At our practice, we offer both short and long appointment options to accommodate our patients' diverse healthcare needs.

Our short appointments are typically scheduled for 15 minutes and are ideal for minor health concerns, prescription refills, and follow-up appointments. These appointments are designed to be quick and efficient, while still providing high-quality care and attention to our patients.

Our long appointments, on the other hand, are typically scheduled for 30 minutes and are ideal for more complex or chronic health issues, preventive care, and diagnostic testing. These appointments allow our healthcare providers to spend more time with patients, address multiple concerns, and provide a more thorough evaluation.

We understand that every patient is unique and has different healthcare needs. That's why we offer both short and long appointment options to ensure that our patients receive the appropriate level of care and attention they need.

To schedule an appointment with us, simply give us a call or visit our website.

At our practice, we understand the importance of providing flexible and convenient healthcare options to our patients. That’s why we offer both telephone and telehealth appointments, in addition to in-person visits.

If you are unable to come into our clinic for an appointment, we offer telehealth appointments where you can connect with one of our healthcare providers remotely using a secure online platform. This is a great option for patients who live far away, have mobility issues, or have busy schedules.

We also offer telephone appointments for patients who prefer to speak with their healthcare provider over the phone. This is a quick and easy option for minor health concerns, prescription refills, and follow-up appointments for results.

To schedule a telehealth or telephone appointment, simply give us a call or visit our website to book online. Our team will provide you with all the information you need to access your appointment and ensure that you receive the same high-quality care as you would during an in-person visit.

At our practice, we are committed to providing accessible and convenient healthcare to all our patients. Contact us today to learn more about our telehealth and telephone appointment options.

Medicare rebates are only available if you have been seen in the clinic within the last 12 months.

The fees are same as normal appointments.

At our practice, we understand that unexpected health issues can arise, and it’s not always possible to plan for medical appointments. That's why we offer on-the-day appointments to ensure that our patients can receive timely and convenient care when they need it most.

If you require an urgent medical appointment, simply give us a call, and we will do our best to schedule you in for a same-day appointment with one of our healthcare providers. We prioritize urgent medical needs to ensure that our patients receive the
care and attention they need as quickly as possible.

On-the-day appointments are ideal for acute illnesses, minor injuries, and other urgent medical concerns. Our healthcare team is dedicated to providing timely and effective care to all our patients, regardless of the nature of their health issue.

To schedule an on-the-day appointment, give us a call as soon as possible, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Our team will provide you with all the information you need to prepare for your appointment and ensure that you receive the highest quality of care during your visit.

At our practice, we understand that medical emergencies and urgent healthcare needs can arise outside of regular business hours. That’s why we offer after-hours on-call services to ensure that our patients have access to medical care whenever they need it.

Our on-call healthcare providers are available outside of regular business hours to provide medical advice, answer questions, and address urgent medical concerns. If you have an urgent medical issue outside of regular business hours, simply call our practice, and you will be connected with our on-call healthcare provider.

Our after-hours on-call services are ideal for medical emergencies, severe symptoms, and other urgent medical concerns that cannot wait until regular business hours. Our healthcare team is dedicated to providing timely and effective care to all our patients, regardless of the time of day or night.

To access our after-hours on-call services, simply call our practice and follow the prompts to be connected with our on-call healthcare provider. Our team will provide you with all the information you need to receive the appropriate medical care and support you need outside of regular business hours.

If you’re looking for a new healthcare provider, we welcome you to our practice! At our clinic, we strive to provide exceptional care and support to all our patients, whether you are new to the area or just seeking a change.

Our experienced and compassionate healthcare team is committed to providing personalized care and attention to every patient we see. We offer a wide range of medical services, including preventive care, chronic disease management, diagnostic testing, and much more.

We understand that finding a new healthcare provider can be a daunting task, which is why we aim to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. When you schedule an appointment with us, we'll take the time to get to know you and your healthcare needs so we can provide the best possible care.

To schedule an appointment with us, simply give us a call or visit our website to book online. We look forward to meeting you and providing you with the high-quality care you deserve!

At our practice, we strive to provide our patients with timely and convenient access to medical care. We understand that waiting for medical appointments can be frustrating, and we work hard to minimize appointment waiting times as much as possible.

We make every effort to schedule appointments at times that are convenient for our patients, and we do our best to ensure that our healthcare providers run on schedule. However, there may be times when unforeseen circumstances arise that cause
appointment delays.

If you are concerned about appointment waiting times or have a specific scheduling requirement, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. We are committed to providing our patients with a positive healthcare experience, and we value your time and feedback.

To schedule an appointment at our practice, simply give us a call or visit our website to book online. Our team will work with you to find an appointment time that works best for your schedule, and we will keep you informed of any potential delays or changes to your appointment time.

We kindly request that if you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, please let us know as soon as possible.

We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise that may prevent you from attending an appointment, and we respect that your time is valuable. By notifying us of any cancellations or changes to your appointment schedule, you enable us to provide care to other patients in need.

