General Patient Information

GP Registrar Doctors

Kapunda & Eudunda Medical Practice has been a long-time supporter of training programs at all levels. Currently we are able to have three registrars for 6 month placements and four medical students; third year from Flinders University and 5^th years from Adelaide University under the Barossa Valley Doctor of Medicine Rural Stream. This sees students placed with us for almost 12 months at a time. The students practice under close supervision of practice doctors, and are involved in all aspects of practice work both general practice and hospital based.

Both practices have a strong teaching focus and we have two or three general practice registrars with us each year.

The Kapunda Medical Practice is a training post for ACRRM and RACGP registrars in the AGPT and RGTS programs. We work in collaboration to deliver a program of GPs in training. Registrars are placed at our practice on 6 month rotations who are supervised and guided by our experienced practice GPs. Registrars are highly trained and bring the latest knowledge passion and commitment to their work.

We are proud to be a part of this training program and to help train tomorrows future GPs in order to keep our communities happy and healthy.

Immunisation

This practice actively supports Immunisation for all ages and can be arranged by appointment. A full range of childhood immunisations are available, adult and travel immunisations can be accommodated upon request. Influenza vaccinations are available in season and are free to people aged over 65.

Repeat Prescriptions / Referrals

Best medical care suggests that you make an appointment to discuss your medication before being issued with a repeat prescription allowing for a review of your circumstances. Please advise staff and they will book you into a ‘script’ appointment. This is a short appointment during which the doctor will write your prescription only; any other matters will need to be dealt with at another appointment. Specialist referrals will not be given without patient – Doctor contact, it is necessary to book in advance allowing at least one week for an appointment.

Dressings

Our Practice has had to absorb the increasing costs associated with providing dressings to our patients.  The practice does not receive subsidised payments from Medicare for dressings.  Unfortunately we need to ask patients to pay for their dressings.  The first visit for a dressing will be a privately billed consult, thereafter consults will be billed as per normal.  The costs of the dressing will be discussed with patients prior to treatment.  The full cost of a consult and dressing must be paid on the day.

EFTPOS machine

The practice has Medicare online facilities to assist with the Medicare rebate being deposited straight into your bank account on the same day. Please ask reception for further details.

Blood Tests / INR blood test

SA Pathology has a room at our Allied Health Centre at 30 Hill Street Kapunda and are available from 8.30am – 1.00pm, Monday to Friday. A booking is required for SA Pathology, please phone 08 8566 3851. A form is also required from your Doctor.  If you see a Doctor and you require blood taken urgently this may be completed by a Nurse following your appointment.

Test Results

A Doctor or Nurse will contact a patient with test results if any follow up is required. Once your Doctor has read the results they may inform the Nurse if they would like you to make an appointment either urgently or non-urgently to review the results. If the Doctor has left no actions for the Nurse then the Doctor will be happy to discuss the result with you at your next appointment.

It is not appropriate for our nursing staff to analyse your results over the phone. If you require further information it is expected that you will make an appointment with your Doctor.

After Hours Service

If you require medical attention after business hours please ring the Kapunda Hospital 85660200 or Eudunda Hospital 85811404.

All patients seen in outpatients at the hospitals will be required to make a gap payment at the practice within 7 days.

Obstetrics

Antenatal Care can be provided by the Doctors at both the Kapunda and Eudunda Medical Practice but deliveries and post natal care will be handled at the Kapunda Hospital. The practice policy is to not bulk bill for any standard pregnancy related visits, an antenatal consult from 01 July 2023 is $90.55.

Private Hospital Patients

All of our doctors are able to offer no gap private hospital billing to patients with appropriate cover. This means we can bill your private fund direct and your fund will notify you when they have paid us. To find out if you are covered under this scheme please check with your private hospital fund.

Home Visits

Home visits can be organised with the Practice within the township of Kapunda and Eudunda for regular practice patients whose condition prevents them from attending the practice. Please call the surgery first thing in the morning, home visits are limited due to constraints on the visiting doctor.

Recall / Reminder System

This practice has a reminder system for preventative activities such as pap smears, cholesterol checks, vaccinations etc, as part of this practice’s preventative medicine program.  This means that you may be sent a reminder for a check up.  Please let staff know if you do not wish to be on the reminder system

Health Assessments and Care Plans

There are a variety of free government sponsored health assessments available which involve firstly discussing any issues with a Registered Nurse and then with your doctor. Not everyone is eligible so check with a Practice Nurse first. We provide the following health assessments on site at the practice-

18 month old developmental and health check

45 – 49 year old health check

75 year old + health check

GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements are available to patients with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and stroke. Please ask your Doctor or Practice Nurse for details. These assessments are conducted in our  Allied Health Centre at 30 Hill Street, Kapunda.

Telephone Messages

All messages are taken by the receptionist and relayed to the doctor concerned. A consultation will not normally be interrupted to answer the phone. Calls will be triaged by the Nurses and once the urgency of the call is determined the call will either be put through to the Doctor or an electronic message will be sent to them.

Confidentiality

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.  So that we ensure that your personal information is kept confidential, each patient must provide us with permission to release information to someone else.  If you want someone else to ring for your test results, or to pick up your script or your referral, then you must provide us with permission to release this to another specific person.

Privacy

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 our practice’s abide by the Australian Privacy Principles (AAPs) and a Privacy Policy is available on our website, displayed in waiting rooms and upon request. This policy also details the use & disclosure of information, and how your collected information is shared.

Interpreter services

Our practice encourages patients to utilise the free Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
Doctor priority line
T: 1300 575 847
E: TIS.FreeInterpreting@homeaffairs.gov.au
W: www.tisnational.gov.au
Please advise reception staff if you require this service.

Patient Feedback & Complaints

From time to time the practice invites patients to complete a questionnaire on their views and how the practice could be improved. These surveys are completely confidential and help to improve the services we are providing to you.

The practice is keen to be informed if patients are unhappy with any aspect of the care provided and are encouraged to discuss these issues with the Practice Manager or the appropriate Doctor. There are also options of using our suggestion box located in the waiting rooms or writing directly to the practice.

Whilst we believe problems are best dealt with in the practice, you may have a problem that you wish to take up with an outside authority. The South Australian Health Commission deals with medical advice and complaints- 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide.   08 8226 6000

Abusive Behaviour

This practice has a ZERO tolerance to any abuse that may arise towards Doctors or staff, any abuse may disqualify you from further medical care, upon the exception of a life-threatening emergency. These actions have the full support of the Medical Board of SA.