Our Frequently asked Questions
We are a mixed billing Practice. Pensioner, current concession card holders and children under the age of 16 will still continue to be bulked-billed. Walk-ins are recommended and appointments are also welcome. Patients can choose the tenant doctor they want to see or request the first available. If the chosen tenant doctor is not available, the next free tenant doctor will be allocated. Emergency cases will have first priority. People with appointments also get priority. Longer consultations are available if needed: please inform the receptionist if you require extra time.
General practice consultation, routine check ups, workers compensation, minor surgery, antenatal share care, pap smears (when available), pregnancy tests, medical termination counselling, childhood and general vaccinations, skin checks, baby clinic, child health, diabetes testing, pathology collection, women’s and men’s health, chronic disease management plans, health assessments, indigenous health chronic disease management, insertion and removal implant, iron fusions, liquid nitrogen freezing therapy, , travel injections including accredited yellow fever vaccination, medical examinations for pre-employment and drivers’ licences, work related injuries.
Specialist services: Audiology, Physiotherapy, Pathology, Dietitian, Psychologists, and Skin Checks are available by appointment .
If you or your family require an interpreter, we can organise this for you. Please let us know prior to your appointment booking. Alternative, you can contact the translating and Interpreting Services on 131 450 directly. If you are hearing impaired and require an AUSLAN interpreter, we can also organise for you.
It is important that you see your regular doctor for your scripts and referrals. However, subject to certain terms and conditions, you may be able to organise your scripts or referral over the phone. If your doctor does write a script or referral for you without a consultation, then there may be a charge of $20.00 for this services and a delay of 48 hours.
As from 1st July, 2024 Forest Mall Medical Centre has implemented mixed billing. Pensioners, current concessional card holders and children under the age of 16 are still billed under Medicare. Our standard consultation fee is $60 (normal weekday hours) or $75 (weekends and public holidays) Please refer to our Practice Fees Consultation Poster at front reception desk, along the front foyer and entrance corridor. The fees for medical examination and pre-employments may vary. The receptionist will advise you of the fees beforehand. Payment is required before the consultation.
Patients are encouraged to return to the surgery to discuss their results (pathology, radiology etc) particularly if the treating doctor has requested them to do so. Even if initial tests are normal further testing or treatment may still be required. However, should there be any abnormality with the results; the receptionists will contact the patient via telephone or registered mail depending on the urgency. Please promptly inform the reception staff if you change your phone number or address to facilitate a more efficient recall system. All patients of the practice will automatically be on our national/state/local/recall system for pathology results and health promotion, if you do not want to be on any of these reminder systems please let your doctor know so that we can remove you from the specified systems.
Blood collection services are available between 8:00am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday, Saturday from 8:00am – 1.00pm . Patients do not need to make appointment for this service as long as you have a valid pathology form with you on arrival. Please keep in mind the greatest demand for pathology services is during the first two hours of each day and there may be a waiting time during this period.
In most cases, it is preferred that patients return to discuss test results with the doctor face to face to protect patient confidentiality and to ensure that the results are explained properly. Please call the surgery after three days to see if your results are back and to make an appointment. Please note some results will be given over the phone but only by pre-arrangement with your usual doctor.
Tenant Doctors on the practice may be contacted during normal surgery hours. If the tenant doctor is within a patient a message will be taken and you will be advised by the receptionist when it is likely that a tenant doctor will return your call. Your call will be put through to the tenant doctor in the event of an emergency.
The Practice DO NOT use email as form of communication to our patients. Please phone the practice.
Home visits are only available for regular patients within a 5 km distance of the practice in exceptional cases only and are subject to the tenant doctor’s availability. Please call early in the day so a visit can be organised. A $100 fee applies. Home visit times are normally between after GP’s Surgery Sessions or at GP’s discretion . You will be advised of same.
Parking is centrally located in Westfield. There is 3 hour free parking period. The nearest entry to the Medical Centre is through P 2 Green Level Car Park. For your convenience we are located on Level 1 (Fresh Food Court Level) 2 stores down from Adam’s Apple and next to Tongli Asian Supermarket .
For urgent after hours medical attention when the surgery is closed, please call our after hours emergency service The Sydney Medical Service on (02) 8724 6300 or toll free 1300 466 347 (1300 Home GP)or proceed to nearest Hospital, The St George Public Hospital, Gray Street, Kogarah. If it is an emergency please call 000.
All medical records are confidential and are securely stored in a lockable cabinet out of public reach and by passwords on our computer system. Your personal information may be disclosed to other health professionals such as specialists for your continued quality of care. You may access your medical records with your tenant doctor as a consultation or you may request a copy where an administration fee of $38 will apply.
We are constantly striving to provide our patients with the best possible care and attention. If you have any problems, suggestions or complaints, we like to hear them. Please feel free to talk to the doctors or practice manager. There is a suggestion box for your feedback if you prefer to write to us. All concerns, suggestions and complaints are taken seriously. If you feel that you need to take the matter further and wish to discuss it outside the surgery there are several options available eg. Health Care Complaint Commission website: http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au ,or by mail: Locked bag 18 Strawberry Hills, 2012.
Remember our Team of
Professionals is committed to the Forest Mall Medical Centre Policy to
provide the highest standard of MedicalServices.
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 000
Sydney Medical Service: 8724 6300
St. George GP After-Hours Service: 9553 0795
Poisons Information: 13 1126
Quitline (13 QUIT): 13 7848
Sane (Mental Illness) Helpline: 1800 187 263
