Parkes General Medical Practice

If urgent, please give reception staff a clear, concise explanation of the nature of the emergency. This information will be passed on to the doctor. Alternatively, contact the nearest hospital or call 000 if life threatening.

Our patients will be given the option of being contacted by electronic means via email, however this is not our preferred method of communication.

As part of our quality assurance and accreditation we will invite you to participate in a survey requesting your views of the practice. All surveys are confidential and assist us in improving our service delivery.

However, please do not wait for a survey to be distributed before you voice your concerns or suggestions. Suggestions or complaints may be placed in the ‘suggestion box’ in the waiting area or discussed with the practice manager. All communications are completely confidential. We will make every effort to respond quickly to your suggestion.

Alternatively you can raise any concerns with the Health Care Complaints Commission by contacting them on
Level 12, 323 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
Tel: (02) 9219 7444
Email: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au

National Relay Service (NRS)

For patients with a hearing/communication impairment

Phone: 133 677

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)

For patients who speak languages other than English and require the services of an Interpreter

Phone: 131 450

Engaging with Other Services, Referrals and Scripts

Our practice regularly engages with local health services, such as specialists, allied health and hospitals. If required, your GP will provide sufficient information (referral letter) to plan and facilitate optimal care. It will be necessary to have a consultation with your doctor before a referral can be made.

Scripts will not be given over then phone. You will need to book an appointment with your doctor if you require repeat scripts to ensure you are receiving appropriate care.

Communication via email is inherently insecure, we cannot provide any assurance regarding the security of the information you communicate to us via email. We also cannot guarantee that the information you supply will not be intercepted while being transmitted over the internet. Accordingly, any personal information or other information which you transmit to us via email is transmitted at your own risk. For all patient enquiries we ask you contact reception directly on  (02) 6862 6668.

This clinic does not offer an after-hour service. For all urgent medical problems, please contact your nearest hospital. Parkes Hospital can be contacted on 02 6861 2400 or National Health Direct on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, please call 000.

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. You will be required to sign a release form should you need your medical records to be transferred. Please ask the receptionist if you would like a copy of our Privacy Policy.

GPs in the practice may be contacted during normal surgery hours. If the GP is with a patient, a message will be taken, and the reception staff will advise you when it is likely that the GP will return your call. Your call will always be put through to a clinical staff member in an emergency.

Communication via email is inherently insecure, we cannot provide any assurance regarding the security of the information you communicate to us via email. We also cannot guarantee that the information you supply will not be intercepted while being transmitted over the Internet. Accordingly, any personal information or other information that you transmit to us via email is transmitted at your own risk. For all patient enquiries, we ask you to contact reception directly at (02) 6862 6668.

If you are a regular patient, telehealth services may be available. Telehealth services are at the discretion of your GP. Please contact the practice for more information.

The doctors at Parkes General Practice need patients to register for MyMedicare for access to longer telephone consultations. MyMedicare is a government initiative to encourage continuity of care by nominating your clinic and doctor for your ongoing care. Medicare has added new billing items to allow for the provision of longer telephone consultations for MyMedicare registered patients only, and later this year other services will be limited to MyMedicare patients only. You can register via Medicare online, MyGov or the Medicare App. Forms are available at reception for manual registration if you have trouble registering online.

A personally controlled eHealth record is a secure online summary of your health information. You control what goes into it, and who is allowed to access it.

Your eHealth record allows you and your doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to view and share your health information to provide you with the best possible care.

An eHealth record gives you more control over your health information than ever before, placing you at the centre of Australia’s health system. Parkes General Practice will be participating in eHealth.

We ask where possible that you try to obtain your prescriptions during your consultation. 

If you need repeat prescriptions, we ask that you make an appointment to see your doctor so that the medical condition for which the scripts are written can be checked.