Medical Patient Information

Thank you for your enquiry about the Holistic Medical Centre and the services offered by our clinic. Many people seek our services for a variety of reasons and the underlying theme is a desire to regain control of health and wellbeing. To this end, the Holistic Medical Centre offers clients a balanced health-care approach incorporating high quality orthodox medicine combined with advanced medical clinical nutrition, enhanced by complimentary medicine practises such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic - a unique combination for our times. Services are provided by both our medical and non-medical personnel using a teamwork approach. Psychological counselling,self-healing techniques and Spiritual Healing are also available on request.
Overseas research clearly shows that this combined approach to health care has substantial benefit in the management and resolution of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue and bowel disorders. This approach is particularly beneficial in illness prevention programs such as weight reduction, pre and postnatal health, osteoporosis prevention, hormone replacement therapy, retardation of ageing and post-operative recovery.
As good medical case management is extremely important to us, we utilise pathology and radiological investigations, together with specialist medical referrals where appropriate. However we also use other non-medical diagnostic methods to gain a broader understanding of the underlying causes of the client's ill-health. These methods include Live Blood Cell Analysis, Computerised Nutritional Analysis (clinical nutrition is our forte) and Bio-energy Medicine Testing. These are used to define and refine the client's health program and to monitor their return to wellness.
We consider ourselves an essential part of the client's health management team and are happy to work in conjunction with the family GP and other medical specialists.
Payment of Fees :
Payment of consultation fees is to be made at the time of the appointment. Fees may be paid by cash, cheque or credit card.
Appointments:
New clients usually require 3 appointments each of approximately 180 minutes duration to allow for a full assessment and discussion of their health needs and subsequent health program. An individualised dietary program will be prepared by our nutritionist and this appointment will require 60-90 minutes. Appointments are usually spread over a period of 3 weeks to allow for completion of pathology, radiology and "in-house" tests.
Interim Appointments with Paramedical Staff:
Interim appointments provide an ongoing professional service to monitor and report on  your health status and make suitable changes to your body's needs. Specially trained staff, under the guidance of the doctor, carry these out.Interim appointments are important as they provide the doctor with ongoing information on your recovery progress and allow for appropriate fine tuning of your diet and nutrient supplements
Cancellations:
We request that cancellation of appointments be made at least 24 business hours before the due date. As we are usually booked well in advance, this will enable us to allocate your appointment to a waiting client. We appreciate your care and consideration in this matter.
Waiting Time:
We understand your time is valuable and endeavour to adhere to the appointment schedule. However, as we are committed to providing a comprehensive professional service to all clients, appointments often continue beyond the scheduled time. Also, emergencies do occur and are unpredictable. We ask for your understanding and compassion in these matters. We do recommend that you book adequate time and allow for delays with regards to other engagements after your clinic appointment.
Clients who attend this clinic often have complicated health problems which have not been adequately addressed by the more "mainstream" medical practice. Perhaps your problems fall into this category. Because of this, it is extremely difficult to arrange for clients appointments to run strictly to schedule. In other words, Dr. Sydney-Smith often runs late with appointments. He does not consider his time is more important than yours. Instead, it is his commitment to the good management of each patient that really matters. Human beings and their needs do not fit into neat appointment packages. We do attempt to schedule appointments to accommodate people's needs but are not always successful, as we do not have a crystal ball or a magic healing wand.
It may have taken you a long time to find us - so now you've found us value us as we value you. We are good at what we do and our priority is your good health.
We have found that it is best to take the time it takes to:
1. manage you well
2. ensure that you understand what it is you need to do
3. recover your health to its best possible level.
Medical Telephone Enquiries:
We provide this service between 1.00 - 1.30pm from Monday to Thursday. This service is for simple queries only and should take about 3-4 minutes only per call. More extended enquiries are considered to be telephone consultations and will be charged accordingly.
Telephone Consultations :
Telephone consultations are popular for monitoring the progress of those interstate and rural clients who are unable to travel to the clinic on a regular basis. 
They are charged as regular consultations but do not, however, attract a Medicare rebate. An appointment time is required and payment arrangements are by credit card only.
Medical Scripts:
These can be arranged during the telephone enquiry time. A prescription fee of $30.00 per script is charged and payable, in advance, by cheque or credit card. No Medicare rebate applies to this service. However, if you attend the clinic between 1.00 and 1.30pm, the script can be written then and a Medicare rebate is then applicable.
Nutritional Supplements:
Nutrient supplements are often prescribed and are selected for their therapeutic efficacy and value. Substitute brands are not advisable. Supplements may be purchased from the clinic by cheque or credit card. A "mail-order" service is available on request.
For further enquiries or appointments please contact our receptionists who will endeavour to satisfy your requirements.
We thank you for your interested enquiry and look forward to being of service to you in your quest for better health.
Should our philosophy not accord with yours then this service is not appropriate for you.
Melvyn A. Sydney-Smith & Caroline Meade