What do we do?
The General Medicine Clinic provides outpatient care to patients in the Ballarat region. It is currently staffed by general physicians and general medical registrar. We aim to improve patient symptoms, quality of life and reduce their need for hospitalisation.
General Medicine Clinics follow up recent admissions to hospital, in particular when the number of conditions and complexity of care and information might require a longer visit with a specialist rather than your usual GP.
We view our role as a partnership with you, your GP, and other health professionals involved in your health care.
What can you expect?
Your GP should explain to you the reason you have been referred to a specialist, and what tests have already been done as a part of assessment and monitoring.
The hospital team will have access to review your medical record with recent admissions, clinic visits, and tests performed at Grampians Health Ballarat.
How can you access the service?
You will need a referral from your GP. Hospital doctors may refer you to the clinic to follow up after a hospital admission.
The General Medicine Clinic provides ambulatory care of patients in the Ballarat region. It is currently staffed by general physicians and general medical registrars. We aim to improve patients symptoms and quality of life and reduce hospitalisation for patients.
General Medicine Clinics have a particular role to follow up recent admissions to hospital, particularly when the number of conditions and complexity of care and information may require a longer visit with a specialist rather than the first visit post admission with the GP.
We see our role as a partnership with patients, their GP, and allied health.
It is worth noting that our General Medicine Clinics have some general interests and these are now being supported by clinics in respiratory medicine to support Med A and renal medicine to support Med B.
Please refer to referral criteria for those clinics (we may divert to the most appropriate clinic based on the information provided)
How to refer
Version 9 BHS SMART referral template is currently in development - please select General Medicine when using the SMART template. Or you may wish to address your referral to General Medicine Clinic – Knight et al (A) Hurley or Jayasinge.
Please fax referrals to (03) 5320 4822.
Who to refer
Patients with complex medical conditions with any of the following:
- not currently managed by a physician
- who are at high risk of hospital admission
- have multiple comorbidities
- where the diagnosis is uncertain
Information required on referral
- History of heart failure symptoms (including impact on patient’s activities of daily living) and past cardiac history
- Current and past medications
- Transthoracic echocardiogram results
- Relevant pathology results including FBE, iron studies, U&E, TFT, LFT, ECG, CXR
Further information:
Clinical Lead: Dr Edward Ritchie, General Physician (03) 5320 4322.
Specialist Clinics: GP Hotline (03) 5320 6800
Ballarat Base Hospital Level 4 Outpatients
Location
1 Drummond Street North
Ballarat VIC 3350
Phone
Opening Hours
Wednesday 1.30pm - 5.00pm (Medical Unit B and D)
Thursday 1.30pm - 5.00pm (Medical Units A and C)
Have something to tell us? We welcome all feedback from patients, family members or carers. Tell us more.