The Nepean Division of General Practice has a 24 hour blood pressure monitoring machine available.
Once referred by their GP, patients simply call the Division on
4721 1150 to arrange an appointment.
Information for patients:
- Monitor will be fitted in the morning of your appoinment and you will be required to return the following morning to have it removed.
- You are unable to shower whilst wearing the monitor.
- It is recommended you wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Once removed, your results will be printed and given to you to take to your GP.
Appointments available:
Monday to Thursday
9.30am returning next day 9.00am
10.00am returning next day 9.30am
Cost
$20.00
Pensioner/Health Card $10.00
The Australian Government has introduced 2 new programs to help Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians better manage their health, especially Chronic Disease/s.
The Aboriginal Health Practice Incentive Program (PIP) for GPs is to help patients manage chronic disease/s and to ensure the patients have access to the care they need.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment measure may give patients access to free or cheaper medicines.
The NDGP has 2 Aboriginal Outreach Workers to assist Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander patients with their health needs and any barriers they face.
For a flyer on the Closing The Gap initiative, click
here.
A service for Nepean brought to the community through the collaborative efforts of the Nepean Divison of General Practice and NSW Health.
About the Clinic
The Nepean After Hours GP Clinic is staffed by a roster of local GPs and is designed to treat patients when their regular GP is not available. Patients who come to the After Hours GP Clinic will be treated and then referred back to their regular GP for ongoing care and consultations. For this reason, the Nepean After Hours GP Clinic should not be used to replace visits to your regular GP.
Where is it?
The Nepean After Hours GP Clinic is conveniently located in the Outpatient Department of the Nepean Hospital (West Block) in Penrith. There is pay-parking available directly across from the clinic.
No appointment needed
You do not need to make an appointment to be treated at the Nepean After Hours GP Clinic.
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
8.00pm till Midnight
Saturday
4.00pm till Midnight
Sunday & Public Holidays
2.00pm till 10.00pm
Bulk Billing
Your consultation and treatment at the Nepean After Hours GP Clinic will be bulk billed. You are required to show your Medicare Card and photo ID when you arrive at the clinic.
Your Choice
You now have the choice to attend either the Emergency Department or, for less serious conditions, the After Hours GP Clinic. If you have come from the Emergency Department, please inform the clinic's reception staff and they will help you determine if the GP Clinic is right for you. Please note: the GP clinic is
NOT a short-cut to the Emergency Department.
Treatment Summaries
A treatment summary will be provided for your regular GP when you have been treated at the clinic. The purpose of the treatment summary is to help maintain accurate and up-to-date medical records for you and your family. These records help your GP provide you with the best possible ongoing care.
Pharmacy
The Nepean After Hours GP Clinic will provide patients with a list of pharmacists and their operating hours when they receive a prescription. No medications are kept on the premises.
When the clinic is closed
When the clinic is closed, patients are advised to contact their regular GP or go to their nearest Emergency Department.
Your opinion matters
To provide us with feedback about the Nepean After Hours GP Clinic, please contact the After Hours Business Manager at the Nepean Divison of General Practice by calling 4721 1150 during business hours.
You can also send a letter to:
Nepean Division of General Practice
PO Box 903
Penrith NSW 2750
Alternatively you can email:
admin@nepeandgp.org.au
Contact us
To contact the GP Clinic after 8pm or on weekends, please call 4734 4990.
The Healthy Lifestyle Dietetic Service has been in operation in Penrith
for almost 10 years. We have two Accredited Practicing Dietitians. All
are members of the Dietitian's Association of Australia and registered
with Medicare, The Department of Veterans Affairs and Private Health
Insurance providers.
We have experience in many different areas of nutritional therapy including:
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Coeliac disease
- Eating disorders
- Food Allergies
- Family nutrition
- Osteoporosis
- Metabolic Syndrome
- General Nutrition
- Blood pressure
- Weight managment
- Fatty liver
......And much more.
Contact Details
The Healthy Lifestyle Dietetic Service
The Old Council Chambers Building (red brick building)
Corner of Henry & Station Streets, Penrith
PO Box 903 Penrith 2751
Ph: 4731 8055
Fax: 4721 1176
Location Map
Click here to download a map.
The following is a list of the services provided as part of the Healthy Lifestyle Dietetic Service.
1. INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS BY A DIETITIAN
We have two Accredited Practicing Dietitans:
Robyn Sparkes B.AppSc.M.Nutr&Diet.APD
Deepali Vasani B.AppSc.M.Nutr&Diet.APD
Dietitian appointments are available:
Weekdays between 9am - 3pm.
Earlier and later appointments may be made
by special arrangement. There are no weekend or evening appointments.
A GP referral is not essential, however, is advisable to facilitate a team approach to your care.
HOW DO GPs REFER PATIENTS TO THE DIETITIAN?
GPs may refer patients for an individual consultation with an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
- GP identifies a patient in need of diet assessment and education.
- GP completes referral form
- For EPC patients - GP completes Referral Form for Allied Health
Services under Medicare - For other patients - GP writes a letter
outlining the reason for the referral
- Patient
contacts the Nepean Division of General Practice, Healthy Lifestyle
Dietetic Service to arrange an appointment. Phone 4731 8055.
