Patient Records and your Privacy
In line with the National Privacy Principles - "Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this organisation to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff".
On your first Clinic or Home Visit you will be asked to complete a patient consent form, this form will ensure your health information is managed as you wish. Your consent will be kept on record and can be changed at any time by you.
All patient consultations and medical records are kept strictly confidential. Please be aware that our staff are unable to give test results to anyone other than the patient, or in the case of a minor, the parent, without the express permission of the patient. Staff are required to ascertain the identity of callers requesting patient information and may ask questions when you call.
Even information regarding patient appointments is confidential to the patient and cannot be divulged to anyone other than the patient without written authorisation. This limitation extends to friends, relatives and employers.
Tests and X-ray Results
The Doctors check test results each evening, a copy of your results is sent to your usual treating GP (if you have given consent for your health records to be shared). If you need to discuss your results or treatment and you are not able to contact your usual GP you will need to make an appointment to discuss the results of any tests in detail. This is the best way to make sure the Doctor has adequate time to deal with your concerns.
Pathology and X-ray results usually return via our computer system and wait in a holding file for the Doctor to check it. Once checked, a note is made available to our administration staff. Please be aware that the staff are not able to access the result itself, only the note left by the Doctor. Should the Doctor need to discuss the result with you he or she will leave a message for the staff to make an appointment for you.
Results will not be given over the phone.
Fees
Gawler GP Access After Hours will not Bulk Bill patients. There will be a consultation gap fees of $40.00 for all patients including Children, Pensioner's and Concessioner card holder's. Full fees will be payable on the day and the Medicare rebate amount will be credited to the patients bank account instantly..
For further details, please call our friendly reception team.
Telephone Communication
During consultation hours, doctors prefer not to receive phone calls for non-urgent matters. For routine matters please leave a message with the receptionists and your doctor will return your call at a later time. If the matter is complex, a consultation may be more appropriate.
Emails
For non-urgent, general inquiries you can email [email protected]
(Please note this email address is for general inquiries only, NOT for urgent inquiries or appointments).
Emailed medical information will be viewed by our practice manager and or reception team before being passed to the doctors. It is best to phone the practice on 08 8522 3877 if you would like to make an appointment or need a question answered quickly.
Change of Personal Details
Please keep our reception staff informed of any change to your name, address, phone number, health care card, pension or Medicare number.
Interpreter service
The doctors have access to a phone interpreter service. Please advise reception when booking your appointment if this service is required.
Feedback and Suggestions
From time to time we invites patients to complete questionnaires on their view of the service, either the Afterhours Clinic or Home Visit service. These questionnaires are completely confidential and help us to improve our services. Regardless of whether you are happy or unhappy about a service given we are keen to know. Feel free to discuss this with the Doctor, our reception team or Practice Manager, otherwise you can put your comments in the "Suggestion Box" at Reception. We believe that problems are best dealt with within the Practice. Should you wish to take the matter up externally contact Health Advice & Complaints Office Phone: 8226 8699
In line with the National Privacy Principles - "Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this organisation to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff".
On your first Clinic or Home Visit you will be asked to complete a patient consent form, this form will ensure your health information is managed as you wish. Your consent will be kept on record and can be changed at any time by you.
All patient consultations and medical records are kept strictly confidential. Please be aware that our staff are unable to give test results to anyone other than the patient, or in the case of a minor, the parent, without the express permission of the patient. Staff are required to ascertain the identity of callers requesting patient information and may ask questions when you call.
Even information regarding patient appointments is confidential to the patient and cannot be divulged to anyone other than the patient without written authorisation. This limitation extends to friends, relatives and employers.
Tests and X-ray Results
The Doctors check test results each evening, a copy of your results is sent to your usual treating GP (if you have given consent for your health records to be shared). If you need to discuss your results or treatment and you are not able to contact your usual GP you will need to make an appointment to discuss the results of any tests in detail. This is the best way to make sure the Doctor has adequate time to deal with your concerns.
Pathology and X-ray results usually return via our computer system and wait in a holding file for the Doctor to check it. Once checked, a note is made available to our administration staff. Please be aware that the staff are not able to access the result itself, only the note left by the Doctor. Should the Doctor need to discuss the result with you he or she will leave a message for the staff to make an appointment for you.
Results will not be given over the phone.
Fees
Gawler GP Access After Hours will not Bulk Bill patients. There will be a consultation gap fees of $40.00 for all patients including Children, Pensioner's and Concessioner card holder's. Full fees will be payable on the day and the Medicare rebate amount will be credited to the patients bank account instantly..
For further details, please call our friendly reception team.
