DR LINDA FORD
is an experienced Women’s Health GP in South Gippsland.
She has an interest in Integrative Medicine, wellness, lifestyle medicine and nutrition.
Dr Linda’s passion is thorough personalised care.
New Patients are Welcome.
She enjoys providing long term care for regular patients.
Dr Linda is caring, patient and open minded
She encourages her 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 lasts 30 minutes.
She embraces convenient digital communication with her patients. Patient Portal gives enhanced digital access.
Her practice operates without a receptionist. Patients appreciate being able to communicate directly with Dr Linda.
Phone: 0386796532
Leave a detailed voice message for Dr Linda.
Existing Patients: Do you need a timely appointment and can’t find an appointment time?
Please leave a voice message and Dr Linda will return your call.
Its important that new patients, read this page in full, to understand Dr Linda’s style of practice.
Dr Linda acknowledges, that her 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, Wellness and Integrative Medicine: Diet & Lifestyle.
She has extended 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 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
Fees: Traditional GP Care
PATIENT PORTAL: CLICK HERE more Info & to Log on
Emergency & Important Contact Numbers
She has an interest in Integrative Medicine, wellness, lifestyle medicine and nutrition.
Dr Linda’s passion is thorough personalised care.
New Patients are Welcome.
She enjoys providing long term care for regular patients.
Dr Linda is caring, patient and open minded
She encourages her 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 lasts 30 minutes.
She embraces convenient digital communication with her patients. Patient Portal gives enhanced digital access.
Her practice operates without a receptionist. Patients appreciate being able to communicate directly with Dr Linda.
Phone: 0386796532
Leave a detailed voice message for Dr Linda.
Existing Patients: Do you need a timely appointment and can’t find an appointment time?
Please leave a voice message and Dr Linda will return your call.
- Visits Tarwin Lower most Tuesdays
- Tele-health: Monday & Thursday
- All patients: can book online.
- Patients can use their Patient Portal to message Dr Linda and review their results and specialist letters.
Its important that new patients, read this page in full, to understand Dr Linda’s style of practice.
Dr Linda acknowledges, that her 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, Wellness and Integrative Medicine: Diet & Lifestyle.
She has extended 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 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.
- Dr Linda spends time reviewing and preparing for your first visit: using your registration and medical history info.
- Registration must be completed at least 72 hours before your first visit. Sorry, registration cannot be undertaken, on the day, or in 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 offer routine free childhood or Influenza Vaccinations? Answer: No the Nurse Practitioner at Tarwin Lower Centre provides childhood 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. 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: Traditional GP Care
- IN CLINIC : Tarwin Lower, Bulk Billing for Aged Pensioners & Children U16 yrs. 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.
- TELEHEALTH: Bulk Billed for Aged Pensioners & Children less than 16 years. 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 Telehealth Medicare Rebates.
- 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 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
Emergency & Important 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 Vaccinations: at State Government Clinics Book Ph 1800 675 398. Web bookings: https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/
- Covid Wonthaggi: Booking Online Appt for Covid Vaccinations OR Covid Testing at Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic CLICK HERE. Clinic Ph 0492036568.
- Covid Vaccination Centre Wonthaggi Town Hall, Baillieu St E, Bookings and Walk in patient (walk in only > 60 yrs) Book Ph 1800 675 398
- Covid Vaccine Leongatha Hospital: Leongatha Hospital, IPCC Building 64 Koonwarra Rd. To Book: Ph 1800 675 398 (AZ & Pfizer) Bookings only, no walk in
- Covid Vaccination Centres Vic Map: Walk in Centres and Book Only https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres#find-a-vaccination-centre-near-you
- Bass Coast Health (Wonthaggi ) Emergency Department Ph 03 5671 3333
- Leongatha Hospital, Urgent Care (GP supported service) Ph 03 5667 5555