Making Appointments:
We run an appointment system, but keep a few times open for urgent problems. You can make an appointment with your doctor by telephoning the surgery on 8522 1844. Whilst we cannot guarantee an appointment with your choice of doctor we can usually accommodate you with an appointment on the day.
Urgent medical problems will be dealt with promptly.
Appointments are usually made at ten minute intervals so you can usually expect to spend ten minutes with your doctor.
This may change if there have been emergencies or if the surgery is very busy.
If you desire, you can phone the surgery before your appointment to check whether the surgery is running on time.
We are unable to accept walk-in appointments.
Gawler Medical offer limited telehealth/telephone appointments for COVID and flu like symptoms due to Medicare requirements for billing. Please be aware there will be an account for these appointments.
After Hours Service:
For emergency care, after clinic hours please attend Accident & Emergency, Gawler Health Service, 21 Hutchinson Road, Gawler East, 85212040.
After hours locum service, call National Home Doctor Service 137425
Out Of Surgery Visits:
House calls can be arranged with the doctors for regular patients in appropriate circumstances. If you have chest pain or breathing difficulties please call an ambulance to take you to hospital. Dial 000 on your telephone.
Requests for weekday house calls are best made before 9.00am. Please remember however, that house calls are time consuming and that doctors can usually see at least three patients in the surgery in the time taken to visit once at home, not including travelling time.
A gap payment will be charged.
Visits can also be arranged in nursing homes and hospitals.
Repeat Prescriptions:
An appointment with your doctor is required to obtain a prescription for medicines taken regularly.
In instances where your doctor has issued a prescription without you attending the surgery, there may be a charge.
Privacy Policy:
Doctors and staff of the clinic are all aware of the importance of patient confidentiality. 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 this information is only available to authorised members of staff. Read our Privacy Policy here.
Results:
Doctors encourage patients to call for results, unless already marked by the Doctor, reception staff will take a message and the Doctor or another staff member will call back with the result, usually between 1.30pm and 2.00pm or after 5.00pm. The Doctor may request you come in for an appointment. Urgent results and the Doctor or receptionist will call asking the patient to come in for an appointment. Patients will receive either a letter or SMS recall/reminder for follow up of non-urgent results.
Telephoning Your Doctor:
Doctors are unable to take calls from patients while they are consulting, we are sure patients understand the reasons why it is not appropriate to do so. Reception staff are happy to take a message and pass on to your Doctor. Doctors check their messages, either during lunch break or at the end of the day. They may not call back personally but a staff member will contact you at the request of the Doctor. If you have any concerns please speak to a staff member.
Interpreter Service:
Please let staff know when making an appointment if an interpreter will be required. Staff are able to organise this.
Patients Rights:
Patients have the right to considerate and respectful care, regardless of their beliefs and ethnic, cultural and religious practices. They have the right to be included in the decisions and choices about their care.
Email Contact:
Patients that authorise and prefer communication to be conducted via electronic means are advised it is done with appropriate regard to privacy and confidentiality of the patients health information. Correspondence may be emailed to [email protected]
Reminders:
Being a fully computerised practice we offer appointment SMS reminders. We also have a reminder system for items such as pap smears, prostate checks, immunisations and the follow up of results.
Patient Feedback:
If you are happy with an aspect of the care you receive from this practice, we would greatly appreciate your comments; or alternatively, if you are unhappy, we are keen to know about it. Please feel free to talk to your Doctor or the Practice Manager, or email [email protected]. We believe that problems are best dealt within the practice. However, if you feel there is a problem you wish to take up outside, you may contact:
SA Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC)
L4 East Wing, 50 Grenfell St. Adelaide
[email protected] Ph 08 8226 8666 or 1800 232 007