About HEMAC General Practice
We are a team of medical and allied health practitioners aiming to bring the best and most comprehensive medical care to our patients and their family. We will treat you as we would like to be treated as patients, to be sensitive to your needs, and to be competent and at the forefront of medical knowledge and skills so as to bring out the best of your health. We believe and practice a holistic approach to your care.
We strive to provide as many health services as possible under one roof to provide convenience and simplicity to our patients. Hawthorn East Medical Clinic offers GP, specialists and allied health consultations. There is also a pathology collection centre in house.
Your every need is taken care of.
GP Services at HEMAC
General medical consultations, immunisations, travel medicine and vaccinations, family planning, pap smears, pregnancy tests, ECG, health assessments, pre-employment medicals, heart checks, care plans, GP management plans, diabetes, counselling, nutritional advice, skin checks, minor procedures, children’s health, women’s and men’s health checks, asthma plans, referrals, family health, psychologist, osteopath, audiology are just some of the services we have available.
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Dermatology and Skin Cancer Checks
- Family Planning
- Antenatal and Shared Care
- Paediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Men’s Health
- Sports Medicine
- Nutritional Advice
- Preventative Healthcare
- Diabetic Care
- Approved yellow fever vaccine centre
- Chronic Disease management
- Team Care Arrangements
- Minor Surgery
- Executive Health
- Travel Medicine
- Vaccinations
- Mental Health
- Pre-Employment Medical Checks
- TAC Care / Referrals
- Work cover Care
- Injury Management
- Iron Infusion Procedure
- Implanon insertion and removal
Please speak to our receptionist about the services you require or your doctor about what may be concerning you.
HEMAC Provides:
A key component of successful asthma management is a well constructively written ‘Asthma Action Plan’ which is created not only in the home, by those living with asthma and the surrounding family but with your practitioners. According to the ‘National Asthma Council of Australia’, written asthma-action-plans are to the highest degree more impelling as an intervention than any other available. It has been shown that the use of the asthma-action-plans could potentially:
- Reduces non-attendance from work or school
- Reduces hospital admissions
- Reduces reliever medication use
- Improves lung function
Procedural dermatology is her main focus and interest. She has since worked with a very experience dermatologist who is a pioneer in introducing laser for skin conditions in Victoria. She also worked alongside cosmetic and plastic surgeons and continuously searching for optimal treatment to achieve the best outcome
Regular skin checks are carried out for early detection of skin cancers and melanoma. Any new or changing lesions are monitored. If suspicious lesions are detected they will either be biopsied or removed in the Surgery.
General dermatology care is also provided and this includes management of common skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, rosacea and psoriasis.
HEMAC Antenatal Care practitioners has an additional training in obstetrics, who is appointed by the local hospital to provide complete pregnancy care to public patients who are not going through a private obstetrician.
You will be seen by the Shared Care GP every month for the first six months, fortnightly for the next two months and then every week for the last month. They will arrange all necessary blood tests and ultrasounds.
You will be referred to the relevant hospital, where you will have about four visits during the nine months. This will be where delivery will take place, usually by a midwife, plus care for the baby and mother whilst in hospital. This way, both the hospital and your Shared Care practitioners are kept fully informed of your progress.
The benefits of this include your Shared Care GP being available at short notice, a convenient location to where you live or work with appointments available during lunch time or after work, follow-up care of both you and your new baby when you get home (including vaccinations) and most of all, continuity of care which encourages a trusting relationship to develop.
Pre-Pregnancy Counselling
At HEMAC, our practitioners recognise that pregnancy and planning can be a stressful event for some. This is why our Practitioners offer opportunities for pre-pregnancy counselling as well as the collection of relevant family history. This helps to identify any possible increased risks, and which testing needs to be performed to ensure adequate care, and preparation. We also provide information about the screening and diagnostic tests during pregnancy, and if necessary referrals to Genetic Services. Complete care and support with other implications such reproductive history, medical & and family history, current medications, diet and prenatal vitamins.
