DR LINDA FORD

is an experienced South Gippsland Women's Health GP. She has an interest in Integrative Medicine (Lifestyle & Nutrition)

She is friendly, caring, patient and open minded. She encourages patients to be well informed and to practice self care. Dr Linda believes to be truely well, its important to have a “big picture view” of health and consider lifestyle the factors which can affect wellbeing. She is not hurried: her routine appointment is 30 minutes.
She embraces the use of modern technology: to enhance patient engagement and improve access to care.
​Please read this page in full, to understand Dr Linda’s unique style of general practice.
Dr Linda is a solo GP. Her practice operates without a receptionist. To compensate, this website contains very detailed information for her patients.

Phone: 03 8679 6532
Leave a detailed voice message for Dr Linda.

About Dr Linda Ford
MBBS (Hon) (Monash), DRANZCOG Adv., GDGM. MHlthSMgt.
Dr Linda’s approach is personal, experienced, thorough and caring. Her special interests are Women's Health and Wellness (Integrative Medicine: Diet & Lifestyle).
She has additional GP training in Women's Health and Care of the Aged
  • Advanced Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  • Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine.
  • Member ACNEM : Australian College Nutritional Environmental Medicine
Dr Linda has worked extensively throughout Gippsland as a GP. ​
In recent years, she spent 8 years working in Melbourne providing pregnancy and delivery suite care (GP Obstetrician)
She is a mother of five (now adults) and has a home in Inverloch.

Overall Vision
Dr Linda's goal is to improve access to care in the small communities of Tarwin Lower & Venus Bay.
Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre is a small centre which has limited reception support.
  • New and existing patients are encouraged to book online.
  • Technology is a valuable tool, to enable a timely and efficient care.
  • Dr Linda acknowledges that her style of practice, which requires patients to use simple technology......might not suite everyone.

New Patient Information
  • New patients are welcome. Mobile phone and email required. Book Online via this website.
  • Patient registration must be completed online. A detailed Medical History is also gathered at registration. Our appointment notifications (SMS & email) are sent by “Halaxy” which is our medical software.
  • Registration must be completed at least 48 hours before your first visit. Sorry, registration cannot be undertaken at Tarwin Lower Clinic.
  • We understand sometime a new patient appointment may be made, circumstances might change and appointment is no longer required. We do expect simple courtesy ie be given adequate notice of your cancellation. A $30 fee may be charged if a New Patients fails to confirm their booking (via online registration) and does not give at least 48 hrs notice to cancel. To cancel Ph 03 8677 2936
  • All information is confidential and managed according to Australian Privacy Laws. ​Further information see: OAIC
  • FAQ: How do I Register? Answer: a registration email (noreply@halaxy.com) will arrive shortly after booking. It contains a secure LINK. Click on the LINK and a online form opens. Its a detailed form. It will take a few minutes to complete online. No printer is required. Need assistance? Ph 03 8679 6532
  • FAQ: What if I don't have internet access? Answer: free computer (PC) access available at Venus Bay Community Centre
  • FAQ: What can I expect at my first visit? Answer: Dr Linda has a very thorough new patient intake process. She feels its very important to carefully review her new patients overall health. If your a potential new patient, with just “a simple GP request” and have no plans to Dr Linda for ongoing care, we recommend that you book at another clinic.
  • FAQ: Can my FIRST CONSULT be by TELEHEALTH? Answer: Yes. There are four important principles. Firstly, you cannot book a New Patient Telehealth consult online. To Book: Call 03 8679 6532. Leave your contact details: name, mobile number, email address and detailed reason for your consult. Secondly, NO Medicare Rebate will be availabl (Rebate is only available if you’ve have had an in-clinic consult with Dr Linda in the last 12 months). Thirdly, you must complete our online registration. Fourthly, the fee is similar to our in-clinic fees: $50 min (up to 15 minutes, plus additional prorate amount if your consult extends longer than 15 min)
  • FAQ: HOW DO I CANCEL MY APPOINTMENT? Answer: Please phone 03 86796532 (Phone Anytime) and leave a voice message. We appreciate early notice, so your time can be made available to another.
  • FAQ: Does Dr Linda excise skin lesions & lumps? Answer: No. She will evaluate your concern and if further management is required, refer onto a local “GP Skin Cancer Clinic”.
  • FAQ: Does Dr Linda offer routine childhood or Influenza Vaccinations? Answer: No another provider at the Tarwin Lower Centre offers vaccinations.
  • FAQ: Can a Mental Health Plan (MHP) be completed at my first visit? Answer: No. Generally two consults are required.
  • FAQ: Does Dr Linda use email? Answer: No. Our Patient Portal is the fastest way to contact Dr Linda for non urgent issues. She also uses Patient Portal to share results and messages patients.
  • FAQ: Clinic Covid precautions? Answer: all patients must answer screening questions (via phone) and have a temperature check before entering the centre. A face mask must be worn by ALL persons (over 12 yrs age). No medical exemptions. If it seems, you may have Covid like symptoms, you will be referred onto the Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic for Covid Screening and then have follow up appointment at our clinic (see below)

