Busselton Medical Practice - Patient Information

After Hours

For after hours emergencies call 000 for an ambulance or go directly to Busselton Hospital. To speak to the practice doctor on duty, phone the practice mobile on 0417 935 523. The after hours number is for urgent attention only. For routine appointments or enquiries, please phone the practice during normal business hours on (08) 9752 1133.

Patient's Rights and Responsibilities

Busselton Medical Practice provides primary health care through a respectful partnership with our patients. This document seeks to outline the rights and responsibilities of patients who attend our practice.

1. Access to care:

Patient Rights:

To access care in a timely fashion from competent and appropriately qualified staff
Wherever possible to see the doctor of your choice
To bring a friend, relative or support person to the consultation
To have access to a qualified interpreter when there are language barriers

Patient Responsibilities

To advise the practice of any changes to your address, contact details or preferred means of communication
To attend booked appointments on time or if unable to attend to give the practice notification as early as possible
To understand that the unpredictability of medical practice means that sometimes you may need to wait for medical attention or treatment depending upon clinical priorities
Accept that some services may not be able to be provided at the practice and you may need to be referred elsewhere
To pay your doctors fees and practice charges as billed

2. Safety:

Patient Rights

To establish an ongoing relationship with your doctor and receive care that is of high safety standards
In the circumstance of complications or an adverse event there will be an open disclosure from the practice and the opportunity to discuss the event
Where any procedure or treatment is planned, to be given a clear explanation of risk and potential side effects

Patient Responsibilities

To give your doctor as much information as possible about your health, past illnesses, allergies and medications including alternative or complementary therapies
To tell your doctor if you have trouble understanding or following treatment advice
To answer questions about your health frankly and honestly and tell your doctor if there is a situation that may impact negatively on your health
To discuss any particular concerns you may have about a proposed treatment or procedure.

3. Respect:

Patient Rights

To receive care that respects your culture, beliefs, values, age, gender, abilities, sexuality, marital and career status

Patient Responsibilities

To conduct yourself in a way that respects the dignity and well being of staff and other patients
To let your doctor know if you have specific needs including those about your culture and beliefs so that they can respond appropriately

4. Communication:

Patient Rights

To be informed about the services offered at Busselton Medical Practice and the cost and waiting times involved
For all staff to communicate with you in a respectful manner that you understand

Patient Responsibilities

To be open and honest with your doctor and ask questions when you do not understand
To have a support person if needed or request a professional interpreter if you do not speak or understand English well

5. Participation:

Patient Rights

To be given the opportunity to participate in the discussion and decision-making about your care, including the treatment options and health care providers.
To provide informed consent before treatment begins and to be able to withdraw consent or refuse treatment at any stage
To seek a second opinion if you require it before proceeding with therapy

Patient Responsibilities

To tell your doctor if you plan to seek a second medical opinion
Supply a copy of any relevant legal documents relevant to your care such as enduring power of attorney or guardianship and advanced health directives
To accept the consequences of your own informed decisions about your treatment
To comply with prescribed treatment or inform your doctor that you have not done so or do not intend to do so.

6. Privacy:

Patient Rights

Confidentiality of communications and records pertaining to your health care. A copy of our privacy policy is available on request
For you to gain access to your medical records under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

Patient Responsibilities

To understand that to provide you with good health care your doctor or the practice may need to share your information with other health professionals
To accept that in certain circumstances such as with notifiable infectious diseases or suspected child abuse your doctor by law must report this to the relevant authorities
To be treated in surroundings that ensure privacy appropriate to your care

7. Comment, feedback and complaints:

Patient Rights

To have access to the practice’s Comment, Complaints and Compliments process and to have your feedback considered openly, transparently and without compromising your clinical care

Patient Responsibilities

To solve any problems directly with your GP
To give feedback in a respectful way
To inform practice staff if you have a concern so that we may respond to it.

Emergencies

Phone Calls

Practice Nursing Staff

We are actively involved in screening programs for many common disorders; some of these tests may be important to you. It is important to see your doctor annually for a checkup. At times we may email relevent health information to patients.

Tests are available to screen for:

Blood pressure
Diabetes
Cholesterol
Breast Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Skin Cancer
Colon and rectal cancer
Prostate Cancer

Travel Medicine

If you are planning overseas travel, consider booking a consultation with one of our doctors to discuss how to stay healthy and prevent illness on your journey. In many overseas countries there is a risk of contracting potentially serious illnesses which can be effectively prevented through vaccination before you travel. Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Cholera are a few examples

Feedback & Complaints

Privacy