If you fail to attend a scheduled appointment without prior notice, it may prevent another patient from receiving care during that time slot. Additionally, it may result in a missed opportunity for you to receive important medical advice or treatment.

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, simply give us a call or use our online booking system to make the necessary changes. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter and thank you for your understanding.

Patients who repeatedly make an appointment and then do not arrive, will find it difficult to make appointments in future, and may be asked to pay fees in advance.

Yes.

Medicare requires that you have a referral letter from your GP to see a Non GP Specialist. It is illegal for referrals to be backdated. Therefore, we request that you make an appointment with your GP at least one week prior to your specialist appointment so that your GP can write a letter containing all the relevant information.

Prescriptions usually last 6 months, so that necessary checks can be done before you can continue on them. It is important that when you fill the last repeat, you make an appointment with your doctor so that a new script can be provided in a timely way. It is usually possible to synchronise scripts if you are taking several medications, so that they come due together.

A certificate states that the doctor has seen you and that you are fit/unfit. So, you do need to be seen if you need a certificate.

There could be a variety of reasons why the doctor may be running late. Here are some common reasons:
1. Unexpected emergencies: Your doctor may be attending to a medical emergency that took priority over their scheduled appointments.
2. Complex cases: Some patients may require more time and attention due to complex medical conditions or multiple health concerns.
3. Delays in previous appointments: Patients before you may have had unexpected complications or required additional time during their appointments, causing a delay in subsequent appointments.

While we do our best to minimize waiting times, we understand that it can be frustrating to have to wait for your appointment.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as we strive to provide the best possible care to all of our patients.

If you have any questions or concerns about your wait time, please do not hesitate to ask our staff for an update on your appointment.

At our practice, we understand that some patients may have difficulty accessing medical care at our clinic due to mobility issues, transportation barriers, or other health concerns. That’s why we offer home visits to patients who are unable to visit our clinic.

Our healthcare providers are available to visit patients in their homes to provide medical care, assessments, and treatment. Home visits can be particularly beneficial for elderly patients, patients with chronic conditions, and patients with limited mobility.

To request a home visit, simply call our practice and speak to one of our staff members. We will arrange a suitable time for our healthcare provider to visit you at home and provide the necessary medical care and support you need.

Please note that home visits are subject to availability and may require additional fees depending on the location and nature of the visit. Our staff will provide you with all the information you need to receive a home visit and answer any questions you may have.

• Go to your MyGov Online Account
• Link your Medicare account
• Open the MyGov App on your smart phone
• Go to the Wallet on the Home Screen
• Select “add” and simply follow the steps

Privacy laws make it illegal for us to disclose any information about a patient, even to family members, without their prior consent.

If you want a family member to have access to your results, you will need to ask the receptionist to note that in your file before you leave.

If family member is not present during the consultation, then you cannot get a medicare rebate and will be charged a full private fees.

Otway Medical Clinic Privacy Policy

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information.

Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing. The request may be by letter or email and our practice will respond to your request within 14 working days. A template form “Request for Personal Health Information” is available for completion.

Depending on the request for information there may be a fee for this service as per the Health Records Act 2001.

To print out – 20cents a page + GST and there is also a charge for assessing and collating @ $31.30 + GST for the GP to review the record prior to release. There will also be a postage fee if you are unable to personally collect. The fee will need to be paid prior to release/postage. This link may be helpful.

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/legislation/health-records-act

Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up-to-date. From time-to-time, we will ask you to verify your personal information held by our practice is correct and up-to-date. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in person at the clinic, by letter or in an email to dianne@otwaymedical.com.au or, frontdesk@otwaymedical.com.au

We would like to improve our service. If you have had any problems with our care, our after-hours emergency cover, the hospital or our specialist colleagues or wish to comment on any other matter, please contact us.

Experience has shown that if you have a problem with one of our doctors it is best to speak to him or her first. If you are still unhappy we would like you to write a letter to:

The Practice Manager
Mrs. Dianne Loubey
31-35 Connor Street
Colac 3250

Your feedback is important to us so please write to us.

Should the matter not be resolved to your satisfaction after bringing it to our attention you may wish to contact the Office of Health Services Commission at:

Office of the Health Services Commissioner
Complaints and Information
Telephone: (03) 8601 5200
Toll Free: 1800 136 066
Fax No.: (03) 8601 5219   www.health.vic.gov.au/hsc

or write to:

Health Services Commissioner
30th Floor
570 Bourke Street
Melbourne. 3000
Victoria

We understand that patients from non-English speaking backgrounds may face additional challenges in accessing healthcare and to prevent this we encourage them to utilise the Translating & Interpreting Service National by phoning 131 450.

We are happy to organise this service for you.

Patients with hearing difficulties are encouraged to utilise the National Auslan Booking & Payment service by phoning 1800 246 945.

We are happy to organise this service for you.

Otway Medical Clinic is connected to the My Health Record system.

You can choose what information goes into your health record and who is allowed access to it. Your Doctor can upload this information after your consent.

The My Health Record system is used by doctors, hospitals and other healthcare organisations to securely store and share medical  information between healthcare providers.