​​​Fees: Traditional GP Care
  • IN CLINIC : Tarwin Lower, Bulk Billing for Pensioners & Children U16 yrs. All Others: Co-Payment of $20. This is called Paying the Gap. There is no Medicare Rebate for the Co-Payment.
  • FAQ What's a Co-payment? Answer: a part payment made at the time of consult. Medicare then completes payment of the part paid account.
  • TELEHEALTH: Bulk Billed for Pensioners & Children U16 yrs. All Others: Co-Payment of $20 charged. Patients must have had an initial “in person consult” and consulted Dr Linda within the last 12 months, to be eligible for Medicare Telehealth Rebate.
  • Patient Portal requests. Min Fee for a simple request: $30 (eg referral or certificate) Prescriptions $30 (No Medicare Rebate)
  • Integrative Medicine consults: private fees apply. No Bulk Billing. Co-Payment $60
  • Cancellation: Existing Patients, non-attendance or late cancellation (less than 24 hours notice) may incur a fee (50% of expected fee).
  • Cancellation: New Patients, non attendance or late cancellation (less than 24 hours notice), may incur a fee (50% of expected fee)
  • Cancellation: New Patients: who fail to complete online registration (ie fail to confirm appointment) and fail to contact the practice to cancel, may incur a $30 non rebatable fee.

Is Telehealth right for you?
  • Telehealth may be suitable for general advice, medical certificates, referrals, prescriptions (not S8 or narcotic medication), minor illnesses, mental health counselling and ongoing management of stable pre-existing conditions.
  • Telehealth is not suitable for life threatening emergencies. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness, paralysis, severe bleeding or other serious problems, do not book a Telehealth. Phone 000 for an ambulance
​
​ ​Is Tele-health simple? Yes
  • Many existing patients opt for a phone call. New patient consults are by Video
  • Video Consults: two simple options. No software or Apps to install.
    1. GPConsult Simply click on a SMS Link on your mobile phone: either android or iPhone
    2. Facetime (iPhone only)

S8 medications: Opioids & Strong Sedatives
  • Dr Linda does not prescribe regular S8 medications (except for cancer care )
  • Dr Linda does not accept new patients who already take regular S8 medication (except if a cancer patient)
  • FAQ: Which medications are S8's? Answer: Opioid: e.g Pethidine, Fentanyl, Morphine, MS Contin, Kapanol, Oxycontin, Endone, Tapentadol (Palexia), Methadone. Strong sedatives: e.g Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Alprasolam (Xanax) or regular Serepax.
  • Dr Ford believes GP care in these circumstances, is best undertaken within a group practice.

PATIENT PORTAL: CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION

Health & Lifestyle Assessment: simple online Quiz (diet alcohol exercise habits)

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/how-are-you-quiz/

Symptom Checker Online: What is the likely cause of my symptoms? Where should I seek care? How quickly should I seek care?

See Patient symptoms checker in the following Link. Checker is used within NHS (British Health Service) to help patients triage care.

https://symptomchecker.isabelhealthcare.com/

Emergency Contact Numbers
  • Medical Emergency Ambulance: 000 ​
  • Nurse on Call (Advice 24/7): 1300 60 60 24
  • GP Helpline (Advice After Hours): 1800 022 222
  • ​Mental Health: Life Line (24/7): 131 114 Kids Help Line (24/7): 1800 55 1800
  • Mental Health: Gippsland Psychiatric Triage Service (24/7): 1300 363 322
  • Covid Hotline (24/7 Advice): 1800 675 398
  • Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic (Covid Testing) Book Online Phone: 0492036568
  • Bass Coast Health (Wonthaggi Hospital) Emergency Department: 03 5671 3333​
  • Leongatha Hospital Urgent Care : 03 5667 5555
DR LINDA FORD experienced Women's Health General Practitioner