Services

As a fully accreditated medical practice, at SKMC, we strive for practical communication, systemisation, and teamwork to allow the doctors to coordinate the best care for you.  We have a comprehensive referral network of Specialists and Allied Health Professionals to assist with your coordinated care, with a range of providers available. All GP consultations are 100% confidential and are conducted in a private consulting room. The GPs conduct preventative health checks and provide education to suit each patient’s individual needs.

We have the provision for translating and interpreting service during consultations if you can’t speak English. If you need this option kindly advise prior so we can allocate extra time and book the translation and interpretation service and have it available when you visit your doctor or nurse. We can also have AUSLAN communication for Visual interpretation for hearing and speech impaired persons.

If you need to consult a GP after hours, call the HealthDirect GP Helpline Australia on 1800 022 222. Existing patients of the practice may call the after-hours doctor’s phone on 0448 539 803 and speak to the GP. Kindly note that this service is not bulk billed and no rebate will be paid through Medicare. You will be charged a fee of $75 for your call.

South Kempsey Medical Centre through the GPs working from their premises, strives to provide comprehensive health management services and personal medical care to our community, including:

Antenatal and postnatal Care

Our GPs play a vital role in maternity care. The birth of your baby will be one of the most exciting events in your life. We take the responsibility for pre-pregnancy care, the first antenatal visit, shared antenatal care, postpartum management, and care of the newborn! Enhanced relationships with your GP during pregnancy care would have long-term benefits for the entire family. At SKMC, we have a Shared Care GP who could work through the journey to motherhood. They will arrange all necessary blood tests, ultrasounds, hospital visits etc. during this time. This way, both your chosen specialist and your GP share your care. And both are kept fully informed of your progress. The patient receives postnatal advice, with breast or bottle-feeding issues, worries about your newborn, 6-week check-ups for you and baby, baby’s first immunisations, and contraception choices.

Chronic disease management including GP Care plans

A chronic medical condition is one that has been (or is likely to be) present for six months or longer, for example, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions, and stroke. There is no list of eligible conditions; however, the CDM items are designed for patients who require a structured approach, including those requiring ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team. Our experienced doctors help the patients with GP Management Plans (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangements (TCAs) for multidisciplinary Chronic disease management.

Dressings and wound care

Our experienced doctors and nurses use a structured approach giving thought to wound aetiology, tissue type, and immediate aim to quickly heal the wounds.

ECG

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical signal from your heart to check for different heart conditions. Electrodes are placed on your chest to record your heart’s electrical signals, which cause your heart to beat. ECGs are conducted by our qualified nurses to help the GP diagnose various ailments.

Family planning including Mirena insertion

Our doctors provide a holistic perspective to family planning based on the patient’s requirements. We can help you to tailor your needs from a range of Contraceptive pills, Implanon, Depot, Intrauterine devices including CuT, Mirena and Kyleena. Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) that can provide long-term birth control (contraception). Mirena prevents pregnancy for up to five years after insertion. One of our doctors with extensive experience in women’s health is trained for Mirena insertions, removals, and advice.

Health Assessments for the over 75’s

A health assessment of the elderly is an in-depth assessment of a patient aged 75 years and over. It looks into the holistic well-being of the person. It not only screens for Early Dementia and Mental health conditions including Depression, but also screens for individuals’ safety, and helps them to link with necessary support services to keep them safe at home.

Home Medication Reviews

Our GPs refer the patients to a local Pharmacist, they help the patients with alternatives, equipment use recommendations etc, and submit a report to the GP. The GP then prepares a ‘Medication Management Plan’. This is shared with every service healthcare provider who sees the patients.

Immunisations including travel medicine

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them. Immunisation not only protects individuals, but also others in the community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases. Our clinic staff makes sure that the local community is immunised as per National Immunisation Program Schedule that describes a series of immunisations given at specific times throughout your life. The immunisations range from birth through to adulthood. We provide all childhood vaccinations that are often free to holders of Medicare cards.  Our nurses are immunisation accredited providers and continually attend update courses on the changing paediatric vaccination schedule. Vaccinations include:

  • Pneumococcal Disease
  • Whooping Cough
  • Flu Vaccine
  • Measles
  • Rubella
  • Chickenpox
  • Pneumonia
  • Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Our doctors are trained to prescribe travel medication to prevent illnesses and injuries occurring to travellers going abroad and manage problems arising in travellers coming back from abroad. They focus on improved health and safety services for tourists. Other travel-specific vaccines are also available based on the requirements or per request.

Intravenous Infusions

Some medications must be given by an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion. This means they’re sent directly into your vein using a needle or tube. With IV administration, a thin plastic tube called an IV catheter is inserted into your vein.

Men’s Health

Statistics prove that compared to women, men visit the doctor less frequently, have shorter visits, and only attend when their illness is in its later stages. Many deny feeling unwell or concerned at first and would prefer to ‘shrug it off’ rather than address a health problem. Beyond prostate cancer and sports injuries, men’s health encompasses a wide range of concerns. Men have specific health needs that require attention at various points throughout their lifetime. Unfortunately, many Australian men do not take the time required to take care of themselves by visiting the GP as often as they should.