Telephone Communication
During consultation hours, doctors prefer not to receive phone calls for non-urgent matters. For routine matters please leave a message with the receptionists and your doctor will return your call at a later time. If the matter is complex, a consultation may be more appropriate.
Emails
For non-urgent, general inquiries you can email [email protected]
(Please note this email address is for general inquiries only, NOT for urgent inquiries or appointments).
Emailed medical information will be viewed by our practice manager and or reception team before being passed to the doctors. It is best to phone the practice on 08 8522 3877 if you would like to make an appointment or need a question answered quickly.
Change of Personal Details
Please keep our reception staff informed of any change to your name, address, phone number, health care card, pension or Medicare number.
Interpreter service
The doctors have access to a phone interpreter service. Please advise reception when booking your appointment if this service is required.
Feedback and Suggestions
From time to time we invites patients to complete questionnaires on their view of the service, either the Afterhours Clinic or Home Visit service. These questionnaires are completely confidential and help us to improve our services. Regardless of whether you are happy or unhappy about a service given we are keen to know. Feel free to discuss this with the Doctor, our reception team or Practice Manager, otherwise you can put your comments in the "Suggestion Box" at Reception. We believe that problems are best dealt with within the Practice. Should you wish to take the matter up externally contact Health Advice & Complaints Office Phone: 8226 8699
AMDS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an AMDS?
AMDS stands for Approved Medical Deputising Service. Essentially an AMDS operates to provide afterhours care to patients on behalf of their regular in-hours GP.
What is the purpose of an AMDS?
The purpose of the AMDS Program is to offer non-VR GPs the opportunity to gain general practice experience in after-hours settings.
What do the new guidelines mean?
Under the updated guidelines, an AMDS arranges to perform deputised attendances to patients on behalf of their normal GP. An AMDS can extend the care available to a GP’s patients to cover the entirety of the after-hours period (6pm to 8am Weekdays, from noon on Saturday, and all day on Sunday and public holidays).
An AMDS is expected to meet and maintain minimum standards of conduct that are set out in the Program Guidelines to receive the privilege to employ non-VR GPs with MBS access. This includes adherence to restrictions on direct marketing of services and applying a triaging standard.
Can I get Scripts at an AMDS?
Yes, however the AMDS guidelines specifically state “deputising doctors will only provide prescriptions at the request of the patient’s regular GP. When a patient has run out and requires it before the next in-hours a deputising doctor may prescribe to prevent significant harm to the patient. No repeats will be issued. Doctors are reminded that pharmacists can provide a patient’s usual medication in an emergency, and then the usual GP can be seen for a repeat prescription.”
What services cannot be provided at an AMDS?
As we are not a regular treating practice we cannot provide ongoing care for patients.
This means certain services, particularly those that require follow up can’t be initiated by our doctors. This does include but is not limited to; scripts with repeats, specialist referrals, care plans, work cover claims, radiology and ultrasound referrals as well as some pathology requests. We recommend you speak with your usual treating practice if you require assistance with any ongoing care.
AMDS stands for Approved Medical Deputising Service. Essentially an AMDS operates to provide afterhours care to patients on behalf of their regular in-hours GP.
What is the purpose of an AMDS?
The purpose of the AMDS Program is to offer non-VR GPs the opportunity to gain general practice experience in after-hours settings.
What do the new guidelines mean?
Under the updated guidelines, an AMDS arranges to perform deputised attendances to patients on behalf of their normal GP. An AMDS can extend the care available to a GP’s patients to cover the entirety of the after-hours period (6pm to 8am Weekdays, from noon on Saturday, and all day on Sunday and public holidays).
An AMDS is expected to meet and maintain minimum standards of conduct that are set out in the Program Guidelines to receive the privilege to employ non-VR GPs with MBS access. This includes adherence to restrictions on direct marketing of services and applying a triaging standard.
Can I get Scripts at an AMDS?
Yes, however the AMDS guidelines specifically state “deputising doctors will only provide prescriptions at the request of the patient’s regular GP. When a patient has run out and requires it before the next in-hours a deputising doctor may prescribe to prevent significant harm to the patient. No repeats will be issued. Doctors are reminded that pharmacists can provide a patient’s usual medication in an emergency, and then the usual GP can be seen for a repeat prescription.”
What services cannot be provided at an AMDS?
As we are not a regular treating practice we cannot provide ongoing care for patients.
This means certain services, particularly those that require follow up can’t be initiated by our doctors. This does include but is not limited to; scripts with repeats, specialist referrals, care plans, work cover claims, radiology and ultrasound referrals as well as some pathology requests. We recommend you speak with your usual treating practice if you require assistance with any ongoing care.