Please read through the following questions and answers before contacting Inverloch Healthcare. If, after reading through this page you still require information please phone our office on (03) 5674 2700 between 9am- 4.30pm Monday to Friday. We look forward to helping you as best we can.
How can I get a Shingles (Shingrix) vaccine?
We have been allocated a small number of vaccines per month and currently we are offering these to eligible patients as they present for usual appts. It is anticipated that supply will continue monthly. If you are booking just for a shingles vaccine please call on the day of your appt to vaccine availability.
Shingrix will be available free for:
People aged 65 years and over
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, and
Immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over with the following medical conditions: haemopoietic stem cell transplant, solid organ transplant, haematological malignancy (blood cancer) or advanced or untreated HIV.
While the vaccine is free for eligible people, usual fees will apply for a consultation fee for the visit.
The vaccine requires 2-doses with the second dose given 2-6 months after the first.
Can I get the Shingrix vaccine if I’ve already received Zostavax? Yes, but there are some conditions:
People who have already received a free Zostavax shingles vaccine can’t get a free Shingrix vaccine for at least 5 years after they have had Zostavax
People who have already received Zostavax vaccine privately can receive Shingrix free under the program if they are eligible. An interval of at least 12 months is recommended between receiving Zostavax and a subsequent dose of Shingrix. A 2-dose schedule of Shingrix will still need to be completed.
Do I still need to get vaccinated if I’ve already had shingles?
Vaccination is still recommended for those who have had shingles infection in the past. However, you should wait at least 12 months between an episode of shingles and having the vaccine. Discuss this with your doctor. As the risk of further infection is higher in immunocompromised people, Shingrix can be given from 3 months after illness.
please seen Shingles fact sheet for further information on this program
What is my Medicare?
On November 1st the federal government introduced a program called my medicare. This program aims to improve health outcomes by registering with your GP and GP practice.
Once registered you will have access to more medicare rebates including access to longer telephone consultations. Futher information about registering is available using the following link My Medicare
Inverloch Healthcare remains a private billing clinic with the decision to bulk bill being at your GP’s discretion.
What do I do if I have tested positive to Covid-19?
and…
How can I get a Covid19 vaccination?
If you are aged 60 or over, or under 60 and have significant health issues please call the clinic ASAP and speak to our nurse about your eligibility for anti viral medications.
If you feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, you should test yourself. If you have any fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste - stay home, don’t go in to work; don’t go shopping; and don’t visit friends and family. You can test with a rapid antigen test (RAT) Please contact the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or call the clinic to speak with our nurse if you have any concerns.
For the safety of all our staff, doctors and other patients please do not enter the clinic if you have any respiratory symptoms or if you have had covid 19 in the last 7 days.
Further information about Covid-19 can be found at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
Please call the clinic for an appointment or book through our website.
Inverloch Healthcare is not delivering Covid19 immunisations or boosters. To book a Covid19 vaccine/ booster call the Victorian Government Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 .
When can I get an influenza vaccine?
2024 Flu vaccines have arrived. Please call the clinic or book through hotdoc
Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications. It is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over (unless contraindicated).
Those eligible for government funded vaccinations are:
All people aged 6 months to less than 5 years (this cohort is newly eligible in 2020)
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
Pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy)
All people aged 65 years and over
People aged 5 to 64 years with medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications eg- asthma, COPD, heart disease and other chronic health issues.
Local chemists will also be able to give flu vaccination please contact your chemist directly to discuss this.
What is a telehealth appointment and what can be done in a telehealth appointment?
As of March 2021 the federal government advised that patients needed to have been seen face to face by their usual GP ( or another GP within the same clinic) within 12 months to be eligible for a medicare rebate on their telehealth appt. While the rules around telehealth have changed a number of times over the last 2 years our staff will check your eligibility when making an appointment for you and let you know if you are not eligible.
Our normal billing policy applies for all telehealth consultations.
Telehealth allows you to catch up with your usual GP ( or another GP if your provider is not available) to discuss any issue that you would have previously discussed at a face to face consultation. These appointments can either be done over video conferencing or over the phone. You stay at home rather than coming to the clinic.
During your telehealth appointment your GP will be in their normal consultation room at the practice to ensure privacy and confidentiality is maintained. The GP will have access to your electronic health record. The consultation notes will be taken in accordance with our usual practice policies. If required your GP may recommend a referral for testing or a prescription, please be aware that these documents will contain some personal information and will need to be sent to the appropriate organisations. In the case of scripts, these can be sent to your nominated pharmacy.
For some specific plans video calls must be used. These include GP management plans, mental health plans, mental health reviews and health assessments. We are committed to ensuring we continue to proactively assist you to manage your health issues during these challenging times.
If you feel that you will require a face to face appointment, please call the clinic directly and we will arrange this for you. If during your telehealth consultation your GP feels you need a face to face consultation they will book this for you. Both telehealth and face to face consultations will be billed as per our usual fees.
Book an appointment here or by calling the clinic directly on (03) 5674 2700.
Are you taking new patients?
YES - Dr Martin Hodgson is accepting new patients. Please book on hotdoc or call the clinic.
At this stage our other GPs are not accepting new patients.
The importance of community…keeping you updated.
We will be keeping this page and our Facebook page updated to keep our community informed.
Look out for each other and stay safe.
In cases of a medical emergency please call 000
For medical advice please contact nurse on call – 1300 606 024
Free out of hours heath care advice 1800 272 767
Victorian Virtual Emergency Dept Northern Virtual ED link
Coronavirus hotline - 1800 675 398
For urgent medical care please contact either
Bass Coast Health Wonthaggi, 235 Graham St, Wonthaggi, (03) 5671 3333
Leongatha Hospital Urgent Care, Koonwarra Rd, Leongatha, (03) 5667 5555.