Practice Policies
Assessments for Over 75s
We are pleased to offer a comprehensive annual health review for patients aged over 75 years (or 55 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients). The Health Assessment is an opportunity to explore areas of health that may not be covered during routine medical care. Specifically the assessment looks at:
- Physical ability (how well you manage daily tasks)
- Social Support (what friends, relatives and other supports you have)
- Psychological wellbeing (how you are coping)
Health Assessments focus on preventative care - solving problems before they happen, and can identify things that could be done to help the patient live independently in their own home for as long as possible.
Health Assessments are done in two parts:
- Firstly a practice nurse will perform a comprehensive interview, either at the surgery or in your home, which takes about one hour
- Subsequently you attend your normal doctor for a medical checkup and completion of the assessment.
AMC is pleased to bulk-bill this service so there is no cost to you. Speak to your doctor or one of our nurses if you would like a Health Assessment.
Autonomy
If is the policy of AMC that all doctors have complete autonomy in clinical decision making, in whom they refer patients to, and to which pathology and diagnostic imaging services they refer.
Childhood Immunisations
Visits solely for scheduled childhood immunisations will be bulk-billed.
Documents and Forms
Sometimes a third party will ask you to have forms filled out by your doctor. Examples of these include:- Immunisation certificates, Department of Social Security Reviews, school camp asthma plans etc. Please make an appointment to see your doctor for these. In certain circumstances, your doctor may agree to complete work for you without your attendance. A.M.A. fees will apply to these services.
Feedback and Complaints
We are always keen to receive feedback about any of our services. Regular surveys are conducted in our waiting room, so occasionally you may be asked to complete one of these. If there are other matters you wish to raise with the practice, you may write to the Practice Manager. If you need to take the matter further, you may write to the Health Services Commissioner, Level 30, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000. Phone: 8601 5200, Fax: 8601 5219.
Home Visits
Home visits may be available to regular patients of the Clinic. Please call before 10am if you require a visit. Fees will be charged at significantly lower rates than AMA recommended fees. If a doctor is not available, our locum service can be utilised after hours who will provide a report for your local doctor.
Prescriptions
Normally an appointment will be made to see a doctor for repeat medication. In certain circumstances, your doctor may be prepared to write a prescription without your attendance. There is a nominal charge for this. The phone request should be made before noon, and we will endeavour to have the prescription ready the following evening.
Privacy
Your privacy has always been a high priority at AMC. We take great care of private information about you that is held in our records, and we comply with both the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Privacy Act 1998. If you would like a copy of our Privacy Policy, please speak to our receptionist.
Repeat Referrals
Consultations are generally required solely for repeat referrals.
Reminder System
To improve continuity of care, we offer a reminder service. If, for some reason you do not wish to use this service, please notify us. While we make every effort to send reminder letters, we must stress that it is your responsibility to return for further assessment or check-ups if your doctor has indicated this is necessary.
Results of Investigations
For medico-legal reasons, patients are asked to make an appointment for results of investigations. Results of investigations will not be given to you over the telephone by nursing or reception staff or by doctors other than the one who ordered the test.
Telephone Calls to Your Doctor
If you phone the Clinic requesting to speak to your doctor, you may be asked to leave a number on which you can be contacted. Most doctors return phone calls at the end of their session (either during their lunch break or at the end of the day). If the matter is urgent, either your doctor, another doctor or the practice nurse will be able to take your call immediately.
Please understand that in many instances, the doctor or nurse will be unable to provide advice over the telephone. AMC is very conscious of the risk of providing incorrect advice over the phone, and wherever possible, patients are encouraged to attend the clinic in person.