Welcome To Wallsend Family Medical Centre
Wallsend Family Medical Centre is situated in the heart of Wallsend, our surgery has been established for over 100 years, making it one of the oldest medical practices in the Newcastle region. The beautiful building has always been a medical practice.
Initially co-owned by a team of four doctors, Dr Arain joined the surgery in 1972 and became a partner in the practice in 1974 Another partner left the practice in 1975, while Dr E.M. Thomas retired in 1990, leaving the surgery with only two doctors with Dr V. Mehta also moving on.
Dr Arain became the sole owner of the practice in 2001 his long association with Wallsend 7 Day Medical Centre has seen him care for several generations of the same families, many of whom continue to travel to the surgery from around the Hunter Region so they can retain Dr Arain as their family GP. He has developed a loyal following among patients, who appreciate his trusted and professional manner and his genuine concern for their healthcare.
Dr Arif Meeran obtained the practice from Dr Arain in October 2019. Dr Meeran is a local and has been working in the hunter region for many years. He has a young family attending local schools. His most recent experience in emergency medicine and acute care along with his experience in general health care has given him a great understanding of the communities needs. He has an interest in Mental Health, Men’s health and paediatric care. The practice has again been put in good hands and the future plans will ensure the ongoing health care support of the community at this historic practice.
INFORMATION
Patient care is always our number one priority at Wallsend Family Medical Centre. While the surgery is getting busier every day, and patient needs are increasing, we have implemented a process to try to accomodate unexpected and urgent cases on the same day.
If you are very ill and have urgent reason to see one of our Doctors, contact the surgery and explain the situation to one of our receptionists. If we have no appointments available, staff member will take your details and the reason for the urgent appointment and discuss the situation with our doctors, who will do their best to occomodate your needs on the same day.
Our aim is to deliver a positive experience for patients every time they visit the surgery. We ask for your assistance with this aim by attending the surgery at your given time, and informing us of the need to cancel any appointment to another patient, While also keeping waiting times to a minimum.
AFTER HOUR SERVICE
If you have any emergency call 000.
Patient’s can also obtain medical attention at John Hunter or Calvary Mater hospital Emergency Department.
After hours medical attention is available by calling the a GP ACCESS after- hours in 1300 130 147.
COMMUNICATION POLICY
There are multiple ways in which the practice communicates with patients and third parties.
Communication can occur through the following channels:
Face to face:
This can be via consultation with doctor or nurse or interactions with other staff members. i.e: Practice Manager or reception staff.
Walk IN Patients:
Walk-in patients will be offered an appointment if available. If we are unable to see you in timely manner, our receptionist will discuss with you services available to you int the area.
Telephone:
Patients can contact the practice via telephone between 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. As the first point of contact, our receptionists are trained to triage patient’s according to needs. Receptionists may need to ask questions to determine each patient receives the appropriate care. At times you may also be referred to speak to one of the practice nurses to determine the urgency or best course of actions for your issues or concerns.
Phone calls from patients requesting to speak to the doctor will not be put through at the time of the call. This is to minimise the disruption to the doctor is usually in consultation with another patient. If required Dr will return your call another time. These calls may often be transferred to the nurse.
FAX:
faxes received that are related to the patient are given to the doctors to review and actioned. These are then scanned into the patient’s file. Any urgent faxes are immediately given to the doctor.
Email:
email is not secure form of communication and we do not us without patient consent. Patients must be aware any communication they direct to the surgery via email is also NOT secure and confidentiality can not be guaranteed and we do not recommended this form of communication.
Home Visits:
Home visits are available within the area.
Access to Medical Records
You have the right to access health information about yourself that we hold in our medical records. A charge of 30$ applies to any request to copy of full medical record regardless of purpose. If you want part of your medical record transferred your doctor will charge you for their time. Please speak to our reception staff for more information.
Test Results
You are requested to ring the surgery to obtain results of any tests that have been organised for you. If results are abnormal, you will receive a text message on your mobile phone advising you to make appointment with your doctor. If you do not have the facility, we will call on your telephone or write you a letter. For your safety, our reception staff has been advised not to discuss any results over phone apart from doctors’ comments.
Zero Tolerance
Unacceptable behaviours will result in ban from this practice and premises.
Using bad language or swearing at practice staff in person or over telephone.
Any physical violence (or gestures of physical violence) towards any staff members.
Verbal abuse towards the staff in any form including insults and threats.
Smoking inside practice.
Failure to leave consultation room when asked.
Privacy Data Quality:
We are committed to providing comprehensive General practice care for our patients. All consultations and medical records are kept strictly confidential, adhering to our privacy policy and RACGP guidelines. A full copy of our privacy policy is available upon request.
We will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, up to date and relevant. For this purpose, our staff will ask to confirm that personal details are correct when patients attend a consultation and amend if necessary.
Online Booking:
Our practice has an online booking system, where you can book your appointment online and you will get an SMS reminder for your upcoming appointment. If you don’t want notifications, you may optout at any time by notifying us.
Suggestions and Complaints:
We are always striving to improve the standard professional service to our patients. Please advise us of any suggestions you may have that could enhance the quality of service provided.
It is also nice to hear of any compliments you may have. We would also like to know immediately of any complaints so that appropriate steps can be taken to remedy the situation.
Please address your complaints, suggestions, or compliments to: Practice Manager.
Wallsend Family Medical Centre PO BOX 278
WALLSEND NSW 2287
Or
Health Care Complaint Commission
Locked Mail Bag 18
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
PH: 1800 043 159