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CLINIC NEWS:
Usual Business Hours will resume as from Tuesday 4th January 2022 & Bundoora Health (Second Branch) will re-open, however we are running short staffed both in Medical and Reception staff over the Summer Holiday period and as we all deal with the new COVID wave of cases in our community. We ask that you be understanding, show patience and be kind to all aspect of our Andrew Place Clinic/ Bundoora Health Staff as we are doing our very best to continue providing quality care and services during these extended challenging times. We appreciate your understanding as we all work together to stay safe in 2022. COVID-19 Vaccinations & Information Please refer to the NEW COVID-19 Tab for ALL information retaining to COVID-19 including Vaccinations, Bookings, Information and Links otherwise you may book an appointment with your regular GP to discuss any COVID related questions. Your patience is much appreciated during this very busy and challenging time for us all. We thank you for your cooperation and for treating our staff with care. CHANGE TO SERVICES: Change to Billings for Children Under 11yrs old after 5pm Weekdays from 1st January 2022 As of the 1st January 2022, Andrew Place Clinic GP's will be privately billing Children 11yrs and under AFTER 5.00 PM on Weekdays. The fee will be the concession rate of $58.50 We will be able to claim the Medicare rebate of $39.10 once full payment is made at the time of consultation, which will then make the parents $19.40 out of pocket; a parent will be selected as the 'Head of Family' so that the rebate will be paid back into their account. All patients 12 yrs and above will remain at the After Hours fee of $85.50 with the exception of Veteran Affairs patients who will continue to be Bulk Billed after hours. Change to WorkCover Consultations & Billings from 1st January 2022 As of 1st January 2022, the fee for existing Workcover consultations will be lifted to match that of our standard consultations. This is to align with our pre-existing policy for new Workcover consultations. ALL WorkCover appointments will be paid for via the patient at the time of consultation, who will then seek the reimbursement from their workplace. With ever increasing costs the practice can no longer afford to subsidise the gap between the charge for a private consult and the amount paid by Workcover for a work-related consult. We are sure you understand our ongoing commitment to providing the best patient care possible to everyone in our community, and we thank you for your ongoing support. Please note that billing will, as always, be subject to doctor discretion. If you would like more information regarding general practice fees see the following link: https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/position-statements/view-all-position-statements/health-systems-and-environmental/billing-for-general-practice-services In Clinic Waiting Room All patients and carers who are 16 years & over, MUST be FULLY VAXXED to be able to sit and wait in clinic waiting room for their appointment provided they are not unwell or meant to be isolating. Otherwise patients and carers will be asked to wait outside or in their car until the GP/ Nurse is ready to see them. While in Clinic, All patients and carers 16 years & over, are to AT ALL TIMES WEAR A MASK CORRECTLY & APPROPRIATELY due to the setting we work within. Thank you for you understanding! Andrew Place Clinic celebrates 50 years in serving the local Community! In January 2021, Andrew Place Clinic was proud to celebrate its 50 years in being an established Family Medical Clinic with a devoted group of general practitioners serving the local and surrounding community area with a range of medical needs. Over the years the building itself has seen many renovations and even an expansion of Andrew Place Clinic to a second location at Bundoora Health, we have seen the introduction of many services, GPs, Registrars, Nurses, Reception Staff and Allied Health. 50 years on........... we at Andrew Place Clinic take pride in providing quality, friendly and professional care for our many patients and their families, with some spanning for 4 generations and we are always welcoming new patients into the clinic and hope we will for many years to come. Clinic Operating During the Pandemic and Lockdowns Andrew Place Clinic is open and operating during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The reminder from HOTDOC that is sent out 24hrs prior to your appointment can be used as evidence of your Medical appointment, should you need it. