Patient Information

This practice is committed to providing comprehensive care to all patients. The doctors are trained and experienced in the broad range of problems dealt with in general medical practice. We believe your health is best managed by continuous care from the same source, rather than different problems to
different places. All our doctors will refer you for specialist opinions, investigations and treatment when necessary.

All patients have the right to informed consent in their treatment and actively participate in decisions about their healthcare.

 

SURGERY HOURS:

MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00AM TO 6.00PM
SATURDAY 10:00AM – 4:00PM
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 10:00AM – 4:00PM

Services available: General check-ups, Women’s health, Men’s Health, Family planning, Asthma, Allergy, Diabetes, Childhood Immunisation, Work cover, TAC, Preventative medicine, Diabetic Educator, Pathology Collection Onsite, Physiotherapy, Skin Care, Hair Loss, Nutritionist, Podiatry, Dietician

APPOINTMENTS:

Telehealth Bulk Billing requirements – must have a valid Medicare and have attended the clinic Face to Face in the last 12 months, not valid for new patients. Please ring 03 9828 7520 for an appointment or book online via our website www.kingstonmedicalcentre.com. Emergencies will always be given priority. Patients will be given an appointment of your choice whether it be telehealth or face to face where possible. Please inform the receptionist at the time of making your appointment whether a Longer Appointment is required and whether more than one person is to be seen. If you or a family member requires an interpreter service, we can organise this for you. Please let us know in advance when you make an appointment. The Doctor’s at Kingston Medical Centre are happy to accommodate patients who present to the clinic without an appointment (walkins) though there may be a waiting time unless deemed urgent will be see in between appointments. Alternative modes of communication may be used by our patients with a disability. The National Relay Service (NRS) for patients that are deaf or the translation and Interpreter service.

(TIS) Doctors Priority Line (1300 131 450) for patients from a not English-speaking background

AFTER HOURS CARE:

This practice provides 24-hour care for patients. In the event of an emergency our Doctors are on call between the hours of 6.30am and 8am Monday to Friday and can be contacted through our after hour service (Private Billing will apply). For urgent medical attention and free telephone advice please call 04 785 78 555.

HOME VISITS 

Home visits are available on request from regular patients whose condition prevents them form attending the surgery. Home visit are bulk billed by our doctor if current Medicare card is provided.

TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM 

 

Our practice’s telecommunication system facilitates patient access to the practice services and aims to adequately meet the needs of patients and team members. The auditory privacy and confidentiality need of patients have been considered when locating our telephones and facilities for electronic communication. Our telephone system provides sufficient inward and outward call capacity and has the functionality for electronic communication (either email or facsimile). The practice has 3 lines dedicated for telephone calls and 2 lines for electronic communication. Doctors do not take telephone calls whilst seeing patients. Our receptionist staff will take a message, inform the Doctor and your call will be returned by the Doctor at the earliest possible time. Patients can send enquiries or contact us via fax on 03 9828 7521 or by emailing the Practice Manager at contact@kingstonmedicalcentre.com

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

Our practice is mindful that even if patients have provided electronic contact details, they may not be proficient in communicating via electronic means and patient consent needs to be obtained before engaging in electronic communication. Electronic communication includes telehealth, email, secure messaging, facsimile and Short Message Service (SMS). Communication with patients via electronic means is conducted with appropriate regard to privacy. Before obtaining and documenting the patient’s consent, patients are fully informed through information contained ensures patients are aware of the risks associated with electronic communication in that the information could be intercepted or read by someone other than the intended recipient. When the clinic receives an email from a patient, staff members will respond at the earliest possible time. Staff are permitted to make bookings and or alter appointments via email. Once consent has been obtained and treating Doctors have given approval; staff are permitted to send referrals to patients and other healthcare providers via email.

FEES AND BILLING ARRANGEMENTS:

Kingston Medical Centre is a BULK BILLED CLINIC. However, if your Medicare card has expired or you fail to produce a valid card, you will be required to pay cash on the day. ACCOUNTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN. Should you require emergency assistance between the hours of 6.30am and 8am Monday to Friday.

Private fees: Standard Consultation: $70.00 Eftpos
Work cover fees: Private: $75.00
Physiotherapist: EPC Bulk Billed, Private Initial $85 Review $85
Home visits: Bulk billed with current Medicare card. Private: $50.00
After hours: Bulk billed with a current Medicare card.

 

Bulk billing available for all eligible patients with valid medicate card.

 

WORK COVER AND TAC CLAIMS:

Our receptionist staff will ask you to complete a work cover form. Payment for consultations will be billed $75 and paid by you until we have authority from your employer to bill them direct. Please note there is an excess of $599 for TAC claims to be paid by you. Once this has been reached, we are then able to bill TAC direct.

RECALLS/RESULTS:

Should patients have abnormal results, our clinic has a recall system where staff calls patients to arrange an appointment to see their Doctor. Recalls are attended to daily to ensure the best follow up care for our patients.

REMINDER SYSTEM:

The Surgery is committed to preventative care. We will contact you from time to time reminding you about check-ups and preventative health services appropriate to you. We are fully computerized and actively involved in a recall and reminder system of our patients. If you do not wish to be included in this system, please speak with your Doctor.

DISEASE REGISTERS:

This practice submits patient data to various disease registers (cervical, breast and bowel screening etc) for preventative health. Please let us know if you do not wish to participate.

 

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 to ensure that this information is only available to authorized members of staff. Patients can obtain a copy of our privacy policy at reception. Our practice regularly engages with local health services, such as specialists, allied health and hospitals, this is all done with your consent.

Patient complaints/feedback: If you have a problem, we would like to hear about it. Please feel free to talk to the Doctor or receptionist. We take concerns, suggestions and complaints seriously. We have developed and documented a privacy policy according to the current privacy laws. If you would like information about this policy or if you need to access your health record, please ask your Doctor or reception staff. Alternatively, please contact Health Services Commissioner, Complaints and Information: Telephone: 1300 582 113 

Fax: (61 03) 9032 3111 Email: hsc@health.vic.gov.au Web: hcc.vic.gov.au

Members of the public may make a notification to AHPRA about the conduct,
health or performance of a practitioner or the health of a student. Practitioners, employers and education providers are all mandated by law to report notifiable conduct relating to a registered practitioner or student to AHPRA. Australian Health practitioner regulation agency (AHPRA) http://www.ahpra.gov.au/. It is the role of this practice to provide a caring environment that is safe, welcoming and peaceful for all patients. We respect the rights of individuals and will attempt at all times to treat patients promptly and courteously. Kingston Plaza Medical Centre requests that patients, in turn, treat staff and other patients with respect, refraining from shouting, swearing or engaging in other inappropriate behaviour which may cause harm or distress to themselves or others.