No patient is refused access to clinical assessment or medical treatment on the basis of gender, race, disability, Aboriginality, age, religion, ethnicity, beliefs, sexual preference or medical condition. Provisions are implemented to ensure patients with a disability can access our services.

Patient privacy and confidentiality is assured for consultations and in medical and accounts records, appointments, telephone calls and electronic media including computer information.

Patients have a right to access their personal health information and may request to view their record or obtain a copy.

Patients have the right to refuse any treatment, advice or procedure. Our general practitioners discuss all aspects of treatment and will offer alternatives should a patient seek another medical opinion.

Patients are provided with sufficient information about the purpose, importance, benefits, risks and possible costs associated with proposed investigations, referrals or treatments to enable patients to make informed decisions about their health.

Patient consent is also sought for participation in our health reminder systems and any research projects we may participate in. Patients are advised that any prior consent given can be withdrawn at any time.

In line the National Privacy Principles – Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff. All information given to your doctor, either verbally or in writing, is treated in the strictest confidence. Patient medical records are confidential documents and may be provided to another person, only with the consent of the patient or on the order of a court.
It is the policy of the practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorized members of staff.
Our privacy policy is simple. We DO NOT share your personal information with any outside parties. You may choose to stop receiving information from us at any time – just let us know. We only want to give you information if you actually WANT it!

You are requested to ring the clinic for details of test results or make an appointment online. When the doctor has seen the results she/he writes a comment which reception staff can relay to the patients. Reception staff are only authorised to pass on the doctors comments. If further elaboration is required an appointment will need to be booked.

This practice uses a computerised recall and reminder system. Relevant patients will be notified about suggested follow-up tests and or visits. If you do not wish to participate in this recall and reminder system you should advise your doctor.

Consultation fees are charged on the sameday after consultation via EFPTOS (Tyro Terminal)

We will help to get your medicare rebates as soon as possible within minutes to 1-2 days using TYRO terminals being used by reception staff, Meaning that you will be practically paying only the gap fee using your Debit/Credit Card.

Non Attendance: Charges will be incurred for failure to notify of cancellations or for late notification.

Prescriptions may be written without an appointment if you have seen the doctor recently and have previously been prescribed the medication.

Telephone your requirements to see if this is possible. If so it can be collected the next working day.

There will be a fee for this service. Otherwise an appointment will be necessary.

Repeat prescriptions will not be issued for drugs of dependence such as benzodiazepines, narcotics and other sedatives without an appointment. Examples include: Panadeine Forte, Endone, Oxycodone, Targin, Temazepam, Diazepam/Valium

We Generally dont offer Home visit. But can be considered in very acute situations

At this stage we are not offering Nursing Home Visit. It will be considered after we have more General Medical Practitioners onboard in our team.

We offer private consultation and charge on the day of appointments. Receipt will be given to patients for them to later organise reimbursements from Work/ TAC

Patient Satisfaction affects health outcomes and we acknowledge that patients are an important source of customer feedback. Your suggestions or complaints allow us to improve our services. The practice aims to resolve complaints as they are reported. Please take an opportunity to register your complaint either verbally to staff, in writing (a letter) or via our suggestion box which is located at the reception desk in the waiting room area. Patients should also feel free to complain anonymously if desired. Under the Health Service (Conciliation and Review) Act 1987 people with complaints should try to resolve them directly with the health service provider.

If a satisfactory outcome is not achieved then the complaint can go directly to the Health Service Commissioner for action. The public may also call the office of the Health Services Commissioner:

Our practice is mindful that even if patients have provided electronic contact details, they may not be proficient in communicating via electronic means and patient consent needs to be obtained before engaging in electronic communication. Electronic communication includes email and facsimile only.

Electronic communication with patients is not encouraged due to privacy issues.

Whilst not encouraged, our practice allows patients an opportunity to obtain advice or information related to their care by electronic means, but only where the general practitioner determines that a face-to-face consultation is unnecessary and that communication by electronic means is suitable. Our practice will only provide information that is of a general, non-urgent nature and will not initiate electronic communication with patients. Any electronic communication received from patients is also used as a method to verify the contact details we have recorded on file are correct and up-to-date.

Kew work practices include:

All significant electronic contact with patients is recorded in the patient health records.
Patients are informed of any costs incurred prior to electronic consultations.
Practice staff and doctors are aware of alternative modes of communication used by the disabled.
Communication is conducted with appropriate regard to the privacy laws relating to health information and confidentiality of the patients health information.

All members of the practice team are made aware of our policy regarding electronic communication with patients during induction, and are reminded of this policy on an ongoing basis. They are made aware that electronic communications could be forwarded, intercepted, printed and stored by others. Each member of the practice team holds full accountability for emails sent in their name or held in their mailbox, and they are expected to utilise this communication tool in an acceptable manner. This includes, but is not limited to:

Limiting the exchange of personal emails
Refraining from responding to unsolicited or unwanted emails
Deleting hoaxes or chain emails
Email attachments from unknown senders are not to be opened
Virus checking all email attachments
Maintaining appropriate language within electronic communications
Ensuring any personal opinions are clearly indicated as such, and
Confidential information (e.g. patient information) must be encrypted.

Our practice reserves the right to check an individual’s email accounts as a precaution to fraud, viruses, workplace harassment or breaches of confidence by members of the practice team. Inappropriate use of the email facility will be fully investigated and may be grounds for dismissal.

The practice uses an email disclaimer notice on outgoing emails that are affiliated with the practice stating: This message is confidential and should only be used by the intended addressee.  If you were sent this email by mistake, please inform us by reply email and then destroy this message.  The contents of this email are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Shepparton GP Medical Practice & Acupuncture Clinic.

Shepparton GP Medical Practice & Acupuncture Clinic has zero tolerance for any form of abusive behaviour displayed towards our staff. Should a patient be found to be aggressive or abusive towards our team we will exercise the right to refuse any further treatment for that patient.

An appropriate risk management strategy is followed when exercising this right which includes ensuring that:

• The patient has been provided reasons why they cannot have ongoing treatment by the practitioner/practice
• The patient has been provided with alternative possible treatment locations
• Any complaints that may arise are dealt with according to the complaints procedure, and
  Full documentation of the actions taken to the above is recorded in the patient’s health record.

Our practice will endeavour to assist such patients with ongoing care, including the provision of a written referral to other healthcare providers and a transfer of any medical history.

None of the contents of this site or its newsletters are intended to be interpreted as professional, medical, or training advice and should not be considered as such. This site is not intended to offer medical advice, but is provided for informational purposes only.
Any person with a personal health concern is advised to seek medical opinion and management. Shepparton GP Medical Practice & Acupuncture Clinic accept no liability for any personal interpretation of the information provided on the website or in the newsletter, or for the use or misuse of the information contained herein.
While we makes every effort to publish accurate information on this site, we don’t make any claims or representations about use of our content for any purpose. We specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, arising directly or indirectly through any use of this site, or information included in this site.