CLINIC SERVICES

The doctors and nurses at Vermont Health Care offer the following services among others. If you require a service not listed on this page, please speak to your doctor.

Please call 9874 3344 to make an appointment. Alternatively, you can click on the top right corner of this webpage to Book Online.
We use HotDoc as our provider for our appointment system. They have provided this statement after the ABC report disclosed that an online booking provider, HealthEngine, had been passing on patient details to third parties.
HotDoc has a strict policy around how it handles any patient data as summarised below:
  • HotDoc does not pass on any patient data to 3rd parties
  • HotDoc does not engage in 3rd party advertising
  • HotDoc strictly abides by its Company Promise found here

When booking your appointment, the receptionist will ask you to confirm your address, best contact number and date of birth in addition to your name. We will also need to do this on other occasions such as when you request a repeat prescription or referral etc. The reason for this is to be sure we always have your correct record and there is no misidentification or mismatch.

In an effort to provide an efficient service, our receptionists will ask for your Medicare card at every visit.

Standard appointment times are for 10-15 minutes.

For multiple smaller problems or a complicated issue longer appointments are available, but please let the receptionist know when making your appointment. The gap fee for this does not change i.e: it is not more costly to you as a patient for a longer appointment once you receive your rebate from Medicare.

Consultations for completing medical reports and travel vaccinations and information also require long appointments. Please note that consultations for medical reports and travel vaccinations may not be covered by Medicare.

Urgent medical problems will always be dealt with as a matter of priority. Our staff are experienced in helping you decide the most appropriate action for your needs. See the About Us page for details on after hours consultations.

The doctors at Vermont Health Care can assist you with your asthma management and asthma action plans.
In cases where patients have an ongoing medical issue(s), the doctors may recommend the implementation of a Care Plan, to assist with monitoring symptoms and treatments, and achieving health care goals. This may also involve a Team Care Arrangement, particularly where there are several specialists or other providers involved in your care. The government provides specific funding in these cases which may entitle you to free podiatry, physiotherapy or dental visits. Please ask your doctor for more information during your consultation.
For most women Australian authorities recommend cervical screening every five years, although in some situations a shorter period is recommended. We have a recall system in place which will send you a reminder letter when it is time for your next cervical screening, however responsibility does lie with the patient so you are advised keep your own records and not rely completely on our reminder system. If you have had the cervical screening elsewhere we would appreciate you letting your doctor know, so that they can maintain an up-to-date medical record for you.
All of the doctors at Vermont Health Care are happy to do cervical screening, please let the receptionist know if you would prefer a female doctor. The results of cervical screening and HPV tests taken in this clinic are routinely forwarded to the National Cervical Screening Registry – please speak to your doctor if you have any problems with this policy.
All of the doctors at Vermont Health Care are available for confidential counselling. Please ensure you ask the receptionist for a long appointment when booking in.
All of our general practice nurses participate in diabetes management. Most appointments with the nurse will need to be 30 minutes long, and booked on a day when your own doctor is consulting if possible. Ensure you tell the receptionist that this is a diabetes visit when booking in.
Family planning services are provided by all of the doctors here. In addition, several of the doctors are registered to provide shared care throughout your pregnancy with various local hospitals.

Fracture Diversion Project in Conjunction with Eastern Melbourne PHN

Dr Jerry Hsu has been a part of a year-long project where fractures which are amenable for GP management are being seen and managed at the Vermont Health Care rooms. He has undergone further training and attachments at Box Hill Hospital to provide this service to patients. This service is open to the community as well and does not need a referral. If you have a suitable fracture and have been referred to the fracture clinic or Emergency Department at Box Hill Hospital or Maroondah Hospital, you may be offered a list of GPs in your area who are participating in this project.

Home visits are available for patients who are registered with us and who are unable to come to the clinic. These can be difficult to fit in, so please arrange as early in the day as possible. Please note that we are only able to provide visits locally, within the area bordered by Springvale Road, Whitehorse Road, Burwood Hwy, Dandenong Creek and Heatherdale Road.

