NURSES OFFICE & TREATMENT ROOMS
The Nursing team assists our doctors with a wide range of clinical activities including:
- INR reading
- Wound dressing
- Height & weight measurements
- Blood pressure measurements
- Assistance in procedures & excisions
- ECG & Spirometry
- Emergency situations & triage
- Travel & other Vaccinations
- Childhood Immunisation
- 24hr blood pressure monitor
- Patient education & clinical resources
If your doctor has asked you to see the nurse, please take a letter (A-Z) card from outside the nurses office and take a seat. For patient privacy our nursing team ask that you do not enter the nurses office until called.
CARE PLANS
A Care Plan is a useful tool designed to improve the quality of patient care.
Cost: Bulk billed through Medicare
Who is eligible?
No age restriction
Patients with a chronic health condition (one that is likely to be present for 6 months or longer).
For example: diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart disease, mental health conditions, arthritis.
There are two types of care plan
(1) GP Management plan (GPMP)
Eligibility as above
(2) Team Care Arrangements (TCA)
Eligibility as above + must have complex needs which require ongoing care from at least 3 health providers
For example: GP, Specialist, Podiatrist.
Benefits
How to book a Care Plans Appointment.
You can discuss your eligibility at an appointment with your GP. Your doctor will then arrange an appointment with the care plan nurse
During this appointment, the nurse will collate health assessment information, including health history, height, weight, waist measurements, Body Mass Index, BP and pulse.
At a separate appointment your doctor will then complete the care plan with you, and sign relevant allied health rebate forms. You will be posted a copy of this plan and other relevant forms.
HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
Pre-Booked Nursing appointments
Health Assessments provide the opportunity for your Doctor to undertake an in-depth assessment of your health. The assessment will cover medical, physical, psychological and social aspects of health. All people aged 75 years and over who are living in the community or in hostel level aged care accommodation are eligible for this service.
A Health Assessment helps your Doctor assess your overall level of health in order to provide advice aimed at preventing ill health in the future. Your Doctor will be offering a Health Assessment to many other patients who regularly attend the practice. However, if you are worried about the Health Assessment, please talk to your Doctor or Nursing staff in the practice about your concerns.
You can ask your Doctor to organise a Health Assessment for you or a Nurse from Kingston Family Clinic will phone you and ask if you would like to organise one and make an appointment with you.
Health issues covered—Your recent health * whether or not you have seen other Doctors or Health Workers in the last six months * any difficulties with mood, memory or sleep * smoking/alcohol/nutrition/exercise * living arrangements and home safety * social support * mobility * the medication you take * immunisations * an examination of your weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, vision * blood sugar level and urinalysis.
A Health Assessment is conducted in your home. Usually a Health Assessment is repeated in one years time.
Initially Virginia a Registered Nurse from Kingston Family Clinic will visit your home and do the assessment with you. Virginia will then make an appointment for you to see your usual Doctor within the next few weeks. Your Doctor will review the assessment and in consultation with you action any recommendations. You are welcome to have a family member or carer with you at the appointment.
Medicare pays a rebate for health assessments, so there is usually no gap payment.
The health assessment usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes in total in the home, plus a follow-up appointment with your doctor.