- EPC
patients are bulk billed; other patients are charged for the service
but may claim a rebate through private health insurance.
- Dietitian fees are available by phoning 4731 8055.
2. HEALTHY SUPERMARKET TOURS
GPs
may recommend that a patient attend a Supermarket Tour to increase
awareness of healthy foods and how to read food labels. The tour is
suitable for people of all ages and health status, however, they must
be able to stand and walk around the supermarket. (Tours last about 1
1/2 hours).
Patients may be referred as part of the Diabetes Group
- GP identifies a patient in need of education on healthy eating.
- GP informs the patient about Supermarket Tours
- Patient contacts the Nepean Division of General Practice on 4721 1150 to make a booking on the next Supermarket Tour.
Cost of each tour is $15. This includes 1 1/2 hour tour and information kit.
Patients
with Type II Diabetes may be referred under a GP management plan (item
721) for Group Services for people with Type II Diabetes (click here
for referral form). Medicare rebates are available for these patients.
3. INFORMATION ON LOCAL EXERCISE CLASSES
HEARTMOVES CLASSES
Heartmoves
classes are conducted in the Nepean area. The classes are a suitable
exercise option for people managing stable medical conditions such as
cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and osteoporosis. They are
also suitable for anyone who has not exercised for a while or simply
for those who want to regain lost condition slowly.
For a list of local Heartmoves classes click on the Heartmoves
logo below and scroll down to 'Recources. Then click on the 'download'
button for the 'locality guide'
A Heartmoves DVD/Video
is also available for those who are unable to attend classes. In the
Heartmoves link below, scroll down to the last paragraph under 'Where
are programs available' and click where indicated to purchase your copy
.
RIPPLES HYDROTHERAPY AND EXERCISE CENTRE
For details on classes conducted at Ripples Hydrotherapy and Exercise Centre, click on the Ripples logo below.
For more information, costs or to book an appointment, please phone (02) 4731 8055
What is a Home Medicines Review?
A Home Medicines Review is a free health service funded by the Commonwealth Government.
A Home Medicines Review involves a pharmacist visiting you at home and reviewing all of your medicines. The pharmacist then works together with your doctor to develop a plan to manage and record the medicines you take.
By working together with you, your doctor and pharmacist can identify any medication problems and make sure your medicines are:
- The best treatment option for you
-
Suitable and safe to take together
For further information, a brochure can be downloaded
here.
The Division runs two main mental health programs:
The Link Project
The Link Project offers low cost psychology services if you have mental health issues. You must have a health care card/pension concession card to be referred. Your GP will also need to do an assessment and create a Mental Health Treatment Plan for referral. You can have up to 12 sessions in a calendar year, and you will need to stay in contact with your GP for regular reviews.
Mental Health Nurse Service
The Mental Health Nurse service is for people with mental health disorders that are affecting multiple areas of their lives. The Mental Health Nurse works closely with your GP to support you. You might need help with:
-
Understanding and taking your medication
-
Watching your physical health as well as your mental health
-
Linking you with local services like accommodation and social support
-
Your GP will need to do an assessment to determine whether the Mental Health Nurse service will suit your needs.
Please note mental health services offered by the Nepean Division are not crisis services. If you need urgent help call the Mental Health ACCESS Team 1800 650 749
Other mental health services and information
Local Psychology Services
If you don’t meet criteria for the Division’s mental health services, you may be able to access psychology services by referral under Medicare. Search here for psychologists and social workers in the Nepean area.
Useful websites
For anxiety and depression
www.beyondblue.org.au
www.crufad.com
moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome
For postnatal depression
Beyondblue –
Postnatal Depression
Black Dog Institute –
Depression in Pregnancy and Postnatally
Family, Friends and Carers
Beyondblue –
Family and Friends
Carers Australia 1800 242 636
Helplines, Information and Services
GROW 1800 558 268 –
www.grow.net.au
Peer support for mental health
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
www.kidshelp.com.au
Lifeline 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
Mensline 1300 78 99 78
www.menslineaus.org.au
Mental Health ACCESS Team 1800 650 749
Sane Australia 1800 18 SANE (7263)
www.sane.org
Schizophrenia Fellowship NSW 1800 985 944
www.sfnsw.org.au
Established in 1998, NPS helps people to make better decisions about medicines and medical tests, leading to better health and economic outcomes.
We help health professionals keep up to date with the latest evidence and provide individuals with the tools and knowledge to make better decisions.
We are recognised worldwide for our work in quality use of medicines, we believe individuals are responsible for their health decisions. Everyone is entitled to impartial information that helps them to make better choices and get the most from their health professionals.
Get free medicine information for you at the
NPS Consumer website
The Junction is a youth specific GP clinic for marginalised people under 25 years of age.
Download:
For more details of this service please contact the Nepean Division of General Practice on 02 4721 1150
Group Exercise Programs for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Do you have diabetes? Do you need to lose weight?
Group exercise programs for people with type 2 diabetes are running at a variety of locations in the Nepean and lower Mountains areas. These programs run for 8 weeks and provide you with exercise activities and home based exercise plans in a supportive environment.
If you have type 2 diabetes and a GP Management Plan you are eligible to attend a Diabetes Group Exercise Program every calendar year. A referral from your GP is required.
These programs are subsidised by Medicare and many providers bulk bill.