Month: April 2020

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What to Expect – Telehealth Appointment

What to Expect – Telehealth Appointment

April 24, 2020 Linda 0

Telehealth Appointment Guide

What to Expect:

  1. The Doctor will call you at your appointment time (+/- 30 minutes).
  2. The Doctor will confirm your identity – you must provide your full name, DOB, address, and telephone number.
  3. The Doctor will ask for your consent to conduct a Telehealth appointment and record notes on your patient file.
  4. The Doctor will explain what he can and can’t do through a Telehealth appointment, and depending on the type of consult you may be required to switch to a video consultation through Facetime or WhatsApp.
  5. The Doctor will advise that the consult is bulk billed or if there is a fee (for patients without Medicare for instance).
  6. Plan B – The doctor may request you attend the clinic in person after a Telehealth consult depending on the type of treatment you require.
  7. At the end of the consult, the doctor may provide a prescription, medical certificate, referral, or imaging request. These documents can either be collected from the clinic, in some instances faxed or emailed to the patient’s nominated provider, or posted to the patient if requested.

Tips for Successful Telehealth Appointments

  1. Ensure you have a quiet and disruptive free environment.
  2. Speak slowly and clearly to the doctor so they can best understand your condition.
  3. Write down notes or questions you have prior to your consult to ensure you don’t forget anything important.
  4. Remember, the doctor’s time is very valuable. Telehealth appointments are scheduled for 10 minutes, please advise if you require a longer appointment. Thank you for your understanding.
  5. Please give us any feedback about your Telehealth Appointment. We are continually looking to make improvements and we value your loyal feedback.

To book a Telehealth Appointment please download our FREE App or call 08 9456 0184.

Telehealth Appointment

Telehealth Appointment

April 24, 2020 Linda 0

Telehealth is a method of delivering healthcare that involves the use of information and communications technology. Telehealth can be used to provide diagnosis, treatment, preventative and curative aspects of healthcare services. Appointments can be conducted through telephone or video consultation.

Consultations can be provided directly to a patient by the GP and are 100% bulk billed under Medicare. *Fees will apply to patients with no medicare.

Typical consults for Telehealth appointments include:

  • General appointments
  • Medical certificates
  • Prescriptions
  • Referrals
  • Imaging requests

Benefits of Telehealth Appointments

Telehealth is necessary to GPs during a pandemic to ensure all patients have continued access to quality healthcare without having to attend a clinic in person for such things as vaccinations, wound treatments, etc. Reducing the number of patients at the clinic reduces the risk for patients and clinic staff and meets social distancing requirements during pandemic periods.

Further benefits include:

  • Keeping vulnerable patients safe;
  • Continuous patient contact;
  • Minimising PPE use;
  • Helps patients with mobility issues;
  • Efficient routing health care;
  • Reduced patient costs;
  • Enhanced chronic disease management.

To book a Telehealth Appointment please download our FREE App or call 08 9456 0184.

FLU VACCINATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

FLU VACCINATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

April 20, 2020 Linda 0

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a highly contagious disease caused by the influenza virus.

Vaccination is the best protection against influenza. Everyone is urged to get an influenza vaccine every year.

Some people are more at risk of serious health complications if they get influenza and can get a free influenza vaccine.

The following individuals in WA are eligible to receive a government funded vaccine:

  • Persons over 65 years or older
  • Children 6 months to less than 5 years
  • Primary school-aged children (born after 30 June 2007 and > 5 years)
  • Pregnant women (any trimester)
  • Aboriginal people 6 months and older
  • Individuals 6 months and older with medical conditions that place them at risk for complications of influenza, including:
    • Cardiac disease;
    • Chronic respiratory conditions;
    • Chronic neurological conditions;
    • Impaired immunity;
    • Diabetes and other metabolic disorders;
    • Renal disease;
    • Haematological disorders;
    • Children aged 6 months to 10 years receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

When is the best time to get the influenza vaccine?

For best protection against influenza, people are strongly advised to get the influenza vaccine every year.

This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic it is advised to get the influenza vaccine as soon as it is available.

Note: After vaccination it can take up to 2 weeks to develop protection.

It is never too late to get the influenza vaccine.

Should I get the vaccine if I am healthy and rarely get sick?

Even healthy people can get sick from influenza. Most healthy people who get influenza are quite sick for a short time, but generally recover well.

However, as influenza is easily spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth or nose, you can spread germs to others. This includes those who are at serious risk of complications if they get influenza such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions. If they get influenza, complications may include high fever, pneumonia, worsening of other illnesses and in some cases death.

By getting vaccinated each year, you help to protect these vulnerable people from getting sick with influenza, as well as those who are unable to be vaccinated themselves (e.g. children under 6 months are too young to get an influenza vaccine).

To Book a Flu Vaccination please call 08 9456 0184 or book online using our FREE App! Download today!