About Us
Chevron After Hours Medical Service (est 1981)
Dr Laurence Kelly
Dr Laurence Kelly is the Medical Director of Chevron After Hours. Dr Kelly graduated from the University of Queensland in 1977. He worked at the Gold Coast Hospital for four years and established Chevron After Hours Medical Service in December 1981.
Dr Kelly has been involved as a GP representative with various groups including the Quality in General Practice group and is currently a member of the recently formed ‘After Hours Doctors Chapter’ of the RACGP.
He was also responsible from 1984 till 1998 for organising and participating in the continuous resident medical cover of The Southport Private (formerly Allamanda Private Hospital) 214-bed hospital, including ICU/ CCU), and 9 years as Medical Director of its 24/7 GP accident and emergency department. He also organised resident medical cover at Palm Beach Currumbin Hospital (72 beds) for 7 years between 1990 and 1997.
After Hours Doctors Services Accreditation
The service was initially approved by the AMA after meeting the ‘Rules of Accreditation’ guidelines and it has operated since without any interruption of service. In 1992, the service was a founding member of the National Association of Medical Deputising Services and its group undertook a process of self-accreditation that year. In 2002, the service was accredited by Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL). The services were re-accredited in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and again in 2020.
90%-95% of patients are seen in dedicated after hours clinics and the balance is home visits. The service currently operates two after hours only clinics at Southport After Hours Doctor and Palm Beach After Hour Doctor. The primary aim is to provide after hours GP services on nights, weekends and public holidays, every day of the year (on average 118 hours per week).
Reliable Home Visit Doctors across Gold Coast
This after hours service in conjunction with your local General Practitioner offers continuous and reliable access to medical services for all patients of the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales, at all times of the day and night. This service is also a valuable tool in relieving the pressures on our already overburdened Public Hospital Emergency Departments.
Not all patients will qualify for a home visit. Our service availability is subject to careful triage and evaluation as regulated by the Department of Health and in line with our AMDS Guideline.
If we are unable to supply home visits to patients, patients are encouraged to attend the After Hours Clinics (located at Southport and Palm Beach) or their local Hospital.
Costs
While this practice is bulk billing for eligible patient’s, there are some potential costs associated with being referred to other service providers. We encourage patients to discuss with their practitioners any potential costs, and to contact individual companies or providers to enquire about their billing policies.
This may include:
- Pathology
- Radiology
- Pharmaceutical
- Specialist Consults
Enquiries
All inquiries from anywhere in the Gold Coast region can be made by telephoning (07) 5532 8666.
