Healthdirect Australia


Healthdirect Australia is a national public health information service in Australia. Originally known as the National Health Call Centre Network, Healthdirect Australia offers access to free health helplines as well as online health information and advice.

History

In February 2006, the Council of Australian Governments signed a Heads of Agreement to establish the National Health Call Centre Network. The NHCCN commenced delivering services in July 2007, with its core service operating under a single national name, healthdirect Australia, and national phone number - 1800 022 222.
In December 2012, the NHCCN changed its trading name to Healthdirect Australia, reflecting the organisation’s evolution from procuring and managing telephone triage services to offering multiple services with integrated telephone and online channels. This was followed in November 2015 by the change of the registered name to Healthdirect Australia Limited. After a review of after-hours primary health care in July 2015, Healthdirect Australia began to operate locally tailored after-hours services and new GP advice and support lines.

Services

Healthdirect Australia's services include a helpline available 24 hours a day, an after-hours general practitioner helpline, the healthdirect website, an app for mobile devices, and a symptom checker. The Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service includes a telephone helpline and a website, providing support to families of children aged up to 5 years. Healthdirect services also include the National Health Services Directory, Video Call service and the Carer Gateway for carers to access information and support by phone.
In September 2019, healthdirect and The George Institute for Global Health launched a free online Risk Checker, an online evaluation tool to help Australian consumers check their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease.