FAQs
Do I have to make an appointment?
Yes we require patients, where possible, to pre-book an appointment. However, we do reserve some appointments each day for patients with urgent cases. To book an urgent appointment please phone the practice as early as possible from 8:30am.
Do I need a standard or a long consult?
Our standard appointments are 15 minutes, although in some cases your Doctor may require a longer consult. Some services like care plans, health assessments, skin checks, or when there are multiple or complex issues to discuss, will require a long appointment.
Do I have a choice in which Doctor I see?
Each patient is free to choose which Doctor they would like to see for their health care. Please let us know which doctor you would prefer to see and we will make every effort to accommodate your wishes.
Sometimes a Doctor may choose to close their books, if they feel their list of patients has reached its capacity.
What happens if my doctor is absent?
Can I speak to my Doctor over the phone?
Yes – please speak to our reception team who can advise if your consult can be delivered via phone. In most cases our Doctors prefer to see their patients face to face. Messages from patients to their Doctor will be directed via Reception who will pass them on to your doctor.
Can I get my results over the phone?
Our staff are able to advise on the Doctors review of your test results. Your Doctor may ask you to come in for a consult to discuss certain results; especially if there are follow-up actions needed.
Results that have not first been checked by a Doctor cannot be given.
How do I get a medical (sick) certificate?
Medical certificates can be provided by your GP during or following a consultation.
It is illegal for a Doctor to backdate a medical certificate, however they may be able to support your reason for previous time off work/study if the nature of your injury/illness suggests so. Please try to present early in your illness should you require a certificate.
How do I request a new referral?
I had an injury whilst working, what should I do?
Any injury sustained during work should be treated as a Worker’s Compensation Claim. An initial visit should be booked as a long consult, as there is a bit of paperwork your Doctor will need to organise with you.
What happens if I have to be admitted to the Bridgetown Hospital?
Who owns my Medical Records?
The records are the notes the doctor makes to assist themselves or other doctors at the surgery.
Medical records are the property of the doctor or practice attended, but you have a right to the information contained in the records. Therefore although they do not belong to the patient, you are entitled to access the contents. This is backed by Commonwealth Privacy Legislation.
By your attendance to see the doctor, you have implicitly given him or her permission to take notes about the consultation.
How do I get my previous medical records to Bridgetown Medical Group?
Our friendly reception team will help you fill out a Request form, which will be sent to your previous GP.
Please note that all family members over 18yo will need to sign this form, and that your previous GP may charge a fee for sending copies of your medical records.
How do I transfer my Bridgetown Medical records to a new surgery?
A request form will need to be filled out and signed at your new surgery, which will then be sent to us for processing.
In accordance with our transfer procedure, a health summary will be sent free of charge, as soon as we receive your request. We will then attempt to reach you by post or by phone to inform you of the fees should you wish to transfer a copy of your complete medical records.
Is it normal to pay a fee for transferring Medical Records?
Will our Doctors accept appointments for Firearms Health Assessment ?
Doctors working at Bridgetown Medical are willing to accept appointment for Firearms Authority Health Assessment. Please note the following –
- You must be a regular patient with Bridgetown Medical and book in with your regular treating GP
- You must bring all necessary paperwork with you to the appointment. Failure to do so will result in an inability to undertake the assessment and a fee will be charged for the missed appointment
- There is a fee of $250 per application, payable on the day of the appointment. There is no Medicare rebate for this service.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the Practice Manager to discuss.