Practice Policies

General information for our patients

Our practice is committed to providing comprehensive general practice care to all individuals and families in this community. We treat everyone with respect, care and compassion and make every effort to communicate our policies clearly. Please ask us about any specific concerns you may have.

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 we abide by State and Federal legislation on confidentiality of medical records. We now send our appointment reminders via SMS. Please let us know if you do not want to receive any reminders.

Indigenous patients are encouraged to advise their GP of their heritage to enable them to participate in the Indigenous Health Incentives Program.

APPOINTMENTS & CANCELLATIONS

Our standard appointments are 15 minutes and we require the following information:

Your name
Date of birth
Address
Medicare Number (if applicable)

Please tell us if you require a longer appointment for several problems or a complex problem, or if you have a special request like:

Insurance
Repeat prescription
Disability forms
Application For Employment Forms
Medical / Centrelink / Recreational medical examinations
Cervical screening test
Post Natal Baby Check

Should you need to cancel your appointment please notify us as soon as possible. The more notice we have, the more able we are to help someone else with an appointment time. A non-attendance fee of $30 will be charged if you fail to attend a standard appointment. If you booked a long appointment a $45 fee will apply. These fees will also apply if you cancel with less than 2 hours notice.

TELEPHONE CALLS

Our telephones are answered from 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. We try to keep interruptions of your consultation to a minimum:

Please state if the matter is URGENT.
We will return your call later if you leave your telephone number with the receptionist.

AFTER HOURS

Meroo St Family Practice provide after hours medical advice or consultation to our patients. If you require a consultation after hours call the surgery number 4421 4655 and a recorded message will advise who the on-call doctor is. Phone the number given to speak to the GP. A fee is applicable if an after hours consultation is required. Alternatively you can call the GP Helpline on 1800 022 222 or Shoalhaven Hospital on 4421 3111.

FEES

This practice is mixed billing. Current fees and rebates are listed at reception desk. Some consultations such as pre-employment medicals, commercial driving assessment, insurance forms are not rebatable by Medicare and incur a mixed fee plus GST. Please contact us for current rates.

PATHOLOGY

Blood and other pathology specimens can be taken at the Laverty collection centre adjacent to the surgery in the building at the end of the parking lot. You do not need to be a patient of this surgery to utilise this service.

PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS

If you require a repeat prescription, please make an appointment with your doctor. This will provide the best care for our patients so that the need for ongoing prescriptions can then be medically reviewed in person. Patients need to make an appointment for any prescription written without consultation.

REFERRALS TO SPECIALISTS

When requiring an initial or ongoing referral it is appropriate to see your Doctor. They can then assess your condition and its urgency. If necessary the referral can be written to the most appropriate specialist. The referral will include up-to-date information regarding your past history, current complaints and medications. Please note that we cannot backdate any referral as it is illegal. Patients need to make an appointment for any referral letter written without consultation (ongoing referral only).

MEDICAL CERTIFICATES

A doctor will need to examine you on the day you are requesting a medical certificate. If you wish to extend a medical certificate a consultation will also be required to reassess. Some local pharmacies can provide Medical Certificates for a small fee, contact your pharmacy for more information