Health Matters Medical Centre

TELEPHONE CALLS

Telephone calls are disruptive to the consultation process and contribute to delays in appointment schedule. Only in the case of  an emergency will a phone call be accepted. Office staff have been trained to assist patients with their enquiries and are able to communicate your needs to the doctor concerned.

SICK CERTIFICATES

A sick certificate is a legal document . The date of the commencement of the illness is the day you consult your doctor and as such, we encourage you to see a doctor on the day you require the certificate. Sick certificates cannot be back dated but the doctor concerned may issue a certificate of support if there is a clinical evidence of illness.

TEST RESULTS

Reception staff are not permitted to give out results. Your doctor will inform you at the time of ordering your test, as to how results will be issued.

REFERRALS

Referrals for new problems will be made after consultation with the doctor, who will then refer you to the appropriate specialist.

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS

Each doctor has his/her own policy regarding repeat scripts. In most situations the patients is required to see the doctor for repeat scripts as it is considered that not to do so is medically unsafe. In special circumstances, a doctor may decide to issue a repeat script, for which there is a $7.00 fee. We request that 24 hours notice is given.

RECALLS

This practice has a reminder system for preventative activities such as Pap smears, Flu vaccinations, diabetes checks, asthma reviews etc. This means you may be sent a reminder for such activities. Please inform the staff if you do NOT wish to be on the reminder system.

INFECTION CONTROL

All needles, syringes and instruments are either disposable or undergo the sterilization process in accordance with the National Standards Guidelines.

BEHAVIOUR/NOISE

We ask all patients to keep noise and unruly behaviour to a minimum to consider the comfort of other patients. Children should be kept under constant supervision by the carer and the practice will not take any responsibility should any injury from rough play occur. Please turn off all mobile phones.

PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Your medical records and consultations within the practice are kept strictly confidential. Your personal health information is only assessed by authorized staff and will not be released without your written consent. During the accreditation process, medical records are randomly selected for viewing by a GP for quality assurance purposes. If you do not wish your records to be accessed please inform the doctors.