The doctors also regularly visit patients in hostels and nursing homes in the area.

For more information please call the clinic as private fees may apply in some situations.

Iron deficiency anaemia can be treated on-site.  Please see your doctor for advice.

We are excited to announce that two of the doctors at Vermont Health Care are now able to provide Mirena insertion and removal services. Please feel free to arrange a consultation with Dr Sarah Friend and Dr Wayne Piez to discuss suitability, consent and address any questions you might have in relation to this procedure.  An initial consultation with the GP is required before booking an appointment for a Mirena insertion.

Kidney Stone Diversion Project in Conjunction with Eastern Melbourne PHN

Dr Jerry Hsu is actively involved in this project which helps reduce the burden of Eastern Health kidney stone clinics. If you have been instructed by the hospital to see us about your kidney stone, please call our reception to book in your appointment.

Liquid nitrogen is often used to “freeze” off sunspots and warts – please ask your doctor if you have any concerns.

All of the doctors at Vermont Health Care are able to do general medical checks for employment or other purposes. It is preferable for you to make these appointments with your usual doctor, since they will be the most familiar with your history. Please let the receptionist know you would like a medical when making your appointment so that a longer time can be allocated to you.

Minor surgical operations are offered by the doctors, such as suturing, removing moles, skin cancers etc. Please let the receptionist know when making your appointment, as you will generally need an extended appointment time and we will also need to book the treatment room for you.
An out of pocket fee applies to these procedures for all patients. Please discuss this with your doctor at the time of consultation.
Melbourne Pathology has a collection centre here at the clinic which can be contacted on 9872 5976. Their opening hours are 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday and 8:30 – 11:00am on Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays the Vermont branch is closed.
For centres with more extended opening hours check on the back of your referral form at the list of collection centres to find one that will suit you.
Our busiest time is from 8:30am to 11 am. Waiting times are less should you call after those hours. The doctors will be busy attending to their patients and their preference would be for you to make an appointment to address any issues. However, GPs will take and return phone calls where appropriate. Please tell the receptionist if the matter is urgent and leave your best available contact number with a short message with our receptionist to help your GP prioritise your return call.
Doctors will take or return phone calls from patients when appropriate. Please tell the receptionist if the matter is urgent.

BPhysio, APAM

Jamin Smalley

Jamin is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APAM) and is registered with the Australian Physiotherapy Board.

Jamin is a compassionate, friendly, caring person who is dedicated to achieving the highest standard of care, to ensure the best possible outcome for his patients. He employs a predominantly hands on treatment approach which involved soft tissue massage, mobilisation, manipulation, ultrasound, postural advice and exercises to encourage and maintain full rehabilitation.

Jamin has extensive experience in both New Zealand and Australia, working within multiple private practice settings, sports teams, gyms, community health settings, a medical centre and a day activity service for people with disabilities. His experience enables him to work with people of any age and assists him to effectively treat all musculoskeletal conditions. His treatment specialities include sports physiotherapy and providing pain relief for muscular, joint, arthritic and spinal conditions.

Michael Sezenias

Michael has been a podiatrist at Vermont Health Care since graduating from La Trobe University Melbourne in 2019 with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Podiatric Practice.

He has experience in all facets of podiatry and has a special interest in custom orthotic prescription, ingrown nail surgery and paediatrics. Other areas that he specialises in include gait analysis, diabetes assessment and general nail and skin care.

Michael regularly attends professional development events including Australian Podiatry Association national and state conferences, surgical practice seminars run by the Australian College of Podiatric Surgeons and wound management courses run by Gippsland Health. In addition, he strives to stay up to date with the latest podiatric research to deliver the best clinical outcomes for his patients.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys playing tennis and squash as well as running to maintain fitness, which enables him to work closely with patients to get them back on the court/track as soon as possible. Other personal hobbies include snowboarding, hiking, and music.

