DNA Policy

Why We Have This Policy

At Goyder’s Line Medical, we have implemented a Did Not Attend (DNA) policy to ensure the highest level of service for all patients. We recognise that securing an appointment with a GP can sometimes be challenging, and one significant factor contributing to this difficulty is patient non-attendance.

We understand that emergencies can arise unexpectedly. If an emergency prevents you from attending your appointment in person or via phone, please contact the practice as soon as possible.

DNA Procedure

As a practice, we are committed to minimising missed appointments (DNAs). To help reduce DNAs, we send text message reminders to patients who have opted to receive them, 24 hours prior to their appointment. This reminder is a courtesy service, and failure to receive an SMS reminder does not exempt you from your responsibility to attend your appointment.

Due to the high demand for appointments and the increasing number of missed appointments, we will charge the gap fee for any DNA. We hope this policy will both discourage non-attendance and help recover the costs associated with missed appointments. These fees apply to all types of appointments.

DNA

If an appointment is missed, and you have not rescheduled or cancelled giving a minimum of 2 hours’ notice, you will be invoiced for the gap fee associated with the missed appointment. Please be aware that this fee, as well as any other outstanding fees, must be paid before you can book another appointment. If the missed appointment was to be bulk billed, the gap fee for an equivalent private appointment will apply. DNA fees are not eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Reinstatement of your ability to book will only occur once these fees have been cleared. Additionally, you may be required to pre-pay for any future appointments. If requested, we can transfer a copy of your medical records to another clinic of your choice at our standard cost. Please contact the clinic to arrange this transfer.

Avoid Becoming a DNA

If you cannot attend or no longer need an appointment, please let us know in advance.
If you need to cancel an appointment, you can do this in any one of the following ways:

  1. In person at the Reception Desk
  2. Phone:  Jamestown 08 8664 1078, Peterborough 08 8677 6500, Orroroo 08 8677 5500
  3. Reply “N” to appointment SMS reminder (sent 24 hours prior)

 

It is the Patient’s responsibility to:                                                                

Advise the Practice of any change to their contact details.

Attend their arranged clinic appointment or reschedule giving a minimum of 2 hours’ notice.

To help us improve our systems and make more appointments available for patients to book, please adhere to our Practice Policy.