Post Natal Reviews
At HEMAC, our practitioners discuss how the delivery went, check wounds, whether you are coping with breastfeeding if you have opted to, Screen for Post-Natal Depression, discuss contraception, ensure your pap smears are up to date and update immunisations if necessary for the new mum. They also conduct a full examination of your new baby including baby weight, head circumference and administer first immunisation shots.
Female sexual problems
Many women can experience sexual problems from time to time. Consult with our female GP about some common female sexual problems that go on behind closed doors and how they can be treated.
Menopause
Most women will go through menopause sometime between the ages of 45 and 55, but each woman will experience menopause differently. Find out when it’s likely to start, common symptoms and how to relieve them, as well as possible long-term effects.
It is said by Healthinsite that for some, menopause or the ‘change of life’ can be an unsettling experience, with an averaging age of 52 years, however can occur anywhere from the 40′s to the late 50′s. Symptoms can vary from woman to woman but around 2/3 experience the common symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats. Come in and see our Practitioners as to which treatment is best for you. This could range from medications (Menopause Hormone Therapy – MHT changed from Hormone Replacement Therapy – HRT) to lifestyle and diet changes.
Incontinence
There are many risk factors for incontinence, such as pregnancy, childbirth, some medical procedures and ageing.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is most common over the age of 45, but it can affect women of any age. Learn how to recognise symptoms, about common treatments such as hysterectomy and chemotherapy, and how to cope if you have just been diagnosed.
Bowel Cancer
Less known is that bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death after lung cancer with 80 Australians dying each week from this condition. About 80 Australians are diagnosed each week with bowel cancer with over 14,000 being diagnosed annually. One in 18 men and 1 in 26 women are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Australia which is one of the highest rates in the World.
Bowel cancer develops from tiny polyps in the bowel. The risk increases with age over 50, in those with a family history, those with a past history of adenoma polyps and those with inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis.
Eating a healthy high fibre diet and exercising regularly reduces bowel cancer by 66% to 75%.Bowel cancer can be treated successfully if detected early but unfortunately only 40% of cases are detected early in Australia. Symptoms such as frank bleeding, change in bowel habit, anaemia and obstruction occur late.
Screening for microscopic bleeding is recommended in those aged over 50 and colonoscopy recommended from 40, or 5 years earlier than the youngest relative with bowel cancer, or in those aged over 40 with rectal bleeding. Consult our practitioners for assessment and referral to our network of Specialists.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer has decreased by over 33% since organized pap smears began in 1991 in Australia at 2 yearly intervals. It appears the introduction of the cervical cancer vaccine will significantly lower this even more. Our practitioners provide Pap smear service and we have a computerized recall system to remind you when your next check is due.
Period Problems
Suffering from heavy, painful or irregular periods? Does PMS affect your wellbeing? Our practitioners can help to treat common period problems and learn how to cope.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs include highly contagious diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, hepatitis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Our practitioners provide services for learn how to maintain good sexual health, how to spot symptoms, when to get tested, and how STIs are treated
Vaginal problems
Most women are concerned by vaginal problems at some stage. Whilst usually not serious, there are many different causes of vaginal problems including vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness, vaginal irritation and infection and vaginal thrush. Consult with our practitioners on how common vaginal issues and how they can be treated.
Vaginal Thrush
Thrush is a common condition that is caused by a type of fungal infection. It occurs in many areas of the body, but especially the vagina, anus and mouth. Consult with our practitioners on how it can be treated and can be prevented.
Breast Cancer Checks
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Australian women with a 1 in 9 lifetime risk. Over 14,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011.
The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. 75% of breast cancer cases occur in women aged over 50.The 5 year survival rate for women with breast cancer is 88%. It is important to have 2 yearly mammograms when aged over 40 and these are provided free by Breast screen to asymptomatic women. Our Female GP could help you to perform regular breast examination and to be inform any possible persisting changes.
