Firstly, we would like to thank all our patients for their understanding during this ever-changing COVID-19 situation. It has been a difficult time for everyone and ensuring the ongoing health and safety of our Doctors, staff and patients has been our constant priority.

All patients are now eligible to book telehealth consultations with our doctors. If there is a requirement for a doctor to examine a patient in person, this will be arranged as a further consultation. All telehealth consultations will be bulk-billed.

If you do require to come into the practice, please adhere to the following safety precautions:

• Follow social distancing rules when sitting in the waiting room (there are seats located in the walkway outside if you prefer)
• Notify reception of your arrival, however, please remain behind the yellow line when approaching the reception counter
• Use hand rub solution both when you enter and leave the surgery to prevent the spread of germs
• If you have flu-like symptoms – cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever – DO NOT attend the practice. Call first so we can advise appropriate action.

Our HotDoc online appointment system has been modified during this time. Only telehealth appointments can be booked. Either single, double or repeat script/referral appointment can be booked. These appointments will be attended to over the phone with your doctor.  Call 42852630 for all other appointments.

Again, thank you for your understanding as we all adjust to these changes.

If you have an urgent medical concern, please call 000 and request an ambulance.

Patients, Staff and Visitors – Measures we are taking to protect your health.

The Coronavirus is having a considerable affect on all Australians. This is causing disruption to our practice and our regular patient processes. We are committed to keeping our practice as safe and comfortable as possible for our patients, visitors and staff.

In order to ensure the most effective Infection Control and Prevention we have implemented the following criteria.

ALL Patients, Staff and Visitors entering or leaving our practice MUST use hand sanitiser on arrival and departure to reduce the spread of germs.

We are also taking additional measures to clean all contact surfaces at regular intervals throughout the day.

If you have the following symptoms Fever, sore throat, runny nose or cough. DO NOT ENTER the practice. Please call first and speak to one of our receptionists for further instructions or information.  Phone: 4285 2630.

Thank you for helping us to ensure that all our patients continue to receive the highest level of care during this difficult time.

AVAILABLE SOON

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program

We have been advised that the Government-funded influenza vaccines should become available around mid-late April 2020.

Our helpful reception staff will be happy to book an appointment for you once we have the vaccines in stock.

Stay up to date by checking back with us via our webpage, Facebook or Instagram.

For further information on this program visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/pages/flu.aspx

Please note that these vaccinations do not cover CORONA virus.

What you need to know

If you are a traveller from mainland China or Iran or think you may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, special restrictions apply to you. You must isolate yourself. This means you stay at home and do not attend public places, including work, school, childcare or university. For the latest advice on who needs to isolate, go to www.health.gov.au

While coronavirus is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness—not coronavirus.

How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus?

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet; cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser; and if unwell, avoid contact with others (touching, kissing, hugging, and other intimate contact.

How is this coronavirus spread?

The coronavirus is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:

• Direct close contact with a person while they are infectious; close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes, or touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.
• Most infections are only transmitted by people when they have symptoms. These can include fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness and shortness of breath.

What if I develop symptoms? If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) and fit the risk categories from travel or contact with a confirmed case, you should arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment. You must telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you may have been in contact with a potential case of coronavirus. You must remain isolated either in your home or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.

Who is most at risk of a serious illness? Some people who are infected may not get sick at all, some will get mild symptoms from which they will recover easily, and others may become very ill, very quickly. The people at most risk of serious infection are:

• People with compromised immune systems, such as people with cancer; elderly people; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; very young children and babies, and people with diagnosed chronic medical conditions.

How is the virus treated? There is no specific treatment for coronaviruses. Antibiotics are not effective, and most symptoms can be treated with supportive medical care.

Should I wear a face mask? You do not need to wear a mask if you are healthy, while masks can help prevent transmission of disease from infected patients to others, masks are not currently recommended for use by healthy members of the public for infections like coronavirus.

More information.

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au or https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources

Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

Information obtained from the Australian Government – Department of Health.

Applications have now closed for our role of Casual Medical Receptionist. THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to apply, or share our post on Social Media. Applicants selected for interview will hear from us shortly.

Casual Medical Receptionist Role

• Based in Balgownie Village, just 5 minutes north of Wollongong.
• Friendly, hard-working team passionate about delivering excellent patient care
• Casual hours; On-call Basis

The Role

We are seeking a friendly Medical Receptionist to join our team at Balgownie Village General Practice. This is a Casual role with variable hours and shifts, able to cover annual and sick leave at short notice as well as adapt with any changes in our doctors’ schedules. We are ideally after someone who can work between the practice hours of Monday – Friday 7.15am – 5.30pm.

