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Please check the clinic news updates page of this website for information as to our new building updates, relocation and temporary clinic procedures.

Caring Medical Centre is a bulk billed clinic for eligible Medicare or DVA holders, which aims to provide rural GP health care in a city environment.

We endeavour to give patients the time and support they need, as much as possible.

****************** DEAR PATIENTS PLEASE NOTE: ******************
As of 1st January 2023, due to Dr Gabrielle’s increasing nursing home commitments, Saturday hours have changed and will now be 4pm -10pm.

If you have ANY COVID type symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, fever, headache or sore throat please assume you are contagious. Please also understand, that at the direction of management, our reception staff have set protocols they must adhere to in order to keep everyone safe from potential infections including our Drs and staff so that we can continue to provide ongoing care to our patients. NO MASK, NO ENTRY!

WE HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR RUDENESS, ABUSE OR AGGRESSION TOWARDS OUR STAFF AND YOU WILL BE REQUESTED TO LEAVE THE PRACTICE AND WILL NOT BE SEEN.
Thank you for your understanding, patience and adherence to our procedures.

If this is an emergency or if in doubt please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

WE ARE NOT A WALK IN CLINIC AND WE HAVE LIMITED CAR SPACES AVAILABLE. DO NOT JUST TURN UP!!

Dr Joanne Woodford is our daytime doctor. Her hours are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, from 10am - 2pm. Call during her working hours to book an appointment. As Dr Woodford's appointments are limited and she endeavours to give everyone the time they need, please be aware that she does book up quickly and waiting lists may apply. Urgent bookings for serious illness or accidents will be given priority where possible. If it is more appropriate for you to go to hospital, the receptionist will check with the Dr and let you know the decision.

Dr Gabrielle's appointment system works on a different model of care for our after-hours General Practice.
Caring Medical is primarily a call up service - you call up, and we place your name on the list when Dr Gabrielle's book is open at time of her clinic commencing. Please note: we do not pre-book Dr Gabrielle's appointments.
We triage sick people, small children and elderly patients and take into account their circumstances.
Thus, if you have a recent accident or serious health issue, let the receptionist know when you ring.
If it is more appropriate for you to go to hospital, they will check with the doctor and let you know the decision. Otherwise, they will get you in as soon as possible.
We are extremely busy within that first hour, so should your call not be answered, keep trying. Due to this, we are often booked well into the late hours of the shift within that first hour. If you are happy to stay awake, then we will see you during that clinic. Basically, we keep seeing people until they stop wanting to come.
If you are unable to attend your appointment when we call back, the receptionists will negotiate a time that better suits you. Our phone system transfers over at 9.45pm and no incoming phone calls will be answered.

We try to minimise numbers in the waiting room - this way, you can get on with your busy life, there is less risk of cross infection from other people in the waiting room and everyone doesn't get grumpy being in the same small space. However, there will be times when people take longer than expected or emergencies come in. All we ask is that if you want us to give you as much time and attention as you need, you try to be patient with others needing extra time and attention as well.

AFTER HOURS:
We are an after-hours Medical Centre, with hours as listed. Should you ring at other times, the phone will be directed to our message system. There is no facility to leave us a message. A recorded message will notify you of our hours and any changes in our opening hours or days for the month, emergency contact details and other important information. If your call goes to this system during our operating hours, it means the receptionist is busy and unable to take your call. Please hang up and try again. Home Doctor Service is available should you wish to call them on 13 SICK.

If this is a medical emergency or if in doubt please call 000 immediately.

COVID-19 …. January 2023 NOTICE - NO MASK, NO ENTRY
Please be advised that it is Caring Medical Centre's policy, that ALL persons entering the clinic (as either patients or visitors) MUST wear a face mask which covers their nose and mouth. Our staff are required to wear masks or face shields unless medically exempt.
As many of our patients are vulnerable to potential COVID19 infection, and as our Drs visit nursing homes and vulnerable, house bound people, we do ask that while you are in the surgery that you wear a mask at all times. Should you choose not to wear a mask, are medically exempt or have forgotten one please do not enter but let staff know you are here and wait outside or in your car and we will call you in at your turn.

Caring Medical Centre respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Country across our region. We also acknowledge and pay our respects to the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal Traditional Custodians, and their elders past, present and emerging and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.