Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records, Ordinarily we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.

Privacy laws make it illegal for us to disclose any information about a patient, even to family members, without their prior consent. If you want a family member to have access to your results, please let our receptionists know to make a note of this in your record. We keep your records electronically on a secure server. This includes tests, letters, certificates, correspondence, prescriptions, and referrals.

Full details of our practice's policy for managing patient health information is available to our practice manager.

Appointment Types

A standard appointment is usually between 10-15 minutes. Please ask the receptionist to book a long consultation if you need a general check-up, have more than one problem to be dealt with or need a consultation that will include counselling.

Urgent Appointments/walk In Clinic

We reserve some walk-in appointments for emergencies or urgent matters. Please let us know the urgency so we can help you make a timely appointment. We keep a standby list if these urgent appointments have all been used.

Cancellations

Please advise us if you need to cancel your appointment as soon as possible so that we can care for someone else. We may charge a fee if you repeatedly fail to attend for your appointment.

Scripts, Referrals Or Medical Certificates

If you need a referral to a specialist, please make an appointment at least one week prior to your specialist appointment. This allows us to write a letter containing all the relevant information. Please note that it is illegal for us to backdate a referral.

If you need a prescription, we ask that you book an appointment when you are on your last repeat. We often need to check that the medication is still appropriate, optimal and safe.

If you need a medical certificate, we need to see you to certify that you are unfit for work. To do this, please book an appointment.

What is the practice's communication policy?

Telephone calls

Phone calls can be received by the practice's reception team during normal opening hours. Please let the receptionist know if the call is urgent.

As it is important to keep interruptions to a minimum, it will not generally be possible for the doctor to take a patient's phone calls during a consultation. The doctor will return your call as soon as possible.

Electronic communication

Email communication to the practice can be made via info@ormc.net.au and this is checked regularly by the reception team during normal opening hours. Email correspondence should be of a general, non-medical nature. We will not provide medical advice, test results or any patient information via email. If you need such information please telephone us to arrange an appointment with your doctor.

Workers Compensation

Please inform reception when booking your appointment if it is for Workers Compensation. All visits will be billed privately to the employer unless otherwise stated.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Patients must report the accident to the Insurance Commission of Western Australia on Tel: 9264 3333. All appointments must be paid on the day by the patient and can subsequently be claimed back from the Insurance Commission.

Test Results

Privacy legislation dictates that test results may not be given over the telephone or by our reception staff, so please do not ask. A follow up appointment must be made with your doctor to discuss the results of any performed test.

We make every effort to contact patients with abnormal results but sometimes these efforts fail (e.g. through incorrect telephone or address details). Please do not assume that your results are normal just because you have not heard from us. Make sure you have arranged a follow up appointment.

Medical Students

Ocean Reef is a teaching practice and committed to helping train the next generation of Australian doctors. Occasionally, our GPs may be accompanied by a medical student from UWA. If so, you will be asked for your consent in allowing the student to attend your consultation. Please say if you would prefer not to, the choice is yours.

Complaints, Compliments And Suggestions

We want to make you happy. We're proud of our practice, but if you have any feedback, please contact our practice manager on(08) 9307 5344.

We take all complaints seriously and your feedback is important to us.

It is also your right to contact the Health and Disabilities Services Complaints Office on Tel:1800 813 583.

Our Rights

We reserve the right to request that you no longer attend our surgery if we consider your behavior to be unacceptable, such as being abusive to staff, exhibiting threatening or violent behavior, deliberately damaging property or stealing.