Prostate Checks
In older men, prostate cancer is becoming more common, and of the majority of cancers, most prostate cancers are known to grow slowly according to the Cancer Council Australia. Although many men diagnosed with prostate cancer who do not have treatment will not suffer the known effects of cancers, they may have side effects from treatment. Seek advice from our male practitioners on the best options for you.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, means not being able to get or keep an erection that is sufficient for sexual intercourse. Many men have impotence at some time in their lives. It can come and go. Consult with one of our male practitioners about the best options for you.
Cholesterol Checks
Adopting healthy habits, such as eating a healthy balanced diet and exercising, will also help to prevent your cholesterol levels from becoming high in the first place.
It’s important to keep cholesterol in check because high cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
If you’re concerned about your cholesterol, speak to our one of our male practitioners.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, such as a heart attack, a stroke, heart failure or kidney disease.
There are often no symptoms or signs of high blood pressure – you can have high blood pressure and feel well. Therefore, it is important that you have regular blood pressure checks.
The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is by having it checked regularly by a health professional.
The following factors increase the risks of serious problems associated with high blood pressure:
- Smoking
- Having high blood cholesterol
- Being overweight
- Having diabetes.
Quit Smoking Advice & Planning
You may have attempted to give up smoking previously on your own and found it difficult to maintain. But, according to the ‘Quit Organisation’ recent research shows that two types of assistance that increase the likelihood of success; Direction from practitioners to help advise, coach and help manage the habits and emotions that are linked to smoking AND nicotine replacement products OR medications; which help with withdrawal symptoms. Our practitioners are genuine in the offer of care and providence of education to create a better lifestyle for you and for your family.
The key to correct management of these conditions is an accurate diagnosis. This requires a detailed history, competent examination and if necessary, selection of appropriate investigations. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, the precise management can be planned and carried out followed by the appropriate rehabilitation if necessary.
So, why not choose to do it with some friendly help from our Practitioners, involving goal setting, education on changing daily energy intake and energy expenditure for a higher rate of success?
It is seen as integral to the success of these campaigns that Practitioners be involved, to increase the primary care and due to the simple concept that a consultation with your local practitioner is usually the entry point into the healthcare system overall.
Our Practitioners are committed to not only treating individuals with any current ailments, but to be a part of the prevention programs to ensure our community receives the best in healthcare, and each patient is has the best options in prevention at hand.
Healthcare Assessments
Our practitioners we can provide health assessment that identifies the specific needs for your health condition and how those needs will be addressed by the healthcare system or skilled nursing facility. Our practitioners or nurses will provide evaluation of your health status by performing a physical exam after taking a health history. Health assessment is to provide evaluation of the health status of an individual along the health continuum and also range from preventative, to treatment, to palliative care in relation to the individual’s status on the health continuum.
Our practitioners are dedicated to providing our community with a Holistic approach to suit your needs. We offer General Health, Mental Health, Senior Health, Children’s Health and Family Healthcare Plans. All individually tapered to each need that may arise, and outcome that you want to achieve.
Diagnostic Testing
The five main reasons for a diagnostic test is to;
- Establish a diagnosis for our patients that present with symptoms
- Screen for a disease for our patient that have no symptoms
- Provide prognostic information for our patients with an already established disease
- Monitor the effect benefits or side effects for our patients on therapy
- Testing for our patient to confirm they are disease free
In order for our Practitioners to review probability or monitoring of our patients disease or screening, testing can either be completed in our rooms via ECG, Pathology Specimens or referrals to the outside associating clinics for MRI, X-ray or Ultrasounds.
Liquid Nitrogen
The use of Liquid Nitrogen is commonly used for effective treatments on warts; usually located on the hand, plantar warts, sun damaged skin areas, skin tags and cosmetic benign lesions. Usually effective after one treatment, there are instances of a repeat in 2-3 weeks.
Our practitioners also could provide:
- Excise skin lesions
- Minor Wound Suturing
- Insertion / Removal of Implanon
- Hepatitis A
- Polio
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Meningitis
- Diphtheria
We can also update immunity against:
- measles
- mumps
- rubella
- whooping cough
- Influenza including swine flu.
