Our practice achieved full AGPAL accreditation at our 2019 assessment and will maintain this status by undergoing assessment every three years.
Accessing an accredited practice such as Golden Grove Health Centre gives assurance that every element of the facility has been checked for quality, which means better patient outcomes.

On July 1st 2014 a new Act came into force in South Australia which allows you to appoint up to three “Substitute Decision Makers” to make these treatment decisions on your behalf, but only in circumstances where you are unable to adequately communicate. This situation could arise at any time, and could be temporary or permanent – e.g. an accident, severe stroke, coma or dementia.

This new Act supersedes the Medical Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardian laws. However, existing appointments made under the old laws remain valid and in place unless new appointments are made under the July 2014 Act.

The decisions that “Substitute Decision Makers” make about your care are legally binding.

The link below is to the Advanced Care Directives website which explains:
• Advanced Care Directives
• Who can or cannot be appointed as Substitute Decision Makers (each of whom must consent to their appointment)
• The role of the Witness to the final document, and who can be a witness

The forms for the Advanced Care Directives can be completed online (and then downloaded for witnessing), downloaded from the
website as a blank document, or purchased in hard copy as a kit.

Note: The Information tab on the website provides a lot of information about what should be considered for inclusion in the Advanced Directives document.

The final document must be witnessed and the witness must ensure that the subject of the Advanced Care Directive fully understands what has been included and that there has been no coercion in what they have directed.

The Kit also includes a wallet card so that the “Substitute Decision Makers” can be identified and contacted should the need arise. The card can also help inform those caring for you that Advanced Directives are in place.

Having Advanced Care Directives in place is to be encouraged as it is a means to try and ensure that the care you receive is the care that you would wish to receive.
note : Advanced Care Directives do NOT cover financial affairs – an Enduring Power of Attorney should also be appointed to look after your financial affairs.

CLICK HERE for the link to the Advanced Care Directives website

Patients are reminded that if you don’t have Ambulance Cover, you will be liable for the cost of each ambulance call out. This may cost more than $1,207 per call.

Appointments can be made from 8.00am until close of surgery Monday to Saturday.

Urgent medical problems and emergencies will be triaged and assessed by the nurse and dealt with accordingly. It may require a hospital visit.

Please advise the staff when making your appointment if you require a longer time which would include postnatal checks, insurance paperwork, pre employment medicals, counseling appointment. If unsure you require a longer consultation, please discuss with our receptionist.

We require at least 3 hours’ notice if you need to cancel your appointment. Please notify us as early as possible so we can offer the time to another patient on our cancellation list.

If you do not attend your appointment or cancel with less than 3 hours’ notice, a non-Medicare refundable fee will apply. This fee must be paid in full before any future appointments can be offered.

Please note: Missed appointments without notice will be charged.

Pursuant to the Children’s Protection Act 1993, it is a legislative requirement that this practice has a ‘Code of Conduct’ in relation to children and a ‘Child Safe Policy’ under which it operates, as well as “mandatory reporting of actual or suspected child abuse procedure”.

These requirements reflect the broader community expectations that every child has a right to be safe from harm at all times and that they are cared for in a manner such that their well-being and future potential is protected at all times.

As a provider of health care, Golden Grove Health Centre is subject to mandatory reporting requirements. As such any person who works or is a volunteer in this practice is required by law to notify the Department for Families and Communities should they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child is or has been the subject of abuse or neglect, provided that the suspicion is formed in the course of that person’s work. The suspicion must be reported as soon as practicable after it was formed.

It is a legislative requirement that all current and future team members of the practice have had a valid working with children assessment conducted every 3 years. Contractors or volunteers (and students) who either work with children regularly within the practice or access their medical records are subject to the same requirement.

Golden Grove Health Centre abides by the AMA Code of Ethics.

As stated on the Australian Medical Association website:

“The AMA Code of Ethics articulates and promotes a body of ethical principles to guide doctors’ conduct in their relationships with patients, colleagues and society.
This Code has grown out of other similar ethical codes stretching back into history including the Hippocratic Oath.
Because of their special knowledge and expertise, doctors have a responsibility to improve and maintain the health of their patients who, either in a vulnerable state of illness or for the maintenance of their health, entrust themselves to medical care.
The doctor-patient relationship is itself a partnership based on mutual respect and collaboration.
Within the partnership, both the doctor and the patient have rights as well as responsibilities.Changes in society, science and the law constantly raise new ethical issues and may challenge existing ethical perspectives.
The AMA accepts the responsibility for setting the standards of ethical behaviour expected of doctors.”

This is a cash practice and patients are required to pay at the time of consultation. Payment is accepted by cash, credit card, EFT or cheque.
Your invoice will be sent directly to Medicare and you will receive your rebate into your bank account 

You will need to present your current Medicare Card and Health Care Card at each visit.

Workcover and Motor Vehicle claims will remain your responsibility until accepted by Workcover or Allianz. Please ask our receptionist for assistance, if you require help with submitting your claim. 

Please note – all accounts are the patients responsibility.

Account enquiries should be made during business hours 9.00am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Home visits are available for regular patients whose condition prevents them from attending the surgery. The visit will be conducted at a suitable time for the doctor.

