DR LINDA FORD

​is an experienced Women’s Health GP in South Gippsland.
Visits: Inverloch and Tarwin Lower.  Telehealth is readily available.
She has a special interest in Integrative Medicine, wellness, nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
Her approach considers evidence based conventional medicine and complementary therapies.
Her passion is thorough, high quality, personalised care.
Dr Linda enjoys providing regular care for long term patients.
New Patients are welcome. Please Book thru this website.

***  COVID 19 INFORMATION   Covid Testing or Covid illness care   GO TO BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE ***

A NEW CLINIC starts Thursday 3rd Feb: Saltwater House, 39 A’Beckett St INVERLOCH

Dr Linda is caring, patient and open minded
She encourages patients to be well informed and to practice self care.
Dr Linda believes to be truly well, its important to have a big picture view of health and consider lifestyle factors which can affect wellbeing.
She is a solo GP and has a non-hurried approach to consulting. Routine appointments are 30 minutes duration.
She embraces convenient, digital communication. Patients can use their Patient Portal to message her.
​Patients appreciate being able to communicate directly with Dr Linda. (via phone and thru patient portal)
Her practice operates without a receptionist.

Central Phone: 0386796532
Leave a detailed voice message for Dr Linda.
Existing patients: if you need a timely appointment, but cannot find a suitable time online?
Please leave a message and Dr Linda will return your call.
​
  • Visits: Saltwater House, 39 A’Beckett St, Inverloch.  Thursday am. Starts 3rd Feb 2022
  • Visits:Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre, Tuesday am
  • Tele-health: ​Thursday am or by mutual agreement.
  • Please Book via this website. Toggle “Clinics” (on the left side of first booking page) to select from three clinic options.
  • Use your Patient Portal (Halaxy)  to send and receive messages, check results, upload files and view specialist letters.

​New patients, please review this page in full, to understand Dr Linda’s style of practice.
She acknowledges, given her extensive use of digital technology .........  her practice might not suite everyone.

About Dr Linda Ford
MBBS (Hon) (Monash), DRANZCOG Adv., GDGM. MHlthSMgt.
Her special interests are Women's Health, Wellness and Integrative Medicine: Diet & Lifestyle.
She has extensive training and experience 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.
In recent years, she worked as a GP Obstetrician in Berwick: providing pregnancy and delivery suite care at Casey (Monash Health) Hospital and St John of God Berwick.
She is a mother of five (now adults) and has a home in Inverloch.
She enjoys gardening and walking her dog along the beach.

New Patient Information
  • New Patients are welcome. Book Online via this website.
  • Mobile phone and email required.
  • Patient registration is completed online: using a secure link within our welcome email.
  • A detailed Medical History is also gathered at registration. Please allow 10-15 min to complete this detailed form online.
  • Dr Linda spends considerable time reviewing your registration information and preparing for your first visit.
  • Registration must be completed at least 72 hours before your first visit. Sorry, registration cannot be undertaken, on the day, or at the Clinic.
  • FAQ: How do I Register? Answer: a registration email (noreply@halaxy.com) will arrive same day, after booking.  It contains a secure LINK. Click on the LINK and an online form opens. Its a detailed form. It will take a few minutes to complete using your keyboard. No printer is needed.  Need assistance? Ph 0386796532
  • FAQ: What if I don't have internet access? Answer: public computer access is available at Venus Bay Community Centre & at any Public Library.
  • FAQ: What can I expect at my first visit? Answer: Dr Linda has a very thorough approach. She feels its important to carefully review all new patients overall health.
  • FAQ: How do I cancel my appointment? Answer: phone 0386796532 anytime and leave a voice message.
  • FAQ: Does Dr Linda excise skin lesions & lumps? Answer: No. She will evaluate your concern and if needed refer onto a local “GP Skin Cancer Clinic”.
  • FAQ: Does Dr Linda provide free, government supplied immunisations? (Eg covid or childhood)  Answer: No, Nurse Practitioner at Tarwin Lower Centre provides routine childhood immunisations (excluding Covid)
  • 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. Patient Portal is the best way to securely message Dr Linda. Patient Portal is also used to share results and correspondence/documents (two way: to and from the practice)
  • FAQ: Can my first or initial consult with Dr Linda be by Telehealth? Answer: Yes, however you will not be eligible for a Medicare Rebate, unless you have had an “in clinic” consult with Dr Linda in the last 12 months. Phone 03 8679 6532, leave a detailed message. Dr Linda will return your call to arrange a “First Visit by Telehealth appointment”.
  • 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). If it appears, you might have Covid like symptoms, you will be referred onto the Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic for Covid Screening.
  • All information is confidential and managed according to Australian Privacy Laws. ​Further information see: OAIC
​​​
Fees:Tarwin Lower Clinic
  • Aged Pensioners & Children U16 yrs: Bulk Billed
  • All Others: Co-Payment of $20. This is called Paying the Gap. There is no Medicare Rebate for the Gap Fee.
  • FAQ What's a Co-payment? Answer: a part payment made at the time of consult. Medicare then completes full payment of the account.
Fees: Inverloch Clinic
  • Private Billing, no Bulk Billing
  • New Patient First Consult. Fee = Medicare Rebate  +  $60 Gap (out of pocket cost)
  • Subsequent Consults Fee = Medicare Rebate + $40 Gap (out of pocket cost)
Fees: Telehealth (both clinics)
  • Aged Pensioners & Children less than 16 years.: Bulk Billed 
  • All Others: Co-Payment of $20 charged.
  • Patients must have had an in person consult (f2f) within the last 12 months with Dr Linda, to to eligible for Telehealth Medicare Rebates.
Fees: FAQ
  • Patient Portal (Halaxy) requests. Min Fee for a simple request is $30 (eg simple referral or certificate) Prescriptions request $30. Medicare Rebates not available for Patient Portal services. No charge to open or to receive your results via patient portal.
  • Cancellation: non-attendance or late cancellation (less than 24 hours notice) may incur a $50 fee.
  • Cancellation: New Patients: who fail to complete online registration (ie fail to confirm appointment) and also fail to contact the practice to cancel, may incur a $50 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
  • New patient Telehealth consults must be by Video
  • Telehealth patients must have had an “in person or in clinic” consult with Dr Ford within the last 12 months to be eligible for a Medicare Rebate
  • Existing Patients: Brief Telehealth (less 10 min) my be by phone or video. Longer Booked Telehealth consults: must be by Video (simple using your mobile phone, computer or any tablet device).
  • Video Consults: No software or Apps to install. Usual option: GPConsult Service. A SMS is sent to you when Dr is ready to start the consult. Click on a Link, in that SMS to start your call.
Prescriptions S8 medications, eg Opioids & Strong Sedatives
  • Dr Linda does not prescribe regular S8 medications (except for cancer care )
  • Dr Linda does not accept new patients who take regular S8 medications (except for cancer care)
  • 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, in those circumstances, care is best undertaken in a larger group general practice.

