DR LINDA FORD
is an experienced Women’s Health GP in South Gippsland.
She has an interest in Integrative Medicine: wellness, lifestyle and nutrition.
Dr Linda’s passion is “thorough, personalised care”
New Patients are Welcome.
She is caring, patient, open minded and friendly.
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 the lifestyle factors which can affect wellbeing.
Dr Linda is a solo GP. She has a non-hurried approach to consulting: her typical appointment is 30 minutes.
She embraces digital communication: to enhance patient engagement and to improve access to care.
Her patients can have enhanced, direct access with Dr Linda: if they can embrace simple technologies such as SMS, Patient Portal and Book Online.
Phone: 03 8679 6532
Leave a detailed voice message for Dr Linda.
Existing Patients: need a timely appointment and cannot find an appropriate time? ............please leave a voice message.
Understandably then, this website contains detailed information to assist her patients.
Its important that new patients, read this page in full, to fully understand Dr Linda’s unique style of practice.
Dr Linda acknowledges, that her model of practice, with greater use of digital technology ......... might not suite everyone.
About Dr Linda Ford
MBBS (Hon) (Monash), DRANZCOG Adv., GDGM. MHlthSMgt.
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 as a GP Obstetrician in Berwick: providing pregnancy and delivery suite care at Casey (Monash Health) Hospital and St John of God.
She is a mother of five (now adults) and has a home in Inverloch.
New Patient Information
Fees: Traditional GP Care
Patient Portal: CLICK HERE more Info & to Log on
Covid Information Links:
Covid Vaccine: CLICK HERE for General Information
Covid Vaccine: FAQ for patients CLICK HERE re Astra Zenica Vaccine
Covid Vaccine: CLICK HERE for Eligibility Checker.
Bass Coast (Free) Public Shire Vaccination Clinic (not covid); Sites & Dates
https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/community-support-services/health-and-safety/immunisation
Vaccination Schedule Recommended Vaccines (NIP) Public Funded (free):
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/09/national-immunisation-program-schedule-for-all-people.pdf
Emergency Contact Numbers
She has an interest in Integrative Medicine: wellness, lifestyle and nutrition.
Dr Linda’s passion is “thorough, personalised care”
New Patients are Welcome.
She is caring, patient, open minded and friendly.
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 the lifestyle factors which can affect wellbeing.
Dr Linda is a solo GP. She has a non-hurried approach to consulting: her typical appointment is 30 minutes.
She embraces digital communication: to enhance patient engagement and to improve access to care.
Her patients can have enhanced, direct access with Dr Linda: if they can embrace simple technologies such as SMS, Patient Portal and Book Online.
Phone: 03 8679 6532
Leave a detailed voice message for Dr Linda.
Existing Patients: need a timely appointment and cannot find an appropriate time? ............please leave a voice message.
- Visits Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre most Tuesdays
- Tele-health: conducted off site on Monday & Thursday
- New and existing patients are encouraged to book online.
- Patients use Patient Portal to message Dr Linda and to review their shared health information (eg results and specialist letters)
- Month of June 2121: Portal Messages and Voice Message Bank 03 8679 6532 continue as usual throughout June, however there will be reduced in-clinic consulting throughout June.
Understandably then, this website contains detailed information to assist her patients.
Its important that new patients, read this page in full, to fully understand Dr Linda’s unique style of practice.
Dr Linda acknowledges, that her model of practice, with greater use of digital technology ......... might not suite everyone.
About Dr Linda Ford
MBBS (Hon) (Monash), DRANZCOG Adv., GDGM. MHlthSMgt.
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 as a GP Obstetrician in Berwick: providing pregnancy and delivery suite care at Casey (Monash Health) Hospital and St John of God.
She is a mother of five (now adults) and has a home in Inverloch.
New Patient Information
- New patients are welcome. Mobile phone and email required. Book Online via this website.
- Patient registration must be completed online. A “very detailed” Medical History is also gathered at registration. Allow plenty of time to complete this detailed form. The registration email Link can be used multiple times to complete your form (part completed entries are automatically saved)
- Digital notifications (SMS & email) are sent from “Halaxy” (our medical software)
- Registration must be completed at least 72 hours before your first visit. Sorry, registration cannot be undertaken at Clinic.