There will be a fee charged for the visit.

Bulk billing may no longer apply to all consultations due to recent changes in Medicare funding.

Please take a moment to read our Medicare Billing Update to understand how this may affect your appointment and fees.

📄 [Download Medicare Billing Update]

Clinpath Laboratories Hours:
Monday – Friday8:00am – 1.00pm
Saturday 8.00am – 12.00pm
Sunday and Public Holidays Closed
Providing SA with pathology testing since 1985
When you visit your doctor with an illness, they may require more information regarding any changes in your body tissue, blood or other body fluids. They do this to provide the most accurate diagnosis and prescribe the best treatment available. Conveniently, this can be done on-site
What type of Pathology testing does Clinpath perform?
Clinpath provide the full range of pathology testing, they include –
• Microbiology – causes of infection
• Genetics – genetic abnormalities
• Biochemistry – check various body systems such as the liver or kidneys
• Histopathology – searches for abnormalities in tissues for things such as skin cancer
• Cytology – individual cells e.g. PAP smears
• Immunology – Immune system tests e.g. Allergy tests
• Toxicology – drug screening and testing
• Haematology – red and white cells, and blood clotting
Clinpath will accept ALL REFERRALS from doctors other than work here and from any pathology provider

For all xray and ultrasound results, an appointment with the Doctor is necessary.

You may have a phone consult for results, unless the doctor has requested you come in. Please book appointment when you have completed the required tests.
If prearranged with your doctor some results may be given over the phone with the nurse between 8.30am and 5.00pm on weekdays.

Due to medical legal reasons patients will need to make an appointment to see the doctor for prescriptions, referrals, sick certificate and Government forms.

Repeat scripts are not issued without an appointment, unless prior arrangement has been made by your doctor. The fee is $10.00 and we require 24 hours notice.

It may be possible to request an extension on a medical certificate, if this arrangement has been discussed with your doctor.

To help with your medical expenses it may possible to reduce your medical costs through Medicare and PBS Safety Nets. Once you or your family reaches a threshold limit set each year for relevant health or medication costs, the government will cover more of your costs. This happens automatically for individuals, but for families you will need to register.

The Surgery is open at the following times:

Monday to Friday – 8.00am – 6.00pm

Saturday – 8.00am – 1.00pm

Sunday & Public Holidays – Closed

After Hours

Please phone 08 8251 4111. You will automatically be diverted to the Locum service when the Surgery is unattended.

For urgent medical attention, you can attend:

Lyell McEwin Hospital – 08 8182 9000

Modbury Hospital – 08 8161 2000

Women’s and Children Hospital – 08 8161 7000

From time to time the practice will host a number of medical students as apart of their undergraduate studies.

This type of of education and training in community settings helps ensure that our future doctors will have the knowledge, experience and skills for the ‘real world’ of medical practice.

If you have any questions, please raise them with the Receptionist.

Should you visit the practice when your doctor has a student in attendance, you will be asked, prior to entering the consulting room, if you consent to the student being present during the consultation. Neither the student nor your doctor will be offended if you decline.

The Free Interpreting Service aims to provide equitable access to key services for people with limited or no English language proficiency.

Private medical practitioners can access the Free Interpreting Service to provide Medicare relatable services to anyone in Australia who is eligible for Medicare.

Why should medical practitioners engage an interpreter?
Australia has a rich cultural and linguistic diversity. The 2021 census revealed that over 5.5 million Australians speak a language other than English at home. Furthermore, Australians represent over 250 different ancestries and speak more than 350 languages.
Medical practitioners can engage a credentialed interpreter to communicate complex or technical information to patients with limited or no English language proficiency. This can help to ensure accuracy of communication, reduce confusion, save time, and protect practitioners from professional risk. It is particularly important when:
• seeking informed consent
• dealing with patients in a crisis
• dealing with complexity
• assessing patient competence.
Language services available to private medical practitioners
Private medical practitioners can use the Free Interpreting Service to access interpreting services delivered by TIS National, including:
• immediate phone interpreting
• Automated Telephone Interpreting Service (ATIS)
• pre-booked phone interpreting
• on-site interpreting
• video remote interpreting.
For more information, read Frequently Asked Questions for agencies and log in to TIS Online for our TIS Online user guides for agencies.
Eligibility
Under the Free Interpreting Service, private medical practitioners are defined as general practitioners, nurse practitioners, and approved medical specialists.
Private medical practitioners are eligible to access the Free Interpreting Service when delivering services that are:
• Medicare-rebatable
• delivered in private practice
• provided to anyone in Australia who is eligible for Medicare.
Practice support staff working with a private medical practitioner registered with TIS National can also access the service using the same client code.
The Free Interpreting Service can be used for delivering health services, including but not limited to:
• arranging appointment times
• undertaking health consultations
• developing health plans
• providing medical test results.
The Free Interpreting Service cannot be used for:
• non-eligible allied health services
• patients who are not eligible for Medicare
Telephone translation 131 450
Auslan interpreter 1300 287 526

Our experienced team of Doctors provide a wide range of women’s health services, including:

• Family planning
• Cervical smear tests
• Routine gynaecological examinations
• Pregancy testing
• Termination counselling
• Breast examinations
• Mirena and Implanon