General Practice Patient Information

• Standard Consultations will go for approximately 10 minutes and you will be able to discuss 1-2 issues only.
• The following appointments may require more time and therefore will NOT be available for booking online.
  • Appointments to discuss more than 2 issues
  • Appointments for new patients
  • Childhood Immunisations
  • Yellow Fever vaccines
  • Skin Checks
  • Pap Smears
  • Forms/Paperwork- Centrelink, Drivers Licence
  • Medical(private/commercial etc.
  • All Procedures eg.Iron infusion removal; Implanon insertion and removal
  • WorkCover -including certificates, case conference etc.
  • Insurance and Pre-employment Medical
• Only 1 patient can be seen per standard consultation. Please book separate appointments for each family member.
• New patients are unable to use the online booking system for Dr Kumar and Dr Chandra. Please call reception for an appointment.

Please ensure to book a long appointment
You are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment. You may book online or register in person.
Your photo ID and Medicare card(if applicable) will need to presented to reception staff for identification.
Your completed Health engine registration form will need to signed to complete your registration.

UNABLE TO ATTEND APPOINTMENT(BOOKED/CONFIRMED)
Please cancel any appointment that you cannot attend, either online or by phone.
Two non-attendances will cause future online bookings to be blocked.
SMS reminder is sent for each appointment. Confirmation is required by 8 am on the day of the appointment.
If you do not confirm your attendance for the appointment, the practice will cancel your appointment.
If you have confirmed your appointment and did not attend your consultation a Did Not Attend (DNA) Fee will apply.

If you have confirmed your appointment and did not attend your consultation a Did Not Attend (DNA) Fee will apply.

Our practice can now provide telehealth appointments to existing patients only that has been seen in the practice for a face-to-face appointment in the 12 months prior.

Please advise our staff when booking if you would like a telehealth appointment.

Medicare card holder will be bulk billed at this stage for consultation only.

Consultation Fee

Private fee schedule

• Standard appointment – $60
• Long appointment – $90
• Extended appointment – $140

Procedure Fee

• Implanon insertion $110 Rebate 32.05
• Implanon removal $ 140 Rebate 54.60
• Medical assessment-Commercial Drivers $120
• Iron infusion $130 (No rebate)

RECEIVING RESULTS
Please ensure that you book a follow up appointment to see the GP/doctor to find out the results of a test or procedure.
REQUEST TO UPLOAD RESULTS ON MY HEALTH RECORDS
This would be done following face to face discussion on relevant results with your doctor.

SCRIPTS AND REFERRALS
If you need a repeat of a script or a referral to a specialist, you will need an appointment with the doctor. This is to ensure that every aspect of your health is taken into account, and that you are getting the best possible health care.

Photo ID is required in order to collect any patient information from reception.
If a third party such as a friend or a family member comes in to collect something on your behalf please make sure you let our receptionists know the name of that person. This is to ensure we have been given your consent to release the information to that person in line with privacy regulations

An appointment is required in order for your GP/doctor to issue a medical certificate for medical conditions requiring time off work. Medical certificates cannot be backdated.

TRANSFER OF MEDICAL RECORDS
If you would like to have your medical records transferred to us from another medical centre please ask the receptionist and this will be organised for you. Please be aware that most medical centres charge a fee to transfer medical records to cover the cost of printing and postage.

Ponds Boulevard General Practice charges $40 per person(electronic records) to transfer your medical records to another practice excluding postage.

CONFIDENTIALITY
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 ensure that this information is only available to authorised staff members.

PRIVACY POLICY
Ponds Boulevard General Practice complies with the State and Federal Privacy laws. Any personal or health information we collect is kept securely and is not disclosed to a third party unless we have your permission, or unless the law requires it

Recalls and reminders are organised by the practice to maintain continuity of your health care and to ensure you receive the best medical management.

The recalls may be in a form of notification, such as SMS, phone call or a letter.

We may need to contact you for result notification, to ensure you have been appropriately medically managed.

Recall and Reminders can be booked for Appointments, Immunisations, Pap smears, Health Checks including Diabetes and Asthma Management Plans.

You may leave a brief message at the reception and you doctor will respond accordingly. You need to liaise with your family doctor if you are able to leave messages. You may have to seek consultation with your doctor if the matter is confidential.

Our GP/doctors have access to a telephone interpreter service. This needs to be booked in advance. Kindly advise reception when booking your appointment if this service is required.

The practice encourages medical research and may liaise with Research Institutions. The clinical notes may be used however no means of patient identification is used.

EMAILS
ALL email request will be attended to in three business days.
It is a Practice policy that no consultation or booking request will be conducted via email as we cannot guarantee confidentiality.
If you need to speak with a GP/doctor please call the practice and schedule an appointment.
Emailing correspondence of relevant documentation(referral, results etc ) will incur a fee of $20 to cover for administration .

CHANGING PERSONAL DETAILS
Please inform our staff of any changes to your name, address, phone number, health care card, and pension or Medicare number. Valid documentation will be required.

COMPLAINTS
If you are unhappy or have a complaint regarding any aspect of your care, please discuss the matter with your GP/doctor or with our Practice Manager. If you feel that you are unable to speak to us directly, you may also contact the Health Care Complaints Commission on 1800 043 159.

FEEDBACK
Ponds Boulevard General Practice continuously looks for ways to improve our services to patients. If you have any concerns or suggestions for ways we could improve our services or facilities please contact our Practice Manager, Margaret, by email: admin@pondsgp.com.au

This is offered to existing patients as per Doctors Discretion for chronic or palliative medical management

This is provided by after hours deputising service.

Verbal or physical abusive behaviour to any team member will not be tolerated.
Police may be contacted if a team member feels threatened.