Home › Patient information

Patient information

Understand and become actively involved in your health care with our patient information. We want you to have an easy and simple visit.

On this page: Your appointment Health insurance Frequently asked questions Useful forms

15 minutes earlyThere is paperwork to complete before you go in.
24 hours' noticeTo change or cancel, so the appointment can go to somebody else.
One numberReception books every clinic and every practitioner. (08) 8130 1222

Before you come in

What to bring

A current referral (required for private health and Medicare rebate)
Medicare card
Private health insurance card (if applicable)
DVA card (if applicable)
Claim number (workers’ compensation and third party patients) and contact details for your case manager*
A list of your current medication
A list of any known allergies
Any relevant x-rays, scans and/or medical reports
PATS travel forms for authorisation by your surgeon (for country patients).

Workers’ compensation and third party patients must have a current claim and approval from their case manager to attend. In the event of a claim not being accepted, the patient is personally responsible for any costs incurred.

Please bring these with you rather than sending them ahead. Email and fax are not secure, and your health information should not travel that way. If anything is unclear, call us on (08) 8130 1222 and we will talk it through.

The orthopaedic surgeons reception desk, staff at three screens beneath a wall sign reading orthopaedic surgeons — Reception, orthopaedic surgeons.

Your appointment

From booking it to walking in

1
Make an appointment
A GP referral is required to book an appointment with one of our orthopaedic surgeons. A referral ensures that the surgeon you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition or injury. Medicare also provide higher rebates for patients with a GP referral. All patients including private health members, uninsured, workers’ compensation, DVA, third party and public liability patients are welcome at sportsmed.
Our surgeons are based at the Stepney Healthcare Hub with appointments available Monday to Friday.
Appointments are also available at our Morphett Vale and Henley Beach locations. They also regularly visit and consult in Broken Hill, Darwin, Goolwa, Mildura, Mount Barker, Salisbury Plain and St Agnes.
To make an appointment with one of our surgeons, contact the switchboard.
2
Day of appointment
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your allocated appointment time. Our staff will provide you with the appropriate paperwork required to be completed before the consultation with your surgeon.
In order for your surgeon to provide you with the best possible treatment and care, a detailed understanding of your past and present health is required. Please advise your surgeon of your previous medical history, current medical conditions and the medications you are taking, including those purchased over the counter. This information is very important. It may affect how you recover from your condition/injury and also potentially alter the course of treatment.
Once your surgeon has examined you, he will discuss your condition/injury with you and the necessary treatment plan. This may include further tests or physiotherapy. If surgery is required this will be explained to you. It is vital that you fully understand your condition/injury, treatment options available to you, your surgeon’s recommendations, potential risks associated with treatment, recovery time and the rehabilitation process. If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with your surgeon at the time of consultation.
3
Financial information
For consultations with our orthopaedic surgeons, please bring along your private health insurance card or relevant documentation (workers’ compensation, DVA, third party etc.), if applicable, and Medicare card to ensure your claim can be processed at the time of consultation.
All private health funds and patients including uninsured are welcome at sportsmed. We recommend you check your level of cover with your private health fund to know exactly what you are entitled to for each consultation and the gap you may be expected to pay. Any gap payments are expected to be settled on the day of consultation.
We ask that all accounts are settled on the day of consultation via EFT, Visa Card, Mastercard, cheque or cash.
4
Cancellation policy
We understand your time is valuable. All of our practitioners endeavour to run on schedule and your punctual attendance will assist this. Please feel free to ring us 30 minutes prior to your appointment to confirm if your practitioner is running on time. Should you arrive late for your appointment your practitioner will do their best to provide you with your full treatment time, but in rare instances, appointments may need to be rescheduled.
We do ask that you contact us and give at least 24 hours’ notice should you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. Regular cancellations or cancellations with less than 24-hour notice may incur a cancellation fee.

A clinician seated with a patient, holding a small anatomical model of a knee joint and pointing to it while explaining — Talking a patient through the joint before anything is decided.

Before you come in

The questions we are asked most

A clinician seated with a patient in a bright consulting room, the patient's leg resting across in front of her

How do I make an appointment?

To make an appointment with any of our services at any location, contact our switchboard on 08 8130 1222 .

Do I need a GP referral to see a practitioner at sportsmed?

A GP referral is only required to arrange an appointment with our orthopaedic surgeons. You do not require a referral to visit us for physiotherapy, sports doctors, podiatry, massage, exercise physiology, Clinical Pilates, dietitian, psychology or gym services.

What type of patients can visit sportsmed?

We provide specialist healthcare to people and families of all ages. Our team can assist with damaged or diseased bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves, while offering services to assist with short-term acute illnesses, chronic long-term conditions, mental health, fitness, diet and nutrition, and more.

Does sportsmed treat patients without private health insurance?

All patients including uninsured, private health members, workers’ compensation, DVA, third party and public liability are welcome at sportsmed.

Where is sportsmed located?

We have the following locations: Stepney Healthcare Hub Blackwood Henley Beach Mitcham Morphett Vale Our orthopaedic surgeons also provide consultation services at: Broken Hill Base Hospital Darwin – Territory Sportsmedicine Goolwa Medical Centre Mildura – Advantage Health Group (EDHS) Mt Barker – Summit Health Salisbury Plain – Northcare Physio St Agnes Specialist Centre.

Do I need to pay when I visit?

Yes. We ask that all accounts are settled on the day of consultation via EFT, Visa Card, Mastercard, cheque or cash. Physiotherapy and podiatry services provide onsite HICAPS.

What can I claim back on services at sportsmed?

All private health funds are accepted at sportsmed. Physiotherapy services at our Blackwood, Henley Beach, Morphett Vale and Stepney locations are also a part of the Health Partners network. Health funds can cover a percentage of the cost for consultations at sportsmed. We recommend you check your level of cover to know exactly what you are entitled for each visit and the gap you may be expected to pay. You can also claim a rebate under a Chronic Disease Management Program (formerly Enhanced Primary Care or EPC) which must be obtained via a GP referral. There are criteria to meet to qualify for the program and it is only available to patients with chronic or terminal medical conditions (present for six months or longer).

Is parking available at sportsmed?

sportsmed provides free onsite parking at our Stepney Healthcare Hub (up to a maximum of 2 hours) and Morphett Vale. Our Blackwood, Mitcham and Henley Beach locations have limited parking available onsite. We ask all patients to allow adequate time for parking to help you arrive at your appointment on schedule.

Useful forms

Registration form

Filling this in before you come saves time at the desk. Print it, complete it by hand and bring it with you to your first appointment along with the items listed above.

Registration form (PDF, 2 pages)

There is no need to send it ahead. Bring the printed form with you, or come fifteen minutes early and complete it at reception.