We advise on malaria prophylaxis and prevention and treatment of travellers’ diarrhoea.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), and can affect anyone.
Those travelling to developing countries are advised to be vaccinated, which are for long-term prevention of HAV infection and can be administered as young as 1 year old.
Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can also help prevent the spread of hepatitis A.
Polio
Polio vaccine is advisable for travellers intending to travel to Asia or Indian Sub-continents. Inject able Polio is also available those for those who are on chemotherapy and immune deficiency problems.
Typhoid
Typhoid is transferred by unclean food, water or ice amongst other products, which have been contaminated by the hands of the already infected carrier. Typhoid vaccine is by far the best protection for the travellers travelling to developing countries such as Asia, North America, Indian sub-continent, South East Asia and Africa.
Cholera
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness produced by infection of the intestine. According to the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention it is estimated 3-5 million cases and over 100,000 deaths occur each year around the world.
The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe. Approximately one in 20 (5%) infected persons will have severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these people, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. Vaccination before travel can help to prevent Cholera.
Meningitis
Meningitis is introduced by numerous bacteria and virus. Meningococcal meningitis is one of the more severe bacterial diseases, and can be deadly. The disease is transferred from person to person by direct contact and respiratory droplets (coughing and sneezing). Vaccination can help protect you against this form of disease when travelling to Asia and Africa.
Diphtheria
Tetanus and Diphtheria can happen in numerous countries and continues to be a cause of death. Tetanus is initiated by bacteria that are able to grow in insignificant skin wounds. Vaccinations against Diphtheria will safeguard you against this condition.
Malaria
The greatest approach to malaria prevention is constructed on two resistance oral prophylaxis medications or personal protection against malaria. Since malaria is widespread and possibly chloroquine resistant it beneficial to consult our Practitioners who can recommend the beneficial treatment based on individual travel plans to the Indian sub-continent or South East Asia.
Our Practice Nurses are immunisation accredited providers and continually attend update courses on the changing paediatric vaccination schedule.
Currently babies are immunised against Hepatitis B at the hospital on the day of their birth. They then have vaccinations at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months and then at 12 months, 18 month and 4 years of age.
Adolescents receive vaccinations primarily via their schools but catch up vaccinations can occur at the surgery.
Mental illnesses significantly affects feelings, thoughts, behaviour and interactions. Mental illnesses include depression, which affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia and drug and alcohol addiction.
Treatment can include counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, the over the counter medication St John’s Wort, prescribed medications, referral to a Psychologist or Psychiatrist and less frequently hospital admission.
If you would like further information on a pre-employment medicals, please speak with our Practice Manager who will organise this to suit your company needs.
This involves;
- Primary care of your injury,
- Observation and Review of your progression and results,
- Assessment of your work capacity
- Supply of certificates of Capacity to Work safe Agents
- Safe and appropriate prescriptions in accordance with Work safe pharmacy policy
- Referrals to other healthcare services including monitoring the effectively
- Assistance in return to work including liaison with your employer.
Our practitioners can provide effective injury management in co-ordination with employers, workers’ insurers, allied health and rehabilitation professionals.
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Our Practitioners
We continue to develop and supplement these services to support Good Health in our Community.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Medicare card, DVA card, pension card, student ID
- Have your Private Hospital Insurance information with you
- Reports, X-rays, MRI’s, CT scans etc and any other relevant information
- Referral letter if available
You don’t need to be a patient of our clinic to access the Allied Health Professionals as a private patient. If you are on a chronic disease management plan, your normal treating doctor can refer to our allied health providers under the medicare scheme or as a private patient.
If you are required to see a specialist you will require a referral. This is partly to try to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition, and also because Medicare pays higher rebates for specialist services if you have been referred.
