DR LINDA FORD
is an experienced Women’s Health GP in South Gippsland.
She has an interest in Integrative Medicine: lifestyle and 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 has a non-hurried approach to consulting: her routine appointment is 30 minutes.
She embraces use of modern technology: to enhance patient engagement and improve access to care.
Her practice operates without a receptionist.
To compensate, this website contains detailed information for patients.
It’s important that new patients, read this page in full, to understand Dr Linda’s style of practice.
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
In recent years, she worked in Melbourne providing pregnancy and delivery suite care (GP Obstetrician in Monash Health at Casey Hospital)
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 in South Gippsland.
Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre is a small centre which has limited reception support.
New Patient Information
Fees: Traditional GP Care
Is Telehealth right for you?
Is Tele-health simple? Yes
S8 medications: Opioids & Strong Sedatives
Patient Portal: Click HERE more information
How to Upload document or file and send/share it with Dr Ford from within your Portal: Watch this simple You Tube video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR39YJDUGknaUuz1bq3F2f-2T8sz65_JVMPI7coq1rSSB4nkz3ezXvIL3Tg&v=N7PB10jAbTg&feature=youtu.be
Everything you wish to know about Patient Portal, use this Link: https://support.halaxy.com/hc/en-au/sections/360012180493-Patient-Portal
Covid Vaccine: General Information
See: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19-vaccination
Covid Vaccine: Eligibility Checker. Where can I go to have my vaccination?
Which vaccine group am I in? Is my group currently being vaccinated? Where can I get vaccinated?
Use the following Link
See: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
Emergency Contact Numbers
She has an interest in Integrative Medicine: lifestyle and 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 has a non-hurried approach to consulting: her routine appointment is 30 minutes.
She embraces use of modern technology: to enhance patient engagement and improve access to care.
- Visits Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre most Tuesdays
- Tele-health: off site generally Monday & Thursday
- Patients use Patient Portal to message Dr Linda and to review their shared information (eg results)
- Dr Fords UPCOMING LEAVE in JUNE: The only Tarwin Lower Clinic date in June will be Tue 29th. Telehealth continues to be available throughout June. Usual consulting schedule recommences on Tue 29th June. Her Voice Message Bank 03 8679 6532 will remain open throughout June.
- Dr Ford does not provide Covid Vaccinations: available at Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic (see bottom of page)
Her practice operates without a receptionist.
To compensate, this website contains detailed information for patients.
It’s important that new patients, read this page in full, to understand Dr Linda’s style of practice.
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
In recent years, she worked in Melbourne providing pregnancy and delivery suite care (GP Obstetrician in Monash Health at Casey Hospital)
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 in South Gippsland.
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 solo practice (requiring all patients to use simple digital 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” with no likely hood seeing Dr Linda for ongoing care........we recommend you book at another GP clinic.
- FAQ: Can my first or initial consult with Dr Ford be by Telehealth? Answer: Yes. There are four important principles. Firstly, you cannot book a New Patient Telehealth (initial practice 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 is available if your first practice consult is via Telehealth. (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 time, 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 patient.
- 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 routine 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.
- GPConsult Simply click on a SMS Link on your mobile phone: either android or iPhone
- 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 more information
How to Upload document or file and send/share it with Dr Ford from within your Portal: Watch this simple You Tube video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR39YJDUGknaUuz1bq3F2f-2T8sz65_JVMPI7coq1rSSB4nkz3ezXvIL3Tg&v=N7PB10jAbTg&feature=youtu.be
Everything you wish to know about Patient Portal, use this Link: https://support.halaxy.com/hc/en-au/sections/360012180493-Patient-Portal
Covid Vaccine: General Information
See: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19-vaccination
Covid Vaccine: Eligibility Checker. Where can I go to have my vaccination?
Which vaccine group am I in? Is my group currently being vaccinated? Where can I get vaccinated?
Use the following Link
See: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
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
- Covid: Booking Online Appt for Covid Vaccinations OR Covid Testing at Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic : https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/book/appointment/reason?clinic=4462&for=you&history=first-visit. Phone: 0492036568.
- Bass Coast Health (Wonthaggi ) Emergency Department: 03 5671 3333
- Leongatha Hospital Urgent Care : 03 5667 5555