Pregnancy tests are available here at the clinic – please ask your doctor during your consultation. You will need to buy the test from us, which will usually cost $10.15.

Repeat prescriptions may be obtained without a consultation by patients who have seen the doctor within 6 months. Due to the time it takes a doctor to check and update your patient file and write the prescription, there will be a $15 fee for this service since only face-to-face consultations are currently covered by Medicare. However, if you call within three days of your last appointment, the doctor will write your script without a charge.

This practice operates a computer based recall system for sending reminders for follow up in some situations.

This does not cover all or even most situations where your doctor has advised review but is used to aid follow up for some common checks such as cervical screenings, and some pathology results and examination reviews.

Therefore, please note that although every effort is made to send reminders, it is your responsibility to return for follow-up, check-ups and all test results. If you do not wish to be a part of this system, please advise your doctor. However, please remember that these activities are designed to enhance the ability of your doctor to provide the highest quality of care to you.

Obtaining results

Patients are required to return for an appointment to discuss test results unless by prior arrangement with the doctor who ordered the test.

A common misbelief is that the results are normal and nothing further needs to be done if you are not called up. This is not the case. Even if the results are normal, your GP may want to discuss other options with you. We at Vermont Health Care strive to provide the best medical care possible, hence we appreciate your effort in making a follow up appointment to discuss your results.

In accordance with the privacy legislation we are unable to give results to anyone but the patient who had the test. In most cases this includes children of 15 years of age and over who are able to understand the nature of the test and the implications of a result. A patient may, however, provide written authorization for another person to receive results on their behalf. Over the telephone it may not be possible to know if the caller is the patient and in general it is advised that patients return for receipt and discussion of results.

Where necessary, doctors will provide referrals to a wide range of specialist and other services. Patients are advised to make an appointment to discuss the issue with their GP, who can then make an assessment of the most appropriate referral. While the doctors may occasionally provide a referral without a consultation, this will generally be only to a specialist the patient has seen previously and where the problem has already been assessed here at the clinic.
Please note that there is also a $20 fee for referrals that are written without a consultation.
Expecting mothers are encouraged to make a shared care appointment to arrange an obstetrician. Doctors currently doing shared care are Dr Wayne Piez, Dr Kelly Tulloch and Dr Linda Kelly. Shared care appointments will need to be for 30 minutes, so please let the receptionist know when booking in.

Dr John Chae and Dr Jerry Hsu both have a special interest in Skin Cancer Medicine and surgery and had undertaken a significant amount of postgraduate training. They are both Accredited Skin Cancer Doctors with the Skin Cancer College of Australia.

They regularly performs many skin procedures including biopsies, skin cancer excisions and cyst removals.

Skin Checks

Total Body Photography

Skin Check Fees

Lung function tests are performed by one of our practice nurses. You will need to make a 30 minute spirometry appointment, and the receptionist will give you an instruction sheet. This can be posted out to you if you make the appointment over the phone.
Spirometry appointments will be bulk billed if you have a healthcare or pension card. If you do not have one of these cards then the first visit will be $30 to cover the cost of the mouthpiece. Provided you bring the mouthpiece back for subsequent visits you will then be bulk billed. Veterans will always be bulk billed for this service.
Sports medicine services are available with all doctors in the clinic. Please let the receptionist know when calling if your problem is urgent. In some cases, we may need to refer you for medical imaging or specialist physiotherapy services. Your doctor will be happy to discuss any issues with you during the consultation.
Our nurses provide vaccinations for children with the childhood immunisation program. Please call the clinic to make an appointment with the nurse.
For travel vaccinations you will need an appointment with your doctor to discuss the locations you plan to visit and which vaccinations you will need. Please let the receptionist know when you book in as you may need a longer appointment.
An out-of-pocket fee may be charged on wound care. Please discuss this with your doctor at the time of consultation.