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions we kindly ask for all transactions where possible to be performed via EFTPOS or CREDIT CARD. Thank you. If you have flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, headache, sore throat or shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste it is important you seek medical care early as these may be COVID-19 symptoms. Please contact us via phone prior to making a booking or visiting the Clinic. Please advise at the time of booking if you have been in an area identified as a COVID-19 hotspot or exposure site in the last 2 weeks or you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. It is mandatory that all patients attending for a face to face appointment wear a mask upon entering and while within the clinic or staff are in their presence. What we are doing to be a COVIDSAFE Clinic To maintain the safety of our patients and staff, we have implemented COVIDSAFE practices in our clinic:
What you can do to be COVIDSAFE at our Clinic Here's how you can help:
We are here to support all of our patients in the best way we can. We would like to encourage our patients to not neglect their healthcare and to continue with their usual regular check-ups, procedures and immunisations. Our Doctors are available for COVIDSAFE face to face consultations and via telehealth Change to Telephone Consultations Requirements for Telehealth from 1st October 2020 Private & Bulk-Billed Telehealth (telephone) consultations are available at Andrew Place Clinic however eligibility requirements apply and you MUST have had a Face to Face consultation with a GP at Andrew Place Clinic within the last 12 months to be able to receive your Medicare rebate or be bulk billed or you will be privately charged and no rebate can be claimed. For information regarding eligibility requirements with the recent change to Victorian COVID restrictions easing, please see information below. General Practitioners providing COVID-Safe telehealth services are not required to bulk bill their patients from the 1/10/2020. We have started seeing more patients in clinic. ALL calls for appointments must and will still be screened for symptoms. If a patient is displaying ANY symptoms, they will be offered a Telehealth appointment and/or COVID-Safe arrangements will be made. If your doctor approves the need for an in-clinic appointment, patients will be advised to call the clinic on arrival to check in from the carpark for their appointment, remain and wait in their car or outside and the doctor will call them before they enter the clinic. Some of our doctors will continue to work remotely on some sessions, so an in-clinic appointment may not always be available. For any new patients to the clinic, it is preferred that we see you in-clinic for part of your consultation, please phone and speak with receptionist staff to book an appropriate appointment time. Who is eligible for Telehealth with rebate? • All patients provided they have had at least one face-to-face consultation with a GP at this clinic within the last 12 months and hold a valid medicare card. * Patients may still have a telehealth consultation if they do not meet eligibility requirements however they will not receive a rebate from Medicare and will be out of pocket for a full private fee. Who will be Bulk Billed for Telehealth from 1/10/2020? (subject to meeting eligibility requirements)? • Patients who hold a current Pension Card (Aged or DSP) - Between 9.00am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays; outside these hours Concession or Private rates will apply. • Vet Affairs • Children under 12 years of age - Between 9.00am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays; outside these hours Concession rates will apply. Who will be charged Concession Rate for Telehealth with rebate from 1/10/2020? (subject to meeting eligibility requirements)? • Children aged 12yrs -15yrs - Between 9.00am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays; outside these hours Private rates will apply. • Children under 12 years of age - Between 5.00pm to 7.45pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays; outside these hours Concession rates will apply. • Patients on a current Concession card from Centrelink - Between 9.00am to 4.45pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays; outside these hours Private rates will apply. Who will be charged Private Fee for Telehealth with rebate from 1/10/2020? (subject to meeting eligibility requirements)? • Any patient not listed above - Fees will revert to usual clinic structure and a full consultation fee will apply. It is each individual doctor's discretion if they choose to bill differently for a consultation Please refer to Fees tab for further outline of Telehealth consultations for Private, Concession and Bulk Billed patients MOLEMAP CHECKS recommenced on 29/10/2020 (available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for limited appointments) Andrew Place Clinic has recommenced limited MoleMap Check appointments as of 29/10/2020. This service is only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please call the reception staff and/or refer to "Appointments - Practice Policies" Tab for further information. MoleMap Check fee is $153.00 during weekdays. Deposit payment of $100.00 is payable at the time of booking and Registration Form must be completed. (Service may be covered by Private Health Insurance, patients to check with their own Health Insurance Provider for coverage details, there is no rebate from Medicare for this service). Please note this service is for a MoleMap Check and images will only be taken on the day of any moles of concern. ALL Patients MUST be Fully Vaxxed and/or provide a current negative COVID test result in the last 24/48hrs. * Please Note: Saturday MoleMap Check appointments are currently suspended until further notice, upon return in the future; Saturday MoleMap Check appointment fee will be $183.00. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS As you are all aware we are still facing the coronavirus pandemic. This can be a worrying time but we, the Andrew Place Clinic staff, want to assure you that we remain dedicated to assisting our patients and their families throughout these challenging circumstances. In order to minimise the potential spread of the coronavirus we will be implementing some changes to the way Andrew Place Clinic runs and we would greatly appreciate your cooperation. Also be aware that this is a rapidly changing situation and as such advice and procedures are likely to change. Please continue to check out website for the most updated information. Due to the coronavirus pandemic we are unable to see any patients with cold or flu symptoms (including cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose) in-clinic without COVID-Safe arrangements being made. We ask that you book a telehealth consult – which is a consultation conducted over the phone (a facetime or zoom chat can also be arranged) for the doctor to make an assessment or consultation with you. If you are booking an appointment to consult with your doctor for an unrelated issue – but also have cold and flu symptoms – even if very mild – we ask that you arrange a telehealth appointment, inform the receptionist so that COVID-Safe arrangement can be made or postpone your appointment until you are symptom free. In order to minimise potential exposure to the coronavirus, while you are within the clinic we will be implementing the following:- · Please call the reception when you arrive for your appointment and remain in your car. Reception will log you as arrived and when the Doctor/ Nurse is ready to see you, they will call and instructed you when and if you are to enter the clinic. Upon entering the clinic ALL people must sanitise hands as they pass by reception and patients >12yrs old must have a mask on and worn appropriately and correctly when entering and while within the clinic. · Waiting room seats have been separated to create distances which will minimise your exposure to other patients, if you need to wait in the waiting room. By limiting the number of people in the waiting room/ clinic; we therefore reduce your risk. Similarly you may notice a change in the seating arrangements in all consulting rooms. · Please ensure you use hand sanitiser as you enter the clinic and then again on leaving. Again, these are worrying times and sometimes that worry can become significant distress. Please contact Andrew Place Clinic if you are concerned about your own mental health, or that of a loved one. For 24 hour a day telephone crisis support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 44. For Further COVID-19 Advice, patients can call: DHHS Hotline: 1800 675 398 (open 24 hours, 7 days) Austin Hospital: 9496 5000 Northern Hospital: 8405 8844 (only if they have a fever) Thank you for your understanding. In Preparation - Blood Pressure Machine & Electronic Temperature Probe “ In preparation for the upcoming prolonged physical distancing we would suggest each family consider purchasing an Blood Pressure machine ( we use Omron and recommend this for anyone over 40 years of age) and an electronic temperature probe ( we use Braun via the ear probe and recommend this for everyone) and familiarize yourself we how it works. This will help the doctors monitor your conditions and health whilst being at home.” STAFF NEWS: Dr. Susan Lewis is Retiring After many years of dedication and caring service to the patients of Andrew Place Clinic, our beloved Dr. Susan Lewis will be retiring at the end of Januray 2022. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Dr. Lewis' last day consulting will be on Friday 28/1/2022. Dr. Sue Bergin working briefly at Andrew Place Clinic over the Summer Holidays We are happy to welcome Dr. Sue Bergin, who will be working with us at Andrew Place Clinic for a few weeks in January while other doctors are away on holidays. Her days will be at random each week but she will only consult 2 days per week. Dr. Bergin will not be seeing any NEW patients or existing patients from her previous clinic as she will only be here for a few weeks and unable to provide ongoing care for those patients. We hope Sue will enjoy her time here at Andrew Place Clinic. Dr. Simone Craig has joined the GP Team at Andrew Place Clinic We are excited to announce that Dr. Simone Craig has commenced as a GP member at Andrew Place Clinic. Dr. Craig started consulting on the 12/10/2021 and will be working 2 days a week on Tuesdays during the day and on Friday mornings. Welcome to the Team Simone! A full biography will be available to view on the Doctors page in coming weeks. Congratulations Dr. Tristan Barnes on becoming an Associate Doctor at Andrew Place Clinic Dr. Tristan Barnes has become an Associate Partner of Andrew Place Clinic as from 1st July 2021. We welcome Tristan into the Associate Doctor partnership and know he will be an extended asset to the working relationship at Andrew Place Clinic. Congratulations Tristan! Dr. Wendy Bernet has stepped down from being an Associate Doctor After many dedicated years of being an Associate Partner of Andrew Place Clinic, as from 30/6/2021, Dr. Wendy Bernet has chosen to step down from her associate doctor role but will continue to provide her compassionate service as a part time doctor retaining her current hours. After all her years as an Associate, we hope she enjoys her next chapter with less responsibility. Thank You Wendy! Dr. Lisa Mifsud has returned to consulting sessions at Andrew Place Clinic for both in-clinic and telehealth appointments. Dr. Lisa Mifsud has returned from maternity leave and resumed working sessions at Andrew Place Clinic and is now available for appointments. Currently she is working on Wednesday mornings and on Saturdays. Welcome Back Lisa! Farewell and Thank You to Dr. Susanne Oldmeadow! Dr Susanne Oldmeadow has finished up her time at Andrew Place Clinic as of the 8/09/2021. Susanne has been an amazing addition to our Medical team since she began working with Andrew Place Clinic in 2008. However it has come time that she would like to explore new and exciting opportunities and we wish her well and say thank you for the wonderful support she provided patients and staff in her time here. Farewell and Good Luck Susanne! Dr. Laurence Elder has joined Andrew Place Clinic. Dr. Laurence Elder has joined the GP team and begun working at Andrew Place Clinic and is available for appointment bookings. With his commencement, we are excited to have another male doctor available for consultations. A full biography can be viewed on the Doctors page. He will be working on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays. DOCTORS LEAVE DATES: Doctors on leave in January 2022 The following doctors will be on leave in January 2022 Dr. Philip Smith: 5/1/2022 to 15/1/2022 - First Day Back 18/1/2022 Dr. Eric Tay: 10/1/2022 to 28/1/2022 - First Day Back 31/1/2022 Dr. Melissa Cairns: 17/1/2022 to 21/1/2022 - First Day Back 24/1/2022 Doctors on leave in January 2022/ February 2022 The following doctors will be on leave in January 2022/ February 2022 Dr. Genevieve Shing: 21/1/2022 to 6/2/2022 - First Day Back 7/2/2022 Dr. Christina Illing: 24/1/2022 to 4/2/2022 - First Day Back 7/2/2022 CHANGE TO POLICY FOR RECEIVING RESULTS, REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS, REFERRALS AND TELEPHONING YOUR DOCTOR Please refer to the "Appointments Tab" on our website for further information regarding changes to our Clinic's policies relating to Receiving Results, Repeat Prescriptions, Referrals and Telephoning your Doctor. No Requests will be taken or actioned and results will not be given out on the weekend or on a public holiday and can only be given out via the telephone after 11am on weekdays. Any non-urgent requests will be forwarded to your doctor and will be actioned within the 10 business days. If the matter is more urgent, we recommend that you make an appointment to see your doctor. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. SMS REMINDERS Due to changes in accreditation requirements we require each patient’s verbal consent to send SMS reminders. Please contact reception to consent and note that you will not be able to receive SMS reminders, including those for upcoming appointments with your GP, until this has been done. Thanks for your cooperation. |