What Do You Do if you Need a Doctor on Christmas Day?

Located at the Burns Bay Shops, on the corner of Burns Bay Road and Figtree Street, is Burns Bay Medical Centre. The practice is a popular, family-friendly general practice, and they also have a special interest in Travel Vaccinations.

With Christmas fast approaching, and various Public Holidays on the horizon, we asked Burns Bay Medical what we should do if  one of our family or friends needs a doctor around the festive season.

 

burns bay medical

What Happens if You Get Sick on Christmas Day?

First and Foremost, patients are reminded that if they are experiencing a medical emergency, they are to call 000 for an ambulance or have someone take them to the nearest Hospital Emergency. 

Burns Bay Medical Centre makes every attempt to best service its patients but even the Doctors need a rest. During the holiday season, the practice only closes during the public holidays. To service its patient during these ours, Burns Bay Medical Centre has an after-hours Deputising Service the “Home Doctor Service”.

The Home Doctor Service make home visits after-hours when the surgery is closed, including weekends and public holidays.

What hours do the doctors work?

On normal business days, their telephone booking lines are open from 4.00pm weekends for service between 6.00pm to 8.00am weekdays, 10.00am Saturday, All day Sunday and Public Holidays – Ph: 13SICK (137425)

How do I pay them?

Medicare Card holders are bulk billed.

Who holds the records?

Patients inform the Home Doctor Service, as to who their regular GP is, and the Home Doctor Service forward consultation notes to the practice addressed to the patient’s nominated Doctor by the following morning. The Doctor is then able to review and take appropriate follow-up action if necessary. The consultation notes, are then appropriately scanned into the patients’ file, maintaining the patients’ medical record for continuity of care.

What do I do about follow up?

If a follow-up appointment is required. Call Burns Bay Medical Centre and make an appointment with your practitioner. In the absence of your usual Doctor, all Doctors at the Practice have access to your records and therefore have a concise picture of your medical history with the Practice.  You can also book an appointment online – just visit the Burns Bay Medical Centre website.

Source: National Home Doctor Service
Source: National Home Doctor Service

 

Do they work on Public Holidays?

Yes. The after-hours deputising service is solely established to support practices during hours of closure. Not an alternative for your Doctor. As such, there is no conflict of interest, and patient consultation notes are forward to the patients’ regular GP for continuity of care.

[ITC note:  after finding out about this invaluable service from Burns Bay Medical Practice, we saw an article on School Mum that the government is currently reviewing the Medicare Benefit Schedule to try and find cost savings wherever it can. Home visits have come under attack – you can read more here.]

You might also want to read ITC’s article on how to avoid food poisoning this Christmas. Did you know that a high risk time for food poisoning is Christmas Time?   It can happen very easily at home if you do not follow some simple rules set out in our article here.

travel vaccinations burns bay medical centre

Address: 175 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066
Phone: 9427 4855
Website: http://burnsbaymedicalcentre.com.au

You can easily book online (which you can do now rather than waiting to book during business hours)

Burns Bay Medical Centre are one of ITC’s fabulous Gold Sponsors. Without their support our website would never have been possible. #itcgoldsponsor


Do you have a local issue you would like help with? ITC is here to help just email us at [email protected]

  • Sign up for the weekly In the Cove Newsletter
  • Like us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram @inthecove
  • Tweet us on Twitter @InTheCoveITC
  • Pin us on Pinterest inthecoveITC
  • Tell your friends about ITC (they will thank you!!). Remember to tell them that ITC is a website and they do not have to have access to any Social Media to enjoy ITC – we often speak to people who tell us they want to follow ITC but don’t have Facebook or Instagram account (you don’t need them)