The practice was opened in 1991, and was initially located in an upstairs office in Hannah Street. This location soon became inappropriate for elderly patients, those with injuries and parents with young children in strollers. In consequence the Practice relocated to its present position in December 1993.
Parking is readily available in the shopping centre car park next-door to the surgery. Disabled parking is available at the rear of the building. A ramp is provided for stroller and wheelchair access. A toy corner is provided in the waiting room for young children.
The Receptionists are available from 8.45am daily to make appointments. All doctors in the Practice may be contacted by telephone during normal surgery hours.
If the doctor is with a patient a message will be taken and the doctor will return your call as soon as possible. Your call will always be put through in an emergency.
Home visits during the day are available on request. House calls are restricted to addresses in Beecroft, Cheltenham, Epping and West Pennant Hills because of time constraints, but under special circumstances this can be waived.
For After Hours service, ring the Surgery for details of how to obtain assistance - 9484 4788. Information is on the answering machine message.
Our After Hours Medical Deputising Service is the Sydney Medical Service Co-Operative Limited. Their direct number is 8724 6300 and is for patients of this Practice. They may be contacted direct. Patients registered with Medicare or Veterans Affairs are Bulk-Billed. Their operating hours are:
Consultation fees are displayed in the surgery reception area. The Practice has a private fee structure and is not a bulk-billing Practice. This is because we are committed to careful, continuing, unhurried medical care. Each appointment will be a minimum of 15 minutes.
Payment is appreciated at the time of the visit, and can be cash, cheque or EFTPOS – credit or debit cards, except Diners or Amex.
You can now make a claim from Medicare at the surgery and the cheque will be posted to you in about 10-14 days.
There is a $7.50 charge for referrals and prescriptions when these are provided without a consultation, but if you are prepared to wait for a few minutes to see one of the doctors this can be bulk billed on Medicare.
Since the Practice was computerized, we have instituted a recall system for some services. If more than two years have passed since your last pap-smear, ladies, you will receive a reminder note to that effect.
If you do not wish to receive such reminders please inform one of the receptionists and your name will be removed from the mailing list.
About twice a year a Practice newsletter will be posted out to you. The aim of this is to keep you informed about changes to the Practice, leave arrangements of staff, new equipment, education about current health problems and anything else we would like you to know. Suggestions for subject matter will be gratefully received.
As of 21st December 2001 patients have right of access to health information held about them by this practice.
All requests for access must be in writing and the time between the request and granting of access shall not ordinarily exceed 30 days.
You will not be permitted to remove or alter the contents of your medical file. A fee will be charged for photocopying/explanation of contents, which is not recoverable from Medicare. Patients will be required to collect their records in person.
Should you have any complaints about the quality of care or the treatment that you receive at the Practice from any member of the staff, please feel free to discuss the matter in the first instance with Dr Hellman.
If we are not able to satisfactorily resolve the issue, you may wish to contact:
Health Care Complaints Commission Locked Bag 18 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Phone: (02) 9219 7444 (02) 9281 4584
The practice was opened in 1991, and was initially located in an upstairs office in Hannah Street. This location soon became inappropriate for elderly patients, those with injuries and parents with young children in strollers. In consequence the Practice relocated to its present position in December 1993.
