We provide a comprehensive family medical service – quality care in a friendly environment.
Riverside Family Practice is an Accredited Practice with General Practice Accreditation
After Hours if it is an emergency - if your injury or illness is critical or life threatening call triple zero 000. To speak to a registered nurse call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
Confidentiality is a high priority and is maintained at all times.
Appointments
The surgery uses an appointment system. Please phone to make an appointment.
The Practice now uses HotDoc for online appointments. You can download the HotDoc app on your mobile device or visit the Practice website riversidefp.com.au and follow the prompts.
Routine appointments are 10-15 minutes (Level B consultation).
Long appointments are > 20 minutes (Level C consultation) need to be booked in advance – to deal with one problem at length or a number of issues.
Missed appointments. Appointments are valuable. Please notify us if you cannot attend for an appointment. If no contact is received then you will be billed for the appointment.
Telehealth
Telephone consults are available for regular patients who have been seen in the Practice within the past 12 months. Normal billing arrangements apply .
Forms eg Centrelink, Workcover, Drivers Licence Renewals IPTAAS etc. These forms must not be left for the doctor to complete – they must be completed at the time of consultation; additional time may be required during the consultation to complete forms and therefore a long appointment or a second consultation may need to be booked.
Urgent Problems are dealt with promptly. When you phone the surgery please tell us if you need urgent help.
Surgery Facilities
Wheelchair and ambulance access is available.
Fees and Billing Arrangements
Our consultation fees are displayed at Reception. As this Practice does not routinely bulk bill, we ask that fees be paid at the time of consultation.
EFTPOS and credit card facilities are available. Your Medicare rebate can be processed here on the day using the Easyclaim system.
Veterans Affairs card holders have their accounts directed to the Department.
Workcover accounts need to be paid at the time of consultation until the claim has been accepted. Then the accounts will be sent directly to the insurance company.
Medicals – there is no Medicare rebate for medicals and fees must be paid on the day.
Scripts For all repeat prescriptions it is necessary to make a (timely) follow-up appointment with your doctor in order to assess your condition. Don’t leave this until last minute. If you are taking regular medications you need to be organised to avoid running short or running out completely.
Home Visits
Requests for house calls for regular patients of the practice who are unable to get to the surgery, due to infirmity or illness, may be discussed with your doctor.
Nursing Homes
Dr Amey regularly visits all the Nursing Homes \Residential care facilities in Casino.
Patient Health Information
We have a wide range of brochures available for you regarding all aspects of healthcare. The information is evidence based and complies with the AMA Code of Ethics.
In addition to this we are developing our own website riversidefp.com.au which provides links to accredited sites.
Results
You may obtain some test results by telephone (on Doctor’s advice) - ask to speak with our Nurse; the reception staff do not handle personal medical information. Preferred time for telephoning our Practice Nurse is between 2pm and 4pm daily. Your Doctor will advise you at the time of your tests how to obtain the results – you may require a further appointment.
Telephoning Your Doctor
You may contact your doctor by telephoning during normal surgery hours. A message will be taken when doctor is with a patient and every effort will be made to return your call during or after surgery. Urgent calls, of course, will be put straight through.
Medical examinations eg for pre-employment will only be provided for regular practice patients – and must be booked through our Practice Nurse.
Chronic Disease Management
Riverside clinicians are expert at managing chronic health problems such as diabetes, asthma, depression, heart disease and are familiar with all government initiatives to assist with this eg: GP Management Plans, Mental Health Treatment Plans.
Immunisations
Routine childhood and Flu vaccine for the over 65 year olds are usually given by our Practice Nurse – you may book a nurse appointment for these.
Medical students (doctors in training)
Riverside Family Practice is committed to providing education for our future doctors and hosts medical students (trainee doctors) at intervals through the year. If a trainee is visiting the practice then there will be a notice at reception. You will be asked permission for the trainee to be present during your consultation. Confidentiality is a high priority and is maintained at all times. If you prefer the trainee not to be present (for whatever reason) then of course we will respect your wishes.
THE RIVERSIDE TEAM
Dr Cathryn Amey is our Principal GP and Practice owner. She is an accredited Registrar supervisor and keen educator. She holds a position of Conjoint Lecturer with University of Western Sydney and teaches medical students.
Carol Ramsey and Amanda Hale are our very experienced Registered Nurses with many years of hospital and community work between them.
At Riverside you may be seen by one of our nurses prior to your consultation with the doctor. She may check your blood pressure, weight, urine sample and is also able to assist with blood tests, dressings, giving results, immunisations, ECGs etc.
Bronnie, Rhonda Benton, and Trish are our receptionists who can answer your queries with accounts and appointments. They are also fully qualified in First Aid and accredited to give CPR.
Complaints Policy
Despite the best intentions complaints may arise. Our practice deals with complaints in a courteous and understanding manner. The staff member responsible for handling complaints and referring the complaint on to the appropriate doctor is our practice nurse. If the complaint is regarding one of our doctors, the complaint will be referred to Dr Amey. The Complaints Commissioner can be contacted on 02 9219 7444 or 1800 043 159 if necessary.