Reporting to the Practice Manager and working alongside our other medical receptionists, you will be responsible for:

• Meeting and greeting patients, guiding them through the registration process and providing superior customer service
• Scheduling appointments efficiently and pro-actively managing the appointment book to ensure effective use of our doctors’ time
• Either opening or closing the practice as needed
• Entering patient data, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality
• Processing and receipting all payments
• Managing phone and email queries
• Assisting in maintaining practice cleanliness by tidying up consulting rooms before and after patient use and at the end of the day
• Providing general administration duties as required
• Participating in staff meetings and training

You are:

• Customer-focused and make patient care the top priority
• Pro-active; continuously seeking ways to improve and streamline processes
• A strong team player who positively contributes to work culture
• Approachable, reliable and dependable
• Willing to go the extra mile when required
• Authorised to work in Australia

In addition, you have:

• Demonstrated receptionist experience in a medical practice, preferably a general practice (although other related experience will also be considered such as dental, optometry, pharmacy experience)
• Excellent computer skills including medical practice software (e.g. Medical Director & PracSoft would be highly advantageous); knowledge of MS Word; scanning and uploading incoming patient information to patient records
• Working knowledge of medical billing procedures and the ability to process Medicare and other payments
• A basic understanding of general practice and surgical MBS item numbers
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Solid time management and organisational skills
• Mature and sensitive approach when dealing with the patients
• A “can do” attitude
• Completion of an accredited medical receptionist course/knowledge of medical terminology or equivalent is desirable but not essential.

Please note that previous experience as a medical receptionist is an absolute requirement for this role. Thank you.

To apply for this role, please submit your CV to marina@bsfmedical.com.au or Contact Marina on 4285 2630.  Only successful applicants will be contacted for interview.

Corona Virus – Information for Patients

There has recently been an outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in the area of Wuhan City, Hubei province in China.

If you believe you may have come into contact with the virus; have travelled overseas (especially to China since December 2019); have come into contact with persons who have travelled overseas or in this area; or have come into contact with persons known to or suspected of having the virus; you should contact your local GP urgently and advise reception staff immediately upon arrival at the practice rooms.

If you develop a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel to an affected area, you should immediately isolate yourself from other people. Contact your GP or your emergency department or call the healthdirect helpline 1800 022 222 and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

It is important to phone ahead so that the practice or emergency department can make appropriate preparations and protect others.

When seeking medical care wear a surgical mask (if available) otherwise ask for one when you arrive and practice simple hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow and washing your hands thoroughly.

Our staff can provide patients with a mask on arrival in our practice.

Patients who are concerned out-of-hours or have severe respiratory symptoms should call 000 for an ambulance or present to their nearest hospital. Please ensure that you advise the hospital or Ambulance officers if you suspect Coronavirus.

We thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

The Doctors and Staff at Balgownie Village General Practice would like to wish our Patients, Allied Health Partners and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Please note our modified opening hours for the Christmas and New Year Period.

In the event of an emergency please contact 000 or visit your nearest hospital.

Beside our practice times, the Illawarra Radio Doctor can assist with out of hours doctor’s visits phone:  4228 5522. See their opening hours below:

Christmas/New Year Opening Hours Balgownie Village General Practice

Open	Monday 23rd December, 2019	7.30am to 5.00pm
Open	Tuesday 24th December 2019	7.30am to 12 midday
Closed	Wednesday 25th December, 2019	Christmas Day
Closed	Thursday 26th December, 2019	Boxing Day
Open	Friday 27th December, 2019	7.30am to 2.30pm
Open	Monday 30th December, 2019	7.30am to 5.00pm
Open	Tuesday 31st December, 2019	7.30am to 12 midday
Closed	Wednesday 1st January, 2020	New Year’s Day
Open	Thursday 2nd January, 2020	7.30am to 5.00pm
Open	Friday 3rd January, 2020	7.30am to 5.00pm

Southern IML collection centre within our practice will be open as follows:

Open	Monday 23rd December, 2019	7.30am to 11.30am
Open	Tuesday 24th December 2019	7.30am to 11.30am
Closed	Wednesday 25th December, 2019	Christmas Day
Closed	Thursday 26th December, 2019	Boxing Day
Open	Friday 27th December, 2019	7.30am to 11.30am
Open	Monday 30th December, 2019	7.30am to 11.30am
Open	Tuesday 31st December, 2019	7.30am to 11.30am
Closed	Wednesday 1st January, 2020	New Year’s Day
Open	Thursday 2nd January, 2020	7.30am to 11.30am
Open	Friday 3rd January, 2020	7.30am to 11.30am

 

For other Southern IML Centres, see the website

Christmas/New Year Opening hours Illawarra Radio Doctor Ph: 4228 5522

Open	Wednesday 25th December, 2019	Christmas Day – 24 hours
Open	Thursday 26th December, 2019	Boxing Day – 24 hours
Open	Friday 27th December, 2019	6pm to 6am following day
Open	Saturday 28th December, 2019	12 midday to 6am Sunday
Open	Sunday 29th December, 2019	24 hours
Open	Monday 30th December, 2019	6pm to 6am following day
Open	Tuesday 31st December, 2019	6pm to 6am following day
Open	Wednesday 1st January, 2020	24 hours
Open	Thursday 2nd January, 2020	7.30am to 5.00pm
Open	Friday 3rd January, 2020	7.30am to 5.00pm

 

Following a recent influx of new patients for our practice, we are pleased to announce that we are now able to re-open our books for new patient bookings.
We currently have one doctor in our practice taking on new patients – Dr Madhuri Vandara.
If you would like to register as a new patient with our practice, please contact our helpful reception staff to book an appointment, or you may download a copy of the registration forms from our website and drop them in directly to make your initial consultation booking.
For more information click the links regarding our services, doctors, nurses, fees and in-house pathology service

In the case of an emergency, call 000 and ask for an ambulance.