Western Australian Deputising Medical Service (Inc.) is a non-profit co-operative of Family and General Practitioners who supervise and operate the service to assist the unexpected after-hours medical needs of their patients in their own homes. WADEMS is recognised and has been duly accredited to AGPAL standards.
The Deputising Doctors are all very carefully chosen experienced Doctors who work fully or part time on behalf of WADEMS.
The Doctors operate from strategically placed vehicles and are contacted via mobile phone in order to give as prompt attention as possible.
Urgent calls are given priority whilst non urgent calls are attended to in order of receipt.
Most non-urgent calls are completed within one hour, but even if we take a little longer getting to reach you, waiting in the comfort of your own home or bed surely beats a long wait in the Casualty Department.
In some cases we may need to contact your own Doctor or arrange emergency ambulance attendance.
WADEMS is a private company and it is not funded by the government.
Private patient fees will approximate but never exceed those considered fair and reasonable by the Australian Medical Association for the highly trained Professional your attending Doctor is.
Most Pensioner or genuine disadvantaged persons will be "bulk billed" through Medicare with no direct cost to them.
After hours care is more expensive, but your unexpected after hours emergency care usually costs far less than a call by a tradesperson.
This is usually not needed as the Deputising Doctor aims to deal with the immediate problem and then return you to the care of your own Doctor the next day. If, however, records are needed, we can usually contact your own Doctor or Hospital at short notice.
A report on your treatment is given to you and another is forwarded to your Doctor's practice.
This is particularly important for workers compensation, Motor Vehicle accidents or long term illnesses, and is a good reason to use your own Doctors after hours service.
As well as routine care for unexpected illness and non-emergency care, your Deputising Doctor is well equipped to attend to lacerations and most carry asthma nebulisers.
Referral to hospital may sometimes be needed, but assessment by a WADEMS Doctor will often save many wasted hours in the Casualty Department.
After hours care is designed for unexpected illness or injury so it is better to see your Doctor during the day when possible.
If, however, you or your family become ill, suffer injury or a deterioration in your condition out of hours, WADEMS exists solely for your care as an extension of your own Doctor's practice.
Do not hesitate to seek our assistance if you feel you need medical care after hours, and thus ensure continuity of quality care.
If your Doctor's practice is a member of WADEMS, you simply need to make a telephone call to the practice. Your call will be directed to WADEMS, or a recorded message will give you our number. Our telephone operators will quickly arrange a call for you as required.
Telephone advice cannot be given, but if you do not require a call, they will advise you of the most appropriate action to take.
Our experienced staff man the phone 24 hours a day and can advise you of the opening and closing times of your General Practitioner's Surgery.
"In Hours" (8am - 8pm)
During surgery hours all requests for the Doctor to visit your home will be arranged by your surgery.
Legislation prevents us from taking your call direct during surgery hours.
"After Hours" (8pm - 8am)
Simply telephone your Doctor's surgery and listen to the recording (one of the practice Doctors may be
on duty), then follow instructions of the recorded message.
We are committed to handling your complaint in a courteous and efficient manner. If you have a complaint please call Administration on (08) 9321 9133. If you are not satisfied with the resolution you may contact:
The Medical Director - Dr Gordon Kendall
PO Box 258
West Perth WA 6872
Phone: (08) 9321 9133
Fax: (08) 9481 0943
email: wadems@wadems.org.au
The Office of Medical Review
St Martins Tower
44 St George Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9323 0600
Medical Board of WA
GPO Box 2754
Perth WA 6001
Phone: (08) 9481 1011