- 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 very detailed form. It will take a few minutes to complete. No printer is required. Need assistance? Ph 03 8679 6532
- FAQ: What if I don't have internet access? Answer: public computer access is available at Venus Bay Community Centre & at Public Library in Inverloch
- FAQ: What can I expect at my first visit? Answer: Dr Linda has a very thorough new patient intake process. She feels its important to carefully review your overall health. If your a potential new patient, with just “simple GP request” and will not see Dr Linda again for further care ........ then we recommend another GP clinic.
- FAQ: How do I cancel my appointment? Answer: Please phone 03 86796532 (Anytime) and leave a voice message.
- New Patient: sometimes a new patient appointment might be booked, circumstances might change and then the appointment is no longer required. We do expect courtesy ie at lease 48 hrs notice. If online registration is not completed and adequate notice to cancel not given (48 hrs): a $30 non rebatable fee may be charged.
- 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” or surgeon.
- FAQ: Does Dr Linda offer routine free childhood or Influenza Vaccinations? Answer: No NP at Tarwin Lower Centre offers these free 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. Patient Portal is the best way to securely message Dr Linda for a non urgent issue. Patient Portal is also used to share results and correspondence.
- FAQ: Can my first or initial consult with Dr Ford 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 Ford in the last 12 months.
- 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: 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 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.
- TELEHEALTH: Bulk Billed for Pensioners & Children U16 yrs. All Others: Co-Payment of $20 charged. Patients must have had an in person consult within the last 12 months with Dr Linda, to to eligible for a Medicare Telehealth Rebate.
- Patient Portal 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 receive results via patient portal.
- Cancellation: non-attendance or late cancellation (less than 24 hours notice) may incur a fee ($50).
- 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 non rebatable fee.
- Private fees apply. No Bulk Billing. All Medicare Eligible Patients pay a Co-Payment is $60
- 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
- New patient Telehealth consults must be by Video
- Existing Patients: Brief Telehealth (less 10 min) my be by phone or video. Longer Telehealth consults: we prefer by Video. Medicare Rebates alter as of 1st July 2021: long Telehealth consults must be by Video (not phone), to qualify for a Rebate.
- Video Consults: two simple options. No software or Apps to install.
- GPConsult Just click on a SMS Link sent to your mobile phone (android or iPhone), to start the Video
- Facetime (iPhone only)
- Dr Linda does not prescribe regular S8 medications (except for cancer care )
- Dr Linda does not enrol 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 care, in these circumstances, is best undertaken within a group general practice.
Patient Portal: CLICK HERE more Info & to Log on
Covid Information Links:
Covid Vaccine: CLICK HERE for General Information
Covid Vaccine: FAQ for patients CLICK HERE re Astra Zenica Vaccine
Covid Vaccine: CLICK HERE for Eligibility Checker.
Bass Coast (Free) Public Shire Vaccination Clinic (not covid); Sites & Dates
https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/community-support-services/health-and-safety/immunisation
Vaccination Schedule Recommended Vaccines (NIP) Public Funded (free):
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/09/national-immunisation-program-schedule-for-all-people.pdf
Emergency Contact Numbers
- Medical Emergency Ambulance Ph 000
- Nurse on Call (Advice 24/7) Ph 1300 60 60 24
- GP Helpline (Advice After Hours) Ph 1800 022 222
- Mental Health: Life Line (24/7) Ph 131 114 Kids Help Line (24/7) Ph 1800 55 1800
- Mental Health: Gippsland Psychiatric Triage Service (24/7) Ph 1300 363 322
- Headspace Wonthaggi (Youth Services) (M-F) Ph 0356715900
- Covid Hotline (24/7 Advice) Ph 1800 675 398
- Covid: Booking Online Appt for Covid Vaccinations OR Covid Testing at Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic CLICK HERE Ph 0492036568.
- Bass Coast Health (Wonthaggi ) Emergency Department Ph 03 5671 3333
- Leongatha Hospital, Urgent Care (GP supported service) Ph 03 5667 5555