Patient Information
Welcome to Ashburton Podiatry Clinic. This page explains what to expect at your visit, what to bring, fees, and practical details to help your appointment run smoothly.
Before Your Appointment
Booking: Please call the clinic directly on 9885 9910 to schedule your appointment. All bookings are handled personally by our reception team to ensure your clinical needs are triaged correctly.
Medical History: Please bring a current list of any prescribed medications and a summary of your relevant medical history—especially regarding diabetes, circulatory issues, or neurological conditions.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Check‑In: A brief administration and medical history review at reception.
Clinical Assessment: Footwear analysis, gait/biomechanical assessment, skin and nail inspection, and any necessary diagnostic tests.
Treatment Plan: A thorough explanation of findings, a recommended management plan, home care guidance, and follow‑up options.
Typical Timing: Initial assessments run 30–45 minutes; routine follow‑up appointments run 15–30 minutes.
Common Treatments & Notes
Callus Care & Debridement: Performed meticulously by the podiatrist; generally painless with immediate mechanical relief.
Nail Care & Ingrown Nails: Detailed clinical assessment and conservative treatment; surgical referral options are discussed if structurally required.
Diabetic Foot Checks: Annual or frequent high-status checks for at-risk patients utilizing strict infection prevention protocols.
Orthotics & Footwear Advice: Comprehensive structural assessment and recommendations; custom orthotic therapy may require precise measurements and a subsequent follow‑up fitting.
Fees & Payments
Payment Methods: Cash, EFTPOS, and Visa/Mastercard are accepted at reception at the time of consultation.
Rebates: Medicare/EPC rebates apply if you have an eligible GP referral. Please bring your valid referral documentation and your Medicare card. Private health rebates may also apply; please check your specific podiatry coverage with your insurer prior to your visit.
Why We Do Not Participate in the "Support at Home" Program
You may have a "Support at Home" budget (formerly known as a Home Care Package). The administrative rules for this program require small, private clinics to sign complex individual agency contracts, undergo expensive compliance audits, and manage heavy daily data entry.
To ensure we can keep our focus on your direct clinical treatment, we have chosen not to register for the Support at Home scheme.
How You Can Still Access Care (The Medicare EPC Scheme)
We continue to fully participate in the Medicare Chronic Disease Management (formerly EPC) program. This remains a straightforward option for patients managing long-term conditions like Diabetes or Arthritis.
The GP Visit: Visit your General Practitioner to discuss a Chronic Condition Management Plan.
The Referral: Your GP can allocate a referral for up to 5 subsidized podiatry visits per calendar year.
The Rebate: Medicare provides a standard rebate of $63.40 per visit.
The Private Gap: As a private billing clinic, a small "gap" fee applies between the Medicare rebate and our standard consultation fee. You pay the clinic fee in full on the day, and reception will process your $63.40 Medicare refund directly back to your account on the spot.
Cancellations & Late Arrivals
To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please phone the clinic by 8:30 am on the morning of your appointment at the latest to avoid a cancellation fee.
If you arrive late, we may need to shorten your appointment time or reschedule your visit to respect the timing of subsequent patients.
Privacy & Consent
Your personal and clinical data is treated with the strictest confidentiality. All clinical notes are securely stored in our encrypted practice management system for your ongoing care. For more information on how we collect, handle, and protect your digital records, please view our full Privacy Policy page.
Accessibility & Parking
Accessibility: The clinic features step‑free access and full wheelchair accessibility. Physical assistance from our staff is readily available if required upon arrival.
Parking & Transport: A dedicated clinic carpark is located at the rear of the building, accessed directly from George Street. Street parking is also available on George Street. For public transport users, the nearest bus stop is located directly outside the clinic on Warrigal Road.
Urgent or After‑Hours Care
For acute foot problems outside of standard clinic hours (such as severe localized infection, uncontrolled bleeding, or significant lower limb trauma), please present immediately to your nearest hospital emergency department or contact emergency services (000). For non‑urgent after‑hours enquiries, please leave a voicemail message and our team will respond during the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a referral? No, a referral is not required for private general podiatry consultations. A formal GP referral is only required if you are claiming specific Medicare/EPC rebates.
I have an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) / Chronic Disease Management plan from my GP. Is the visit free?
Answer: No, we do not bulk bill. We operate as a private billing clinic. If you have an eligible EPC referral from your GP, you will pay the standard consultation fee at reception on the day, and we will process your paperwork so Medicare can deposit your eligible rebate directly into your nominated bank account.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Answer: It is best to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. If you are having a walking or gait assessment, shorts, trousers that can be easily rolled up to the knee, or activewear are ideal so your lower limbs can be clearly examined.
How long after an initial assessment will I get my orthotics?
Answer: If custom orthotic therapy is recommended during your biomechanical assessment, measurements and casts will be taken. Because each device is custom-manufactured to your exact structural requirements, they typically take between 1 to 2 weeks to be fabricated. A dedicated, shorter follow-up appointment will then be scheduled to precisely fit them to your footwear.
Are you registered and insured? Yes. Graeme Lovel, Registered Podiatrist.
AHPRA Registration No: POD0001036348
Provider Number: 2226552J
Comprehensive public liability and professional indemnity insurance are permanently maintained.
Can I claim my treatment on the spot with my private health fund?
Answer: Yes. Our clinic is equipped with a HICAPS terminal. If your private health insurance covers podiatry, please bring your physical membership card to your appointment so we can process your claim immediately at reception, leaving you to only pay the remaining gap amount.
Is there public transport access nearby?
Answer: Yes. The nearest bus stop is located directly outside the clinic on Warrigal Road. If you are arriving by car, there is a dedicated, step-free car park located at the rear of the building, which you can access directly from George Street.
Do you provide home visits?
No. To ensure the highest standard of clinical care, all consultations and treatments are conducted strictly on-site at our fully equipped Ashwood clinic. This allows immediate access to specialized medical equipment, proper sterilization protocols, and optimal lighting for diagnostic assessments.
Quick Pre-Visit Checklist
Wear comfortable clothing and bring your most frequently worn daily footwear.
Bring your Medicare Card, GP referral paperwork (if applicable), and any recent imaging or diagnostic reports.
Arrive 5–10 minutes early to complete your initial paperwork at reception.
Contact Options
Phone: 9885 9910 (Primary contact method for all bookings, updates, and clinical enquiries)
Email: ashburtonpodiatry@outlook.com (Strictly for non‑urgent, general administrative or billing queries only. Appointments cannot be booked or changed via email).