Emergency: call 000 · After hours: Balaklava Hospital 08 8862 1400

Call (08) 8862 1444
The front of the Balaklava clinic: a brick building with a verandah, gardens and parking out the front

Patient information

Good to know before your visit

Everything you need to know about how our practice works, from your first visit to getting a referral or a repeat script.

01New patients

A clinician welcoming a mother and her young daughter at a desk

Welcome to the practice

Currently accepting new patients

When you come in for your first appointment, please arrive 10 minutes early to fill in a new patient form, and bring:

  • Your Medicare card
  • Your Pension, Health Care Card or DVA card, if you have one
  • A list of any medicines you take, including vitamins and supplements
  • Any recent test results or letters from other doctors

If you've been seeing another GP, we can request your records with your written consent.

02Scripts and referrals

A clinician going through a patient's medicines with her at a desk

Book before you run out

Repeat scripts need an appointment so your doctor can check the medicine is still right for you. We can send your script as an eScript (a token to your phone) or as a paper script.

  • eScript to your phone
  • Paper script
A doctor writing notes while talking with a patient at a desk

Seeing a specialist

You'll need a current referral to see a specialist and claim the Medicare rebate. If yours is about to expire, book in with your GP before your specialist appointment.

12months: how long GP referrals usually last

03Access and support

Reminders and recalls

Our practice uses a reminder system for things like vaccinations, cervical screening, health checks and follow-up of test results. We may contact you by SMS, phone or letter, so please let reception know if your address or phone number changes. If you'd rather not be included, just tell us.

Interpreters

If you'd like an interpreter, let us know when you book. We can arrange a free interpreter through TIS National, or you can call them yourself. Languages spoken at the clinic: English and Urdu.

Call TIS 131 450

Accessibility

Our Balaklava clinic has wheelchair access, accessible toilets and free accessible parking. If you have other access needs, tell reception when you book and we'll do our best to help.

04Your rights as a patient

Your care, your say

A clinician explaining something on a tablet to a patient
  • You can ask for a chaperone during any examination.
  • You can ask to see your preferred doctor, though they may not always be available on the day.
  • You're welcome to ask questions about your care, your costs or your options at any time.
  • You can request access to your medical records.

05Good to know

For anything medical, please call

Online messages aren't checked continuously and aren't suitable for medical questions or anything urgent.

Call (08) 8862 1444

You can see a doctor on your own

What young people discuss stays confidential, except where there's a risk to their safety.

15+can have their own Medicare card

06Appointments, fees and after hours

Appointments

Please ring 8862 1444 for all appointments.

If you need more time with the doctor, please tell the receptionist when making a booking.

Same-day appointments are not always possible, however urgent medical problems will always be dealt with promptly.

House calls are limited to exceptional circumstances and the township of Balaklava, or Auburn and Port Wakefield when a doctor is in those towns.

You can contact your doctor by ringing during surgery hours. Test results can also be obtained via phone in the afternoons. The reception staff will assist with your requirements.

Call (08) 8862 1444

Fees and billing

Bulk Billing is available for most appointments.

Procedures may incur a fee. Please pay at the time of consultation by cash, cheque or EFTPOS. Discount rates apply if paid on the day.

Bulk billing is available for:

  • Pensioners

  • Veterans Affairs cardholders

  • Health Care cardholders

After hours

For accident or emergency attention outside surgery hours, please ring the Balaklava Hospital on 8862 1400.

After-hours service is for emergencies only.

07Practice policies

Practice policies

How Wakefield Plains Medical Clinic handles your health information, feedback and communication. For how this website handles your data, see our website privacy policy.

Privacy

All patient information and medical records are kept strictly confidential at all times.

Feedback and complaints

If you are unhappy with the service we provide at any time, please feel free to speak to your doctor or the Practice Manager.