Welcome
New Patients
Your First Appointment
If you are a new patient, please complete the new patient form online that will come via SMS once you have booked your appointment. Or present 15 minutes prior to appointment to complete this in clinic.
For your first appointment, we recommend booking a longer consultation so your GP has enough time to review your medical history and discuss any health concerns in detail.
If you are already known to the doctor, a standard appointment is usually sufficient.
What to Bring
Please bring the following to your first appointment:
- A valid Medicare card
- Pension or Concession Cards (e.g., DVA, Health Care Card)
- List of your current medications, including dosages
- Any relevant medical records, reports, or scans
Bulk Billing
Summervale Medical is a bulk billing clinic for eligible Medicare-card holders.
For bulk-billed consultations:
- The clinic bills Medicare directly for the consultation
- There is no out-of-pocket cost for eligible services covered by Medicare
Some procedures, medical reports or non-Medicare services may attract a fee. Where this applies, patients will be informed prior to the service being provided.
What is Not Offered
As per our practice policy, we do not prescribe S8 drugs (e.g. opioid medication incl. oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl etc.) as well as other drugs of dependence (sedatives / benzodiazepine incl. diazepam and alprazolam etc.) to any new patients not already known to the doctor.
We also do not continue ongoing Centrelink Medical Certificate forms (SU415) initiated by other GP clinics.
Telehealth Services
Summervale Medical offers telephone consultations for eligible existing patients, in accordance with Medicare guidelines.
Telehealth appointments are generally available only for patients who:
- Are existing patients of Summervale Medical, and
- Have attended the clinic for a face-to-face consultation within the past 3 months
Following a telehealth consultation, referrals and imaging requests can be sent electronically, and prescriptions may be issued as eScripts. Please note some medical issues require a face-to-face examination.
Special Appointments
Medical examinations for driver's licences and other purposes require special bookings. Please ensure you select the appropriate option when booking online, and bring any forms required with relevant sections completed beforehand, plus a form of identification.
Commercial Driver's Licence / TruckSafe Medical Assessments
Drivers holding or applying for a commercial driver's licence (e.g. heavy vehicle, truck or bus) must meet medical standards set out in the Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines. Certain conditions may require regular review or specialist assessment.
Skin Cancer Checks
Our doctors provide comprehensive skin cancer checks and management. A full skin check usually takes 10–15 minutes, depending on your skin type and risk factors.
When booking, please specify you require a full skin check — this service is only offered by selected doctors. Please do not wear makeup or moisturiser on the day.
If suspicious lesions are identified, treatment options may include cryotherapy, dermoscopic monitoring, biopsy or excision, curettage and cautery, or topical treatments.
Test Results & Reminder System
For clinical safety and quality care, test results, prescriptions and referrals generally require a doctor's appointment. Reception staff are not permitted to provide medical results.
We will contact you if your results require follow-up or further discussion. If you have not been contacted within approximately one week of testing, your results are often normal or stable.
We may also contact you regarding preventative health checks, vaccinations, and chronic disease reviews. If you prefer not to receive reminders, please inform reception.
Accessibility
Summervale Medical aims to provide accessible healthcare for all patients. Our clinic includes wheelchair access and accessible facilities. If you have specific accessibility needs, please inform reception so we can assist you.
MyMedicare
MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration initiative to strengthen the relationship between patients, their GP and primary care team. Registered patients may benefit from improved continuity of care and longer telehealth consultations.
Registration can be completed through your Medicare online account, the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, or in person at our practice.
My Health Record
My Health Record is a secure online summary of your key health information. Summervale Medical may upload relevant clinical information to your My Health Record where appropriate.
For more information visit: www.myhealthrecord.gov.au
Telephone Policy
To maintain confidentiality and minimise interruptions during consultations, doctors are generally unable to take phone calls during appointments.
If you wish to contact your doctor, reception staff will take a message and a nurse or doctor may return your call if appropriate. In most situations, medical advice requires a scheduled consultation.
Access to Medical Records
Patients have the right to request access to the medical information held by Summervale Medical. Requests must be made in writing, and identification may be required before records are released.
The practice will respond to requests within 30 days. A medical summary may be provided free of charge when transferring to another GP. Requests for full copies may incur a reasonable administrative fee.
Medical information will only be released with patient consent, or where required or authorised by law, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. See our Privacy Policy