Privacy Statement
This practice is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of our patients’ personal health information. Patient’s medical records are 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.
All staff members and other contractors (for example cleaning staff) are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement binding them both during their employment and thereafter.
Practice Consulting Fees
Billing is at the discretion of the individual doctor.
We request full payment at the time of a standard consultation, which is $77.05 for private patients; this would leave the private patient with a $40.00 out-of-pocket gap.
Medicare Easyclaim is available. This allows instant refunds from Medicare to your Cheque or Savings account using our integrated EFTPOS machine.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: FEES as at 1st July,2017
Summary of the change for patients who are routinely Bulk Billed:
• Once a year only, you will NOT be bulk billed – all patients including Health Care/Pension Card Holders and children under the age of 16.
• This will occur ONLY at the first appointment you have after 1st July
• The rest of the year, YOU WILL BE BULK BILLED AS USUAL (this is at Dr's discretion)
The current out of pocket fee for a non-bulk billed consultation is $45.00 but discounted to $40.00 for full payment on the day.
Again, we apologise for any inconvenience this unavoidable change may have made. We encourage you to talk to you local Member of Parliament about how it may affect you.
Please note our billing policy for DVA and non-card holders has not changed.
Veterans Affairs patients are bulk billed. Pensioners and Health Care Card Holders pay $40.00 out of pocket for the first consultation of the financial year, but then bulk billed for all following consultations.
If a patient is having genuine difficulty meeting the cost of his/her consultation, they can speak to the doctor or practice manager.
Payments can be made by cash, major credit cards and EFTPOS.
All surgical procedures performed at the Creswick and Clunes Medical Centres will attract a $35.00 theatre fee for patients who are usually bulk billed and $65.00 theatre fee for private patients. The balance of the account will be covered by Medicare.
Test Results...
To obtain test results it is recommended to make a follow up appointment with your Doctor. If this is not viable our friendly reception or nursing staff may be able to give out non-sensitive results. Your Doctor will contact you directly regarding Urgent Results.
Should you require a ‘repeat script’ you may attend the Practice at 9am & 1.30pm and the Duty Dr will see you for a brief appointment. This appointment will be BULK BILLED. If you are unable to attend the Practice at these times, a script can be ordered through our Reception Staff. This will incur a $10.00 fee and can take 2-3 days.
REPEAT SCRIPTS CAN ONLY BE GIVEN AT THESE TIMES IF YOU HAVE:
• SEEN THE DOCTOR IN THE LAST
3 MONTHS• THE SCRIPT IS NOT AN AUTHORITY
SCRIPT• WE HAVE PRESCRIBED THE MEDICATION
PREVIOUSLYThese may only be obtained upon consultation with a doctor.
SMS Reminders for upcoming Appointments are sent by this practice. Please reply YES if you are attending your appointment or NO if the appointment is no longer required. Alternatively you may ring us to confirm your appointment.
This practice has a reminder system for important health needs (Pap Smears, Health Assessments etc). This means you will be sent a letter to remind you to make an appointment for your area of need.
New patients attending our practice for the first time may need to request their past medical record from their previous GP. These forms are available from Reception.
Routine childhood immunisations are available at the surgery with the consultation being fully covered by Medicare. A range of adult immunisations including travel immunisations are also available upon request.
Childhood immunisation details are forwarded to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) by a designated staff member. ACIR notifies the practice when immunisations are missing and these will be followed up by the practice.
Phone Calls...
In an Emergency (eg. Heart attack, severe asthma etc) Please phone 000
Our doctors are available by telephone for our patients. Urgent calls will be taken at any time when practical.
Alternatively, patients may leave a message with our reception staff and the Doctor will return their call when time allows, or may request an appointment be made where appropriate.
Patient Feedback / Complaints...
If you have any concerns please feel free to discuss them with your Doctor or with reception staff. Feedback forms are available in both waiting rooms and at Reception. We believe that problems are best dealt with within the practice and you will find us approachable and keen to discuss any issues.
If you are unhappy with the way your complaint is handled, you may contact:
Health Services Commissioner
Level 26, 570 Bourke Street
Melbourne 3000
Phone: 1300 582 113
Appointments...
Our surgery runs on an appointment system. Appointments are made in 15 minute intervals. Longer consultations may be required if you have more than one medical problem, if you have paperwork to be completed or if you need a full medical examination. Please let our reception staff know if you require a longer appointment. Whilst the doctors do their best to run on time, there may be occasions due to emergencies when this is not possible. You are welcome to telephone the surgery before your appointment to check if the doctor is running on time.
Each day there will be a duty doctor available for patients with Urgent Problems. The Duty Doctor will deal with any pressing problems then refer you back to your own GP.