FAQ

Ample parking is available onsite or alternatively, there is plenty of street parking in the near vicinity.

In general, it is suggested that in the interests of good health care, you make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss your health issues. However, if you need to speak to your doctor by phone, the Reception staff will take your message and indicate when the doctor will be able to return your call.

Appointments are required for repeat prescriptions. This policy enables us to provide quality care, as your doctor can check your ongoing need for the medication; that the dose is still right for you, and that you are not experiencing any side effects. We encourage patients who are on regular medication to check their need for repeat prescriptions at their scheduled check up appointments. Of course, we understand that circumstances sometimes arise that result in an unforeseen need for a prescription. If this occurs in between your regular appointments, you will be offered a brief ‘Prescription Only’ appointment.

Appointments are also required for referrals to specialists. This is a Medicare requirement. In general, specialist referrals last for 12 months. If you are required to see your specialist for a review, please allow yourself enough time to check with the specialist’s rooms that your referral is still valid, and to make an appointment with your GP to obtain another if required. Please note that referrals cannot be backdated.

If your doctor requests Pathology or Radiology tests, they will indicate the timeframe when results might be expected.

Please call the surgery to receive these results. Our Reception staff will be able to tell you if your doctor wishes to see you to discuss the results, or if no further action is required. Reception staff do not have access to the actual test results and cannot give you information over and above the message left for you by your doctor. You may receive an SMS via Hotdoc directing you to a link and to book a non urgent recall appointment.

Results are also available after 7 days (or 30 days for skin lesions) on your My Health Record.

Home visits are available for regular patients of the practice, within certain criteria. Wherever possible however, we suggest you attend the surgery where we have more extensive facilities to assess and assist you

Dulwich Family Practice operates a computerised medical records and management system. Access to medical records is restricted to clinicians, and our system is protected by appropriate security systems.

Access to notes can be provided according to the principles set out in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. A fee may be charged, depending on circumstances.

Please note that Privacy legislation states that information regarding people aged 16 years and above cannot be given to others, including parents without a legal authority or the patient’s consent.

A copy of the Dulwich Family Practice Privacy Policy may be obtained from Reception on request.

Dulwich Family Practice is a private practice, along with the majority of Australian general practices. Our fees are in line with most other practices in the area. Details of the current fee schedule are available from Reception on request. Most consultations include a gap fee in addition to the Medicare schedule fee. If you are experiencing financial hardship, we encourage you to discuss this with your doctor. Such information will of course be treated confidentially.

Special services such as surgical excisions, plastering, and suturing incur an additional cost to cover the cost of consumables, and additional time required.

Payment in full is requested on the day of your appointment. We send accounts to Medicare electronically. Medicare will then put your rebate into your nominated bank account within 24 hours. Please note, Medicare no longer issues rebates by cheque, however, the option to take your account to a Medicare office in person to collect your rebate remains.

A reduced gap is charged for pension and concession card holders.

Third party accounts (e.g. WorkCover, Motor Vehicle accidents) are the responsibility of the patient. Payment is requested on the day of service; reimbursement may then be obtained from the relevant authority.

Due to the lack of Government financial support only 12% of newly trained doctors are choosing to go into general practice a statistic that is of great concern for its future.

Weekend appointments will attract a small ($10) surcharge for all consultations.

Please call our friendly Reception team on 8139 2444 or book online to make an appointment.

We endeavour to ensure you see your usual doctor at all visits, however, when this is not possible, any of our doctors will be happy to see you. Our fully computerised medical notes ensure continuity of care.

A standard appointment is 15 minutes.

Longer appointments are available if you have several or complex issues to discuss. A longer appointment is generally required for your first appointment, and for other services e.g. pap smears, GP management plans, mental health plans, and minor procedures.

For emergencies call 000.

We utilise the services of Home Doctor Service, a GP deputising service, to provide urgent after hours care. Their phone number is 8130 3333. They will notify your usual doctor of their visit the following day.

Calls to our practice phone number, 8139 2444, after hours will be given the option of being diverted directly to our Medical Locum service, or leaving a message. Staff at Dulwich Family Practice will attend to any messages left when the practice next opens.

Dulwich Family Practice welcomes your feedback on any aspect of our service. Please address correspondence to

The Practice Manager
Dulwich Family Practice
62 Dulwich Avenue
Dulwich, SA 5065