141 Dudley Road
Whitebridge. NSW. 2290
P: 4943 6511
F:8365 8944
E: reception@whitebridgemedical.com.au
After Hours Service: GP Access After Hours. 1300 130 147
Hours
Monday - Wednesday 8.30am-5.00pm
Thursday 8.30am-4.00pm
Friday 8.3am-3.00pm
Having serviced the local community for over four decades, we believe that everyone should have a GP they can trust. We also believe a modern General Practice needs to provide access to care, results and services in new and more convenient ways. We are going through a period of transformation as a practice so we can continue to give you the quality local care you deserve but with more ways to access us than ever before.
Our doctors' skills encompass all areas of general practice, including but not limited to internal medicine, women’s health, men’s health, mental health, paediatrics and minor procedures. We also offer Mirena (IUD) insertions. We run a regular fortnightly Skin Clinic operated by Dr Ken Dobler.
APPOINTMENTS must be made. If you have several problems, want a full medical check or anticipate having a procedure done, please notify the receptionist so extended consultation time can be made available. You are now able to book your appointments online using the Engage platform which is available to all patients. This is not a walk in clinic, all patients must book an appointment to see a GP. We do offer telehealth appointments, either telephone or video to eligible patients. These appointments must be made by calling reception so we can obtain payment details and check eligibility prior to the appointment. Telehealth appointments cannot be booked online.
URGENT cases, especially sick children, will be triaged by the practice nurse (if available) and an appointment will be given if necessary. An area will be made available to very ill or distressed patients where possible while waiting to be seen by a doctor. Please notify the receptionist.
HOME VISITS are not currently offered by this practice.
PRESCRIPTIONS & REFERRALS: Normally your doctor will give you enough repeats for medications to last until your next visit. All medications and referrals require a consultation. Prescriptions cannot be written for relatives asking for them on behalf of another patient.
FEES: We are a private billing practice. It is our goal to always provide high quality services to our patients. This includes booking 10–15 minute appointments as a standard consultation and 20-30 minutes for a long consultation (depending on the GP you see). We do this to ensure we have the time to discuss and explore any issues you are having and to try to address all concerns. Current fees are on display or quoted on request. We also offer direct claiming through Medicare Online. Some patients may be offered a reduced out of pocket rate due to personal circumstances (eg. Students, pensioners or Health Care card holders.). Children 5 years old and under may be bulk billed at the doctor's discretion.
Facilities for nursing mothers can be made available on request.
PHONING YOUR DOCTOR: Our Doctors do not take calls while they are consulting, unless it is an extreme emergency. You can telephone the Doctor during the normal surgery hours. A message will be taken and the Doctor will return your call when convenient. This surgery does not take prescription or referral requests over the phone. You must make an appointment for these.
COMMUNICATING BY EMAIL: Emails are checked periodically throughout the day and we aim to action within one business day. Please do not email us regarding an urgent matter. If you need to speak with us urgently during our opening hours or do not receive a reply to your email, please contact us by phone.
WHEELCHAIR access and disabled toilet facilities are available.
This practice has a RECALL DATABASE whereby, with a patient’s permission, information is stored for recall purposes medical checks or reviews, and cervical screening. National or state recall systems are offered to patients as a reminder system.
Test results: If your doctor would like to speak with you about results of any tests performed, our practice will contact you to make an appointment. We recommend you call our reception team a few days after your tests to check if your results have been returned. They will be able to tell you if your results have returned, if your doctor has viewed them, and if your doctor needs to discuss the results with you. Checked results are also available to view on the Engage platform.
This practice has a non-smoking policy. Patients are advised to smoke outside of the practice facilities.
AFTER HOURS care for this practice we advise patients to present to LAKE MACQUARIE PRIVATE HOSPITAL ED or contact HealthDirect on 1800 022 222. The practice operates an after-hours service for existing patients only. Existing patients can call the practice line after hours and be directed through to the on-call clinician. This attracts an out-of-pocket fee ($400) but is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Patients are encouraged to access alternative services for any issues that they may deem to be an emergency, and this is for non-emergency scenarios only for existing patients. In medical emergencies you should always call 000.
FEEDBACK is welcome. There is a contact form on our website where you can email the surgery.
Privacy Policy: Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff at all times. A separate information brochure is available detailing the strict confidentiality requirements practiced by all our staff.
Translating & Interpreting Services are available for patients via TIS National & National relay Service if needed.
COMPLAINTS: Any problems with staff, doctors or treatment should be discussed with the Practice Manager or doctor so remedial steps can be taken. If it is not possible to obtain satisfaction, the NSW Government Centre for Complaints may be able to help. The address is:
Health Care Complaints Commission
Locked Bag 18, Strawberry Hills. NSW 2012
Phone: 1800 043 159
PRACTITIONERS
Dr Max Mollenkopf
Dr Michelle White
Dr Vimbayinesu Timba
Dr Susan Gutierrez
Dr Elly Goodsall
Dr Vanessa Sugito
Dr Georgia Cormack
Dr Ken Dobler (Skin)
NURSING STAFF
Katherine Kuter RN
PRACTICE MANAGER/s
Michelle Ward / Rebecca McAllister
RECEPTION TEAM
Ruth Clipperton
Leanne Braunton
Lisa Preston