Appointments can be made via our online booking system. For your convenient we advise to download the HotDoc app from our website. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred time. Emergencies will always be given priority. Our reception staff will attempt to contact you if there is any unforeseen cancellation, or your doctor has been called away. Longer consultation times are available and you can select this from our online booking options.
We ask if you are a new patient that you fill in our online registration form beforehand. The form can be found on our website or here.
After hours services are available for evenings and weekends for our Regular Patients Only. Please contact (National Home Doctor Service) 13 74 25 for an appointment outside of our consulting hours.
Newsletter / Information to Patients
HEMAC have a quarterly newsletter and issues will be available to download online, emailed or obtain a copy from the practice. Please contact Reception for further information. This newsletter will provide our patients with information on services, education, programs, latest developments for patients. Please note all patients are automatically registered to receive information from HEMAC from time to time. If you do not wish to receive this information please advise reception in writing by contacting info@hemac.com.au
Patient Test Results
All patient tests results will be provided by appointment with the doctor. No results can be given over the phone to patients. Please make an appointment at reception when having tests to ensure you have an appointment at a time convenient to you and your doctor for the results to be given. Tests usually take three days for results to be returned back to the Clinic. Please be advised the reception staff cannot provide you with any information regarding your results due to privacy legislation.
Emergencies
If the matter is an emergency please dial 000, or for afterhours services please contact 137425 or go to the emergency department of Epworth Hospital Richmond (4.8km) – enter via 34 Erin Street, Open 24hrs. Phone. 9426 6303 (fees apply) Box Hill Public Hospital (8.4km) – enter via 51 Nelson Road, Open 24hrs. Phone: 03 9895 3333.
Recall / Reminder System
To further improve our service to you, we have implemented a Patient Register for Preventative Activities. This is a reminder / recall system in which we contact the patient by either mail or phone for a follow up of appointments. Patients attending this practice will automatically be included on our reminder / recall register. Patients are requested to inform the Doctor, Nurse or Reception if they choose not to be included. You will need to sign a form if so, for us to keep on record. We also offer the opportunity for patients to initiate these reminders / recalls to be sent to them. Please speak to your doctor or nurse about arranging this. The purpose of the register is purely as a service to patients from this practice and confidentiality is ensured at all times. If you wish to opt out of our recall system please tell your doctor.
Referrals
Referrals to a specialist may be made during the consultation. Standard referrals are valid for one year so please ensure you book an appointment before your referral runs out.
Allied Health Services
If you are a patient of another clinic and you wish to see an allied health provider at HEMAC. You are free to do so. You do not need to be a patient of this clinic to see these providers. Speak to reception for further information. Allied Health Providers do charge a gap fee if under a Care Plan.
Feedback
We welcome all feedback from patients to our Clinic and love to hear about how we can improve the practice. We also have a patient feedback survey which is located at the front desk. All patient feedback is reviewed by the Practice Manager who will initiate the appropriate steps to follow up your complaint. An acknowledgement will be sent to you within 24 hours of your complaint being received. Alternatively you may speak with the practice manager in person or via phone on 9078 9997.
Despite our best intentions, complaints may arise. Our practice deals with complaints in a courteous and understanding manner. Perceptions of what is reasonable and fair can change when patients are unwell or anxious. Patient satisfaction affects health outcomes and our practice acknowledges that patient complaints are an important source of customer feedback. If you have a complaint please contact the Practice Manager at the Clinic on 03 9078 9997 or via email at info@hemac.com.au.
Health Information and Privacy
Your medical record is strictly confidential. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff.
Our practice uses a computerised medical record system to record your notes and personal information.
Transfer of Medical Records
If you wish to transfer your health record to another service provider please ask your new provider to send HEMAC a transfer of medical files form signed by you. Alternatively, if you would like HEMAC to obtain records from another service please see reception for a transfer of medical information application form.
Please note that some clinic’s may charge an administration fee to transfer your records. There is a fee HEMAC charge for any transfer of information to another practice. If you require a paper copy of your medical file, a fee is payable for photocopying and administration time. This will be advised at the time of the request as will depend on the size of the medical file.