PATIENT PORTAL: CLICK HERE to LOG ON and for more Info

Emergency & Important Contact Numbers
  • Medical Emergency Ambulance: Ph 000 ​
  • Nurse on Call (24/7 Advice) Ph 1300606024
  • GP Helpline (After Hours 6 pm - 8 am GP Advice) Ph 1800022222.  Initial triage will be by a nurse, but if needed, you may be transferred to speak to a GP
  • Bass Coast Health (Wonthaggi) Emergency Department Ph 0356713333​
  • Leongatha Hospital Urgent Care (GP supported) Ph 0356675555
  • ​Mental Health: Life Line (24/7) Ph 131114   OR. Kids Help Line (24/7) Ph 1800551800
  • Headspace Wonthaggi (Youth Mental Health Services) (M-F) Ph 0356715900

***. COVID RELATED INFORMATION. ***
​
Covid Testing and Vaccination Advice  ​Covid Positive Patients: Clinical Advice and Assistance
  • Once you’ve received a positive PCR result or you’ve self-reported a positive Rapid antigen Test (RAT)  you will receive a phone call from the LaTrobe Public Health unit within 1-2 days, (0351735451 – option 2 – open 8am – 8pm.).  This is to evaluate your health risks and recommend the best care options using the   Victorian Covid Positive Clinical Pathways Program   Please note, as case numbers increase, this process may be delayed.  
  • ​Most cases of the COVID 19 cases only develop mild to moderate symptoms (a mild cold or a flu like illness). Generally it lasting less than 1 week.  Mild cases can be  managed at home with simple supportive treatments – eg rest, fluids, Panadol/Ibuprofen. 
  • A few people, may develop a more serious illness and require increased monitoring and care. 
  • If you have a positive diagnosis, have NOT been linked to a support service and become concerned about your symptoms………..please Ph 0386796532.   Leave me a detailed message. (only for  existing patients, M-F ,9-4pm, no need to book online)
  • What are the usual symptoms of an Omicron Covid 19 infection:
Common: runny nose, headache, fatigue, sore throat
Often: sneezing, cough, fever
Sometimes: shortness of breath, altered sense of taste and sense of smell, gastrointestinal symptoms 
  • If  your Covid Positive (or likely positive) and have significant comorbidities, your at higher risk of serious illness with Covid 19.   You may need additional monitoring and support. Early antiviral therapies are sometimes prescribed.   Please Ph  0386796532 for my advice. (only for existing patients)
  • Who has the greatest risk of serious illness with Covid 19?  What are the risk factors (or comorbidities)?​
Unvaccinated adults
Age ≥ 50 years
Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2)
Cardiovascular disease (including hypertension)
Chronic lung disease (including asthma)
Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
Chronic kidney disease, including those that are on dialysis
Chronic liver disease
Immunocompromised patients (including individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS and systemic lupus erythematosus receiving immunosuppressive treatment)
DR LINDA FORD experienced Women's Health General Practitioner