Clinic Consults
- Full payment is expected at the time of your consult. Medicare can now refund the rebate instantly into a cheque or savings account provided that it is linked to an EFTPOS card. Please ask Receptionists for more information.
- Most consultations will be charged at $90.65, the rebate from Medicare is $38.20 to be paid at the time of the consult.
- For longer appointments you will usually be charged $128.95, the Medicare rebate is $73.95 to be paid at the time of the consult.
- If you need more than 40 minutes with the Doctor you will normally be charged $168.85 the Medicare rebate is $108.85 to be paid at the time of the consult.
- The gap will be reduced by $10 if you pay at the time of the consult. Gaps will also apply for any procedures undertaken in addition to your consult i.e. x-rays, ECG’s and spirometry.
- Please note that bulk billing is available for Pensioners, Veteran’s Affairs card holders and Centrelink Health Care Card holders and Children under 16 - (other than for after-hours and emergency consultations). YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR CARD ON THE DAY FOR VERIFICATION
Appointments
Please ring 85751 208 for an appointment
- We run an appointments system, but keep a few times open to fit in with urgent problems.
- Urgent medical problems will be dealt with promptly.
- Appointments are normally 15 minute intervals, so you can usually expect to spend 10 – 15 minutes with the doctor. This may change if there have been emergencies or if the surgery is very busy.
- If you feel you require a longer consultation, please discuss this with the receptionist when making appointments.
- You can phone the surgery before your appointment to check whether the surgery if running on time.
Test Results
- Your Doctor will advise when they expect the results will arrive.
- Patients will be advised that unless their test results are abnormal they will not be contacted by the Practice but are welcome to telephone our Nursing staff between the hours of 10 am -1 pm and 2-4 pm for their results.
- Pathology & imaging results are downloaded daily and reviewed by the Doctors. All results are actioned by the Doctors in the computer and these actions are carried out by the Nursing Staff.
After Hours Services
When the surgery is closed, one of the doctors is ‘on call’ for problems that need urgent medical attention. Any call to the surgery after hours will be answered by a recorded message advising our hours of operation and how to obtain medical care urgently. For urgent after hours care, call the Meningie & Districts Memorial Hospital on 85 752777 (or ring 000 if an emergency). The Hospital is located next door to the Coorong Medical Centre. A gap will be charged for all after-hours consults.
Interpreter Services
All patients who are not proficient in English are offered the use of an Interpreter Service. Telephone: 131 450. Please let us know when you make your appointment if you or your family member requires an interpreter.
Recalls
Our Practice has a computerised recall system. If you would like us to remind you about a follow-up appointment that the doctor has requested, please ask the doctor or one of our staff members to add a recall for you. We will then send you a letter when it is due.
Home Visits and Fees
Doctors will visit you at home if you are too ill to attend the Surgery but not ill enough to require an ambulance i.e.palliative care or chronic illness. Doctors will attend at a home visit within 5kms from the Surgery and the occasional farm visit on the way to Tintinara and Coonalpyn clinics.
Phoning your Doctor
Nurses in the practice may be contacted during normal opening hours. If the Nurse is with a patient, a message will be taken and the reception staff will advise you when it is likely that the Nurse will return your call. In an emergency your call will always be put through to a Nurse/GP. The Nurse will consult with the GP if needed.
The doctor will take urgent phone calls relating to you or your family’s health if the nurse cannot assist you, otherwise we encourage patients to make an appointment to see the doctor.
The doctor will take urgent phone calls relating to you or your family’s health if the nurse cannot assist you, otherwise we encourage patients to make an appointment to see the doctor.
Facilities for people with a disability
There is a ramp suitable for wheelchairs at the main entrance to the Surgery. Should you have any special needs, please discuss them with the receptionist or your doctor. The Medical Centre building caters for wheelchair bound patients with easy access and toilet facilities.
Teaching medical students
Patient feedback
From time to time, the Practice invites patients to complete a questionnaire on their view of the Practice and how it could be improved. These surveys are completely confidential and help us improve our services.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the care you receive from this Practice, we are keen to know about it. Please feel free to talk to your doctor or the Practice Manager about any problems you have with the service we provide, or put your comments in the ‘Suggestion Box’ in the waiting room.
We believe that problems are best dealt with within the Practice. Indeed, we want to know if you are concerned about any aspect of your services. However, if you feel there is a problem you wish to take up outside, you may prefer to contact the SA Government centre for handling complaints.
Medical Board of South Australia, 199 Ward Street, North Adelaide SA 5006. PO Box 791, North Adelaide SA 5006.
Phone: 8362 7811
Fax: 8362 7906
www.medicalboardsa.asn.au
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the care you receive from this Practice, we are keen to know about it. Please feel free to talk to your doctor or the Practice Manager about any problems you have with the service we provide, or put your comments in the ‘Suggestion Box’ in the waiting room.
We believe that problems are best dealt with within the Practice. Indeed, we want to know if you are concerned about any aspect of your services. However, if you feel there is a problem you wish to take up outside, you may prefer to contact the SA Government centre for handling complaints.
Medical Board of South Australia, 199 Ward Street, North Adelaide SA 5006. PO Box 791, North Adelaide SA 5006.
Phone: 8362 7811
Fax: 8362 7906
www.medicalboardsa.asn.au
Privacy Policy
At Coorong Medical Centre, we aim to provide you with the best possible care. We appreciate your co-operation and understand that information provided to us is highly personal and needs special care and protection. This practice is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the National Privacy Principles. This obligation rests not only with the doctors but all members of staff who have access to this information – all of whom have signed confidentiality agreements.
Collection of Information
Staff members will record the following information on your file:
Storage and disposal of information
Paper files are stored in a secure room. Only authorized personnel may access these files. Information is stored on our computer system which can only be accessed using a secure password. Obsolete information is shredded with your identity protected.
Disclosure of information
Your Doctor will provide details concerning yourself for an appointment that you may be referred. Copies of this letter may be sent to other Doctors involved in your care to ensure they are informed of your condition.
Your information may be released to other health providers if deemed to be in your best interest. Occasionally we are obliged by law to release details relating to statutory requirements of public health matters – this information is kept strictly confidential.
In all other circumstances your written consent is required before we disclose information to a third party. Upon your request, your records will readily be made directly available to any Doctor who needs them to provide a second opinion or establish your health status
Collection of Information
Staff members will record the following information on your file:
- Full name, date of birth, addresses and phone numbers (to allow correct identification of files, appointments and questions and to enable us to contact you when necessary).
- Medicare Number/Health Fund details (necessary for account purposes)
- Pensioner, Veterans Cards details (to enable you to claim appropriate concessions).
- Medical details (allergies, past history, medications).
- Full name and contact details for an emergency contact or Next of Kin.
Storage and disposal of information
Paper files are stored in a secure room. Only authorized personnel may access these files. Information is stored on our computer system which can only be accessed using a secure password. Obsolete information is shredded with your identity protected.
Disclosure of information
Your Doctor will provide details concerning yourself for an appointment that you may be referred. Copies of this letter may be sent to other Doctors involved in your care to ensure they are informed of your condition.
Your information may be released to other health providers if deemed to be in your best interest. Occasionally we are obliged by law to release details relating to statutory requirements of public health matters – this information is kept strictly confidential.
In all other circumstances your written consent is required before we disclose information to a third party. Upon your request, your records will readily be made directly available to any Doctor who needs them to provide a second opinion or establish your health status