84 Hare Street Echuca
Phone: (03) 5480 6252 Fax: (03) 5480 6116
Monday – Thursday 8:30—4.30pm
Friday 8:30—4.00pm
After Hours Care is
Provided by Echuca Regional Health
226 Service Street, Echuca
Ph: 03 54855000.
In an emergency, call an ambulance (000)
Some of Njernda’s clinical services are available to Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander patients only. Njernda Medical Centre participates in the Practice Incentives Program Indigenous Health Initiative. Please speak to reception about access to any of our services. • Hearing • Wound Clinic • Asthma Clinic • Ante Natal Clinic • Health Assessments • Immunisation / Vaccination • Women’s Health / Sexual Health • Pap Tests • Diabetes screening / Education • Maternity Program/Antenatal clinic • Chronic Disease Management • Aboriginal Integrated Team Care
New patients must complete a registration form, provide identification & Medicare Card prior to consultation. We can assist to transfer your records from your previous healthcare provider.
Don’t forget to advise reception if any of your personal details change e.g. telephone, address, etc.
Doctors are able to accept calls for emergency advice. To prevent constant disruptions whilst consulting, calls will usually be returned at the end of the consulting session, or you may choose to speak with a nurse.
Try to plan your appointment ahead of time. If you need an urgent appointment, please ring as early as possible on that day. Emergency appointments will be triaged. If you think you may need extra time with the doctor, please ask reception staff for a longer appointment. Bring your Medicare & pension card with you. Please notify us if you are unable to attend your appointment so we may offer it to another unwell patient. If several members of the family wish to see the doctor at the same time, please advise reception who will make a separate appointment for each person. Appointments are scheduled as 1 client per consultation. Despite best intentions, we sometimes run late. This may be because someone has needed unexpected additional care. Thank you for your understanding. If waiting concerns you, please telephone prior to your appointment to see if there is a possible delay.
Njernda is a BULK BILLING practice. GP consultations which fall under the Medicare schedule will be billed to Medicare Australia using your Medicare Card. For care other than that specified by Medicare, a fee may apply. Your GP will advise of potential out of pocket expenses.
Patients should make an appointment to discuss all test results. Results are not given over the telephone. You may receive an SMS message to make an appointment.
Home visits are available for regular patients who reside within 10 km of the practice. Home visits are restricted to those too ill to attend the surgery. If you require a home visit telephone the clinic & advise reception staff.
Aboriginal patients can request transport to attend to medical appointments. Depending on availability, transport is not always possible. These arrangements should be made when making appointments.
Our Clinic uses computer generated recall systems to enhance the efficiency of your care & prevent patients missing important reviews with the doctor e.g. reminders for health assessments, diabetic reviews etc. Patients are offered enrolment in National, State or Territory reminder systems. You may receive SMS reminders.
We are able to arrange Translating & Interpreter Service (TIS) including deaf support (NABS). If you need support to understand or complete documents, reception staff are able to help. You may request a health worker or advocate to attend your medical appointment for support.
Your medical record is a confidential document which can only be accessed by authorised staff & may only be shared with your consent. Electronic communication of documents is encrypted. Privacy brochures are available at reception.
We encourage feedback as it helps us know what we are doing well & what needs improvement. If you are not satisfied with our service, please contact us. We take complaints seriously & aim to resolve them quickly & fairly. If you remain dissatisfied with our response, you may contact the Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC). The HCC responds to complaints about health services & the handling of health information in Victoria. Their service is free, confidential & impartial. Phone 1300 582 113 or visit hcc.vic.gov.au
Dr Mary-Lou Loughnan: GP, Child/Adolescent Dr Catherine Colliver: GP Dr Klasine Visscher: GP Dr Naresh Pandit: GP Reg
Dr Rhys Parry: Paediatrician; Dr Richard O’Brien: Endocrinology
Aboriginal Health Practitioner - Jackie, Vivianne, Rebecca Admin Team: Megan, Maria, Verona, Jude Medical Driver- Bradley Midwife or Nurse - Kim, Trish, Marg, Sarah, Courtney Maternity Project Worker- Renee
Our Wellbeing unit consists of Drug & Alcohol, Social Emotional Wellbeing, Safety & Wellbeing (Stolen Gen) Workers & Mental Health Counsellors.
Audiology - Diabetes Education - Child Maternal Health - Midwife - Optometry - Endocrinology - Podiatry Speech Pathology - Dietitian- Paediatrician - Psychology - Mental Health Counselling
Your Medical Record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff. Further details available in our Privacy Principles brochure located in reception.
Empowering Our Aboriginal Community
Our aim is to give our patients the highest possible quality of care, by ensuring excellence in all aspects of our practice while providing culturally appropriate and centered care. We endeavor to provide patients with the best and most current treatments, methods, materials, and equipment within our resource capabilities to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of service they have come to expect. We believe that the patients come first. Teamwork is highly valued and encouraged within the practice to promote a harmonious and productive environment. We hold great importance in ethical and responsible behavior as essential to maintain the trust and loyalty of our patients and staff. We are guided by our Strategic Plan.
Respect: Establishing relationships based on respect & Trust Accountability: Taking ownership & initiative of Njernda values to ensure trusted collaborations are formed Resilience: Encouraging cultural & spiritual growth to enable personal growth Advocacy: Working to transform the disadvantaged & challenge the causes that impact on our community Cultural Sensitivity: Welcoming & serving our community with understanding & without judgement