Our Frequently asked Questions
We are a bulk bulling family practice. Walk-ins are recommended and appointments are also welcome. Patients can choose the doctor they want to see or request the first available. If the chosen doctor is not available, the next free doctor will be allocated. Emergency cases will have first priority. People with appointments also get priority. Longer consultations are available if needed: please inform the receptionist if you require extra time.
General practice consultation, routine check ups, workers compensation, minor surgery, antenatal share care, pap smears (when available), pregnancy tests, medical termination counselling, childhood and general vaccinations, skin checks, baby clinic, child health, diabetes testing, pathology collection, women’s and men’s health, chronic disease management plans, health assessments, indigenous health chronic disease management, insertion and removal implant, iron fusions, liquid nitrogen freezing therapy, , travel injections including accredited yellow fever vaccination, medical examinations for pre-employment and drivers’ licences, work related injuries, telephone consultation
Specialist services: Audiology, Physiotherapy, Pathology, Dietitian, Psychologists, Skin Checks are available by appointment.
Most of our services are Bulk Billed under Medicare. However services which are not covered by Medicare will attract a private fee Our standard consultation fee is $75 (normal weekday hours) or $85 (weekends and public holidays) Please refer to our Practice Fees Consultation Poster at front reception desk, along the front foyer and entrance corridor. The fees for medical examination and pre-employments may vary. The receptionist will advise you of the fees beforehand. Payment is required before the consultation.
Patients are encouraged to return to the surgery to discuss their results (pathology, radiology etc) particularly if the treating doctor has requested them to do so. Even if initial tests are normal further testing or treatment may still be required. However, should there be any abnormality with the results; the receptionists will contact the patient via telephone or registered mail depending on the urgency. Please promptly inform the reception staff if you change your phone number or address to facilitate a more efficient recall system. Our practice uses Automed technology to communicate with patient. All patients of the practice will automatically be on our national/state/local/recall system for pathology results and health promotion, if you do not want to be on any of these reminder systems please let your doctor know so that we can remove you from the specified systems.
It is important that you see your regular doctor for your scripts and referrals. However, subject to certain terms and conditions, you may be able to organise your scripts or referral over the phone. If your doctor does write a script or referral for you without a consultation, then there may be a charge of $20.00 for these services and a delay of 48 hours.
In most cases, it is preferred that patients return to discuss test results with the doctor face to face to protect patient confidentiality and to ensure that the results are explained properly. Please call the surgery after three days to see if your results are back and to make an appointment. Please note some results will be given over the phone but only by pre-arrangement with your usual doctor.
For urgent after hours the Medical Centre is covered by The Sydney Medical Service Co-operative Limited Phone No. (02) 8724 6300 or 1300 Home GP. In an emergency, please call 000 or go to nearest public hospital St. George Public Hospital, Gray Street, Kogarah or St. George GP After- Hours Service located at St. George Private Hospital, Ground Floor, 1 South Street, Kogarah Phone No. (02) 9553 0795.
If you or your family require an interpreter, we can organise this for you. Please let us know prior to your appointment booking. Alternative, you can contact the translating and Interpreting Services on 131 450 directly. If you are hearing impaired and require an AUSLAN interpreter, we can also organise for you.
Blood collection services are available between 8:00am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday, Saturday from 8:00am – 1.00pm. Patients do not need to make appointment for this service as long as you have a valid pathology form with you on arrival. Please keep in mind the greatest demand for pathology services is during the first two hours of each day and there may be a waiting time during this period.
Parking is centrally located in Westfield. There is 3-hour free parking period. The nearest entry to the Medical Centre is through P 2 Green Level Car Park.
This is for general enquiries only; Practice does not communicate with patient via email regards to their health or their family member’s health matter. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL THESE DETAILS TO THE PRACTICE.
Home visits are only available for regular patients within a 5km distance of the practice in exceptional cases only and are subject to the doctor’s availability. Please call early in the day so a visit can be organised. A $180.00 fee applies. Home visit times are normally in between Doctors’ sessions during the quite time of the day or after Doctors’ Surgery sessions at the end of the day.
Doctors on the practice may be contacted during normal surgery hours. If the doctor is within a patient a message will be taken and you will be advised by the receptionist when it is likely that a doctor will return your call. Your call will be put through to the doctor in the event of an emergency. Please note that phone consultations are only bulk-billed for results only and for existing patients that have visited us in the last 12 months . For all other patients
A private fee of $75.00 during normal hours and $85 .00 for after hours.
All medical records are confidential and are electronically kept in our Practice’s medical software and are secured by passwords on our computer system. Your personal information may be disclosed to other health professionals such as specialists for your continued quality of care. You may access your medical records with your doctor as a consultation or you may request a copy where an administration fee of $70.00 will apply. All original medical records belong to the practice.
We are constantly striving to provide our patients with the best possible care and attention. If you have any problems, suggestions or complaints, we like to hear them. Please feel free to talk to the doctors or practice manager. There is a suggestion box for your feedback if you prefer to write to us. All concerns, suggestions and complaints are taken seriously. If you feel that you need to take the matter further and wish to discuss it outside the surgery there are several options available eg. Health Care Complaint Commission website: http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au ,or by mail: Locked bag 18 Strawberry Hills, 2012.
Phone No.(02) 9219 7444 Freecall: 1800 043 159
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 000
Sydney Medical Service: 8724 6300
St. George GP After -Hours Service: 9553 0795
Poisons Information: 13 1126
Quitline (13 QUIT) 13 7848
Sane (Mental Illness) Helpline 1800 187 263