Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads Medical Clinic FAQ

How do I make an appointment?

If you would like to make an appointment with one of our practitioners, please contact our reception staff. Alternatively you may book your appointments online. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred time and choice of practitioner. Longer consultations are available, so please advise our reception staff if you require some extra time.

How long are appointments?

The length of your appointment will depend on the medical services or nursing services you require. Please call our friendly receptionists for more information.

Can I make, change or cancel an appointment via email?

We are unable to accept, change or cancel appointments via email. To make, change or cancel an appointment please call us.

Do you have an appointment reminder system?

Yes, we will send an SMS to you the day before your appointment.

How will I know if my practitioner is running on time?

At Ocean Grove Medical Clinic and Barwon Heads Medical Clinic, we understand your time is valuable. All of our practitioners do their best to run on time and your punctual attendance will assist this. Should your practitioner be running late, we will endeavour to contact you to let you know.

Alternatively, please feel free to call us 30 minutes prior to your appointment to see if your practitioner is running on time. Should you arrive late for your appointment, your practitioner will do their best to provide you with your full consultation time but in some situations, appointments will need to be rescheduled or treatment time reduced.

Can I contact my practitioner via email?

Unfortunately, the clinic is unable to respond to you as a patient via email. This policy ensures complex problems are diagnosed accurately and managed appropriately with a proper consultation whilst allowing you time to have all your questions answered. Please call the clinic to arrange an appointment to see your practitioner.

How do I arrange a home visit?

Home visits are available for registered patients who are too ill to attend the clinic and live in Ocean Grove or Barwon Heads. To arrange a home visit, please contact our reception staff.

How do I arrange an after-hours visit?

Ocean Grove Medical Clinic and Barwon Heads Medical Clinic provides a 24-hour care for our patients and visitors to the area. A visiting home doctor service is available after hours by phoning our clinic.

After hours medical care is provided by the National Home Doctor Service.

What is the billing policy of Ocean Grove Medical Clinic?

Fees for consultations and services at Ocean Grove Medical Clinic and Barwon Heads Medical Clinic are payable at the time of consultation by cash, MasterCard, Visa or EFTPOS.

A reduced fee is offered to holders of valid Commonwealth concession cards (excluding the Seniors Card). A fee may also be charged for missed appointments.

If you have difficulty in paying for your consultation, please discuss this with our office manager.

Telephone calls

To ensure quality of care, our doctors prefer to see you for a consultation rather than liaise via telephone. We try to keep interruptions to your consultation to a minimum. Our practitioners will generally not take calls whilst they are consulting. If your doctor is unable to speak to you at the time that you call, you are welcome to leave a message so that they can return your call at their earliest opportunity.

Urgent calls will always be dealt with promptly – FOR EMERGENCIES, PLEASE DIAL 000

Test results

If your doctor refers you for pathology, imaging or other diagnostic tests, they will advise you of when they anticipate your results to be received. Please schedule an appointment to discuss your test results with your doctor.

Recall for abnormal results will be made either by test message, phone or mail, so please ensure that we have your most up-to-date contact details.

Privacy

Your medical record is a confidential document.  In line with National Privacy Principles 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.

Privacy Brochures are available upon request.

Complaints