Policies
Fees and billing arrangements:
Fees are payable at the time of consultation by cash and plastic(except AMEX). The AMA Fee structure, forms the basis of our billing policy and is displayed in the reception area of the surgery. If you have any difficulty in paying our fees, please discuss it with us.
The GPs at this practice bulk bill pensioners and Health Care Card holders and children under the age of 16. Veterans may sign the service voucher.
Getting the results of any test or procedure:
Your doctor will advise when they expect the results to arrive at the practice. Make an appointment to see your doctor to find out your results and ask what they mean for your care.
Reminder System:
Our practice is committed to preventive care. Your doctor will seek your permission to be included on our reminder system. We may issue you with a reminder notice from time to time offering you preventive health services appropriate to your care. If you do not wish to be part of this system please let your doctor or reception know.
Our practice participates in State and National Recall and Reminder Systems, such as the Bowel Cancer Screening Program and The NSW Pap Smear Register.
Management of your Personal Health Information:
Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff.
We abide by the ten National Privacy Principles available at http://www.oaic.gov.au/
This practice has a no smoking policy.
Your rights:
If you have a problem we would like to hear about it. Please feel free to talk to your doctor or receptionist. You may prefer to write to us or use our suggestion box. We take your concerns, suggestions and complaints seriously. Members of public may make a notification to Australian health provider regulation (AHPRA) http://www.ahpra.gov.au about the conduct, health or performance of a practitioner.
Communication Policy:
Whilst not encouraged, our practice allows patients an opportunity to obtain advice or information related to their care by electronic means, but only where the general practitioner determines that a face-to-face consultation is unnecessary and that communication by electronic means is suitable. Our practice will only provide information that is of a general, non-urgent nature and will not initiate electronic communication (other than SMS appointment reminders) with patients. Any electronic communication received from patients is also used as a method to verify the contact details we have recorded on file are correct and up-to-date.
Communication with patients via electronic means is conducted with appropriate regard to privacy.
Patients of our practice are able to access a member of our medical or clinical team by telephone to discuss their clinical care. When telephone communication is received, the urgency and nature of the call is gathered to determine if the call will be transferred immediately or if a message will be taken for the call to be returned. In non-urgent situations, patient calls should not interrupt consultations with other patients. Our practice team members are aware of each practitioner’s policy on accepting and returning telephone calls.