It might be time you have a general check-up. Between 45 and 64 years of age is prime time for determining patient risk factors and offering to screen for health conditions. Multimorbidity, particularly physical–mental health comorbidity, is an important issue in mid-life years. Planned health checks in the general practice of middle-aged adults have been demonstrated to improve the management of smoking, nutrition, alcohol, and physical activity (SNAP) behavioural risk factors, screening for bowel cancer, and hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol).

Mental Health Consultations and Child, Adolescent, Perinatal and Adult Mental Telehealth

Mental Health is often overlooked or recognition of it still has some stigma in society. At SKMC we understand how it can have a “ripple effect” on families, creating tension, uncertainties, troubled emotions, and big changes in how people live their lives. SKMC provides empathetic, non-judgemental consultations. Through a Mental Health care plan, you can have psychological support services, and if needed Telehealth services help to link with Psychiatrists to get the right management of your mental health condition. SKMC is also supported by Psychiatrists who specialise in Child and Adolescent Mental health and Perinatal mental health services. We also have psychologists onsite. Please contact the Reception on 02 7228 5898 for more details.

Preventive Care

At SKMC we believe in “Prevention is better than Cure”. Preventive Care is discussed and monitored throughout your journey with SKMC. Preventive Care includes:

  • Cervical Screening test ( formerly called Pap Smear) for Females of age group 25-75yrs
  • Mammogram for Females 50yrs and older
  • Bowel Cancer Screening for all above 50yrs
  • Prostate Screening for Men over 50yr
  • Screening for Diabetes in high-risk population
  • Bone Mineral Density for all above 70yr
  • Skin cancer checks for all
  • Cardiovascular risk assessment for all

Sexual health checks

Our doctors provide Sexual Health check-ups for diagnosis of any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The clinic provides a choice of male and female doctors for your convenience.

Skin Checks including Biopsies and removal of Skin Lesions

Skin cancer is so common in our part of the world, and regular skin cancer checks are so important. The monitoring of new or changing lesions can allow for early detection and treatment of melanomas. Early detection and treatment of skin cancer will better your chance of avoiding surgery or, in the case of a serious melanoma or other skin cancer, potential disfigurement, or even death. Talk to your trusted GP about your level of risk and for advice on early detection. Our doctors use medical equipment, such as dermatoscopes, to closely examine skin lesions thoroughly, beyond what the naked eye can see.  In some cases, where further investigation is required, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist.  

All of our doctors operate within their scope of practice and are trained in the management of skin conditions, such as acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and skin infections.

Spirometry

Spirometry is a test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring how much air you inhale, how much you exhale and how quickly you exhale. Spirometry is used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other conditions that affect a patient’s breathing.

Venesection

Venesection also termed as Phlebotomy is the act of drawing or removing blood from the circulatory system through a cut (incision) or puncture for the purpose of analysis, blood donations or treatment for blood disorders. Our clinical staff is capable of the procedures in the treatment room for conditions like Haemochromatosis.

Women’s health

One of the female GPs at SKMC is trained and has worked in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. There are also female doctors available every day of the week.

Breast and vaginal issues, menstruation or hormonal problems, fertility advice, unplanned pregnancy, sexual dysfunction, bladder leakage, ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer, STI/STD treatments, menopause management and more. When it comes to women’s health issues, there’s not much we don’t cover – from contraception to menopause and everything in between.

Pre-Employment Medicals

At SKMC we have responded to the needs of the Business and Industrial community in the region, providing quick and seamless access for pre-employment checks and work-related injuries as well as drug and alcohol tests and heavy vehicle driving assessments.

Our comprehensive medical examinations are conducted by experienced Nurses and GPs and whenever necessary our colleagues in Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology perform job-matched Functional Assessments. We do it in a timely manner and promptly send the required documentation very quickly so your prospective employee can start at the earliest.

In addition, if necessary or if required by the employer, we can perform in-house examinations:

  • ECG – Resting Heart Trace
  • Spirometry – Lung Function Testing
  • Audiometric Testing – For industrial Deafness
  • Visual Fields Examination – Peripheral Vision testing
  • Drug Screening – Urine or Saliva Testing
  • Alcohol Testing – Using Breathalyser
  • Skin cancer screening and Surveillance for outdoor workers – using Dermoscopy and Mole-Mapping

Work Injury Management

We have experienced GPs and nurses, and a great admin team to attend to your injured workers on an urgent basis. We aim to see them the same day or the next business day! And we can follow them up after their hospital presentations too. We work with other experienced local and regional professionals to treat and get them back into work as soon as possible and support them through the process.

We work with Rehabilitation Physicians, Surgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Physicians, Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Clinical Psychologists, and Optometrists to promote recovery and return to work. We believe the best place to recover is back at work! We provide employers with simple documentation and work with you, with the worker’s consent. 

We refer to local Radiology and Pathology providers (One available in-house), if additional investigations are required. We can also organise Psychometric testing with Psychologists for your existing and future employees.