Frequently Asked Questions
Parking is available on-site and street parking. There is also an abundance of parking across the road in the Rutherford Shopping Centre.
There are disabled toilets available within the surgery.
Our services operate as Fee for service.
Applicable fees paid may have a Medicare Rebate which we can be lodged at the time of consultation and Medicare reimbursements occur within 24 hrs.
Please contact our rooms for specific details of the fee structure for each of Lower Hunter Medical services.
As part of our commitment to ongoing education, medical students from The University of Newcastle will be observing the Practice from time to time. You will be advised prior to the commencement of the consultation and if you would prefer them not to be present you will have the opportunity to decline their presence in your consultation.
AHPRA, AAPM, AMA, RACP
Reminders
We all lead busy lives and we understand that sometimes it is difficult to remember when regular appointments are due. Staff from Lower Hunter Medical (LHM) will contact you via phone, sms, email, or post to remind you of your appointment.
Patient Forms
All new outpatients are required to complete a new patient form, this is an online form and needs to be completed prior to your appointment.Please see link for these forms here:
- Medical Outpatient New Patient Form (Outpatient)
- Surgical Support Service: Pre-op New Patient Form (Outpatient)
- Neurodiagnostic New Patient Form (Outpatient)
- Diabetes Hub New Patient Form
- Preoperative New Patient Form
If required, you may be asked to undertake a set of pathology or radiology prior to your appointment to assist with your assessment.
The doctor will discuss your results with you at your follow-up appointment, and copies of all results will be sent through to your GP.
You may be contacted by the surgery for urgent results.
There may be times when you feel you need to speak to your doctor. In the interests of privacy and optimal patient care your doctor may not be available at the time of your call.
Our friendly receptionists will take your details for your doctor to return your call. If the matter is urgent please advise reception.
If you believe you may need an interpreter or if you are hearing or visually impaired please speak to our friendly reception staff so we can organize an interpreter or other appropriate services for you.
We are always keen to receive any feedback you may have in regard to our service or suggestions for improvement. Patient feedback forms are available for you to complete in the clinic or alternatively you can complete our online feedback survey.
At any time you can speak with one of our staff, or request to speak to our Practice Manager or your Doctor. Feedback can be emailed to admin@lowerhuntermedical.com.au or sent via post to 271 New England Highway, Rutherford NSW 2320.
Your complaint will be acknowledged immediately and dealt with in a professional and timely manner.
The Health Care Complaints Commission can be contacted on:
Locked Mail Bag 18
Strawberry Hills 2012
Telephone 1800 043 159
TTY 02 9219 7555
hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au
Lower Hunter Medical (LHM) has engaged Bespoke Technology to secure all information acquired for the purposes of patient care. Your consent is gained prior to the collection of data and patient clinical assessment. Your privacy and confidentiality are of paramount importance to our practice.