Telehealth consultations are an alternative option to physical consultations. Telehealth allows you to get the health care you need, where and when you need it. Telehealth consultations are not only convenient, they also ensure the safety of others by reducing the spread of illness. This is important in circumstances where you need to self-isolate.
Telehealth appointments are booked in the same way as you would book a usual face-to-face appointment. You can call our team and book a telehealth appointment time with your doctor, or you can book an appointment online at a time that suits you best.
Any of our current patients, who have seen their doctor in the last 12 months are welcome to request a telehealth call with any of our doctors.
If you’re a new patient, you’ll need to see one of our doctors for your first appointment in the clinic and can then use our telehealth services.
Your doctor will call you at your appointment time.
Policy for managing patient health information-
- is based on The Handbook for the Management of Health Information in Private Medical Practice published in November 2002;
- is consistent with the National Privacy Principles for the Fair Handling of Personal Information in the Federal Privacy Act 1988 as amended; and
- takes into account legislation pertaining to privacy in the ACT, NSW and Victoria.
While the policy focuses on the management of the patient’s health record, it also relates to other recorded information, for example Medicare data, billing and accounting records, pathology and radiology results, medical certificates and letters to and from hospitals and other doctors
Privacy Personal health information is defined as information concerning a patient’s health, medical history, or past or present medical care; and which is in a form that enables or could enable the patient to be identified.
It includes information about an individual’s express wishes concerning current and future health services.
All GPs and practice staff will ensure that patients can discuss issues relating to their health, and that the GP can record relevant personal health information, in a setting that provides visual privacy and protects against any conversation being overheard by a third party.
Staff will not enter a consultation room during a consultation without knocking or otherwise communicating with the GP.
Staff, registrars and students will not be present during the consultation without the prior permission of the patient.
Patient access to their personal health information Under privacy legislation provisions all patients have the right to access their health information stored at the practice. The treating GP will provide an up to date and accurate summary of their health information on request or whenever appropriate.
Any information that is provided by others (such as information provided by a referring medical practitioner or another medical specialist) is part of the health record and can be accessed by the patient.
Requests for personal health information and medical records by other medical practices Access to accurate and up to date information about the patient by a new treating GP is integral to the GP providing high quality health care.
If a patient transfers away from the practice to another GP, and the patient requests that the medical record be transferred, the existing GP will provide the record, a summary, or a medical record to the new treating GP or to the patient.
HEMAC will seek written permission from the patient for the provision of personal health information to another medical practice.
Appropriate administration costs may be charged to the patient. This practice will respond to a patient’s request for access within 7 days of receiving payment of the fee for access, or within 45 days of the request, whichever is the later.
The Practice Communication Policy: What to expect contacting HEMAC via emails & telephone calls?
All patients in the practice will be asked in the New Patient Registration Form to provide signed consent to agree or disagree to be communicated via electronic means.
It is acknowledged by the practice that consent is implied if the patient initiates electronic communication with the practice.
Our practice’s primary purpose for communicating electronically with patients is to respond to their queries and discourages patients to use email to seek or obtain medical advice.
When communicating with patients via email, it is conducted with appropriate regard to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), the Privacy Act 1988 relating to health information and confidentiality of the patient’s health information.
Our practice email account is for patients and stakeholders inquire general, non-urgent matters with our practice.
Email/electronic requests are handled by the reception staff and an acknowledgement response is sent to the patient automatically via the email system. A response is within 48hours. If you do not hear from us, please call us to follow up.
Telephone Calls
In the interest of good patient care we ask that you make an appointment to discuss your health or that of a family member.
We do understand that on occasions you may wish to speak to your doctor to ask a question over the telephone. Generally calls will not be put through whilst a Doctor is consulting with other patients, a message will be sent with a request to return your call when possible.
Where matters are not confidential please let the receptionist know the reason for your call so your history or test results may be obtained for the doctor.
Please note that prescription and certificate requests will require an appointment.