INNOVATIVE SERVICE BRINGS the doctor to you

If your local or visiting across the Surf Coast this summer and you or a loved one falls ill, the Surf Coast Home Doctor (SCHD) is an accredited innovative GP service that brings the doctor to you.

“We have found that a home-based GP service is advantageous to both the patient and the GP. It enables the patient to not have to leave the house when they are feeling at their worst,” SCHD founder Doctor Caroline Taylor-Walker said.

“It also ensures patients aren’t sitting in GP clinics for long periods waiting for the doctor whilst worrying about being exposed to further illnesses.

“We visit patients, be that at home, work, hotel, nursing home or place of holiday. We visit for any normal GP related issue.”

Dr Taylor-Walker said the problem does not have to be an emergency, and like any GP practice most of their patients are regulars.

“We have become the family doctor, seeing all members of the family which we love. The GP coming to you is amazing and loved by community members,” she said.

“Children especially love our visits, they look forward to us coming and wait for us at the door.”

Dr Taylor-Walker runs SCHD alongside Doctor Natasha Nogueira, and said they wanted the Surf Coast community to know they have this convenient service at thier fingertips.

“It’s great for families with children (avoiding car and waiting room dramas), those without transport or too sick to travel, elderly without cars or bedbound or disabled people,” she said.

“We can do everything – suturing, immunisations, infections, chronic diseases, management plans, medication requests. We can also access a clinic room should it be required for pap smears or IUD insertions or bigger procedures.”

As the first and only home visiting GP practice in Australia to be accredited, Dr Taylor-Walker said visits are $60 for any number of people seen at the one visit and $40 for concession card and valid Medicare card holders.

“Patients can call for an appointment or book online. They can also make online requests for repeat scripts or referral letters, we will also be launching video consults early this year.”

For more information and to book phone 0478 957 890 or visit surfcoasthomedoctor.com.au.