The after hours GP helpline that was initially thought to have been axed by the federal government in the May budget is set for a return.

The helpline was first introduced by the Labor government in 2011 as a free, national service that was intended in part to relieve after hours pressure on regional and rural GPs as well as to provide medical advice to patients unable to see their regular GP.

Callers to the helpline were triaged by a nurse who then referred the patient on to a GP if appropriate. The service was fully funded by the federal government and was managed by Healthdirect Australia on its behalf, with the service delivered by Medibank Health Solutions.