What HerDoc cannot treat online
When should I not use HerDoc?
Use urgent care, not HerDoc, for emergencies or symptoms that need immediate examination. Call 000 or go to an emergency department for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening or dangerous symptoms, or if you feel unsafe.
Emergencies need emergency care
HerDoc is not an emergency service. Chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, severe bleeding, severe pain, fainting, suicidal thoughts with immediate danger, or risk of harm to yourself or others should not wait for routine telehealth.
Call 000 or go to an emergency department if symptoms are severe, sudden, rapidly worsening or dangerous.
- Chest pain
- Stroke signs
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Severe bleeding or severe pain
- Fainting or collapse
- Immediate danger or risk of harm
Some concerns need in-person care
Some concerns need a physical examination, observations, urgent local treatment or closer monitoring than routine telehealth can provide.
If that becomes clear during a consult, the GP can guide you to the next service to use.
- Symptoms needing immediate examination
- Severe infection signs
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- Rapidly spreading rash or swelling
Practical requests are doctor-led
You can raise practical requests such as prescriptions, certificates, referrals or tests with a GP. HerDoc does not provide automatic prescriptions, certificates, referrals, tests, treatment or a controlled medicine request pathway.
These requests depend on the consult and the doctor’s assessment.
- No automatic prescribing
- No automatic certificates
- No guaranteed referrals or tests
- No controlled medicine request pathway
What happens when online care is not enough
If online care is not enough, the GP may recommend urgent care, in-person care, follow-up, testing, monitoring or another pathway.
A clear redirection can still be helpful because it helps you avoid delaying the right care.
- Urgent care guidance
- In-person care guidance
- Follow-up advice
- Another safer pathway
When telehealth may not be suitable
- Emergencies
- Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
- Symptoms needing immediate physical examination
- Controlled medicine requests
- Immediate mental health crisis
When to seek urgent care
Call 000 or go to an emergency department for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening or dangerous symptoms.
- Chest pain
- Stroke signs
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Severe bleeding
- Severe pain
- Fainting or collapse
- Suicidal thoughts with immediate danger
- Risk of harm to yourself or others
Want to know when HerDoc launches?
HerDoc is preparing to launch and is not taking appointments yet. Join the waiting list for booking availability updates.
Related pages
FAQs
Can HerDoc handle emergencies?
No. Call 000 or go to an emergency department for emergencies or dangerous symptoms.
What if online care is not enough?
The GP may recommend urgent care, in-person care, follow-up, testing or another safer pathway.
Are controlled medicines available through HerDoc?
HerDoc does not provide a controlled medicine request pathway through routine telehealth.
Are prescriptions or certificates automatic?
No. Prescriptions, certificates, referrals, tests and treatment decisions depend on the treating doctor's assessment.