Where necessary, additional information may be requested to support the assessment process. Please allow up to three weeks for the completion of the review.
How will clinical governance, patient safety, and care continuity be managed under Local GP Access?
Clinical governance under the Local GP Access model is a shared responsibility between participating providers and Healthy North Coast to ensure patient safety, quality, and continuity of care.
Healthy North Coast will provide program-level governance, including monitoring of referral patterns, documentation standards, and regular reporting through the HNC clinical governance framework to support safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
General Practices are responsible for clinical care provided to referred patients in line with their existing accreditation and regulatory obligations. This includes ensuring appropriate follow-up and continuity of care where required.
Pharmacies are responsible for ensuring referrals are clinically appropriate, based on their scope of practice, professional standards, and regulatory frameworks. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia will provide clinical governance guidance and oversight for participating pharmacists.
Referrals must relate to acute, low-acuity, same-day care needs (within a 24-hour window).
What presentations are not appropriate for Local GP Access?
The program is for urgent, low-acuity, same-day care. It does not cover:
- routine prescriptions
- patients who can safely see their regular GP in time
- routine follow-ups or care plans
- emergencies (refer to ED or call an ambulance)
- long-term condition management
If you have questions about funding or your contract, please contact:
Ally Pope, Regional Manager, Healthy North Coast
- Email apope@hnc.org.au
- Mobile 0428 235 495
Chris Braithwaite, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
What is the long-term plan for the Local GP Access model?
The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable, scalable, and community-led model for urgent primary care, one that improves timely access for patients, supports general practices and pharmacies, and reduces avoidable demand on hospital emergency departments.
Healthy North Coast has received in-principle support from the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care to pilot the Local GP Access model as a national demonstrator project over the next three years. As part of this work, Healthy North Coast is collaborating with Healthdirect and key stakeholders to develop integrated booking functionality that will enable community members to access same-day GP appointments for unplanned care through two pathways:
- Healthdirect’s national “single digital front door”
- Referral from a trusted local clinician, such as a pharmacist or allied health professional
Participating general practices will continue to make same-day, unplanned care appointments accessible through either pathway. This dual-access approach ensures patients can receive the right care, at the right time whether referred locally or navigating the system independently via Healthdirect.
