Season's greetings

At the end of what has been a challenging and busy year, I'd like to thank my patients and referring GPs for their continued support.

Next year promises to be a year of growth and change, but more about that soon!

GAALS will be closed from 24 December, and we will reopen on 10 January 2022 following the Christmas and New Year period

If you need to make an appointment, the easiest way to book is by using our online booking form. You can browse and book the time that suits you best.

Wishing you and your families a safe and peaceful festive season.

Amy

It's easy to book your appointment online

Sometimes during busy times there can be a short wait to get through to us by phone. We answer calls as soon as possible, but to save you time, our online system is the most convenient way to book your appointment.

With our booking form, you can browse, select and book the time that suits you best.

“Booking online is easy and convenient”

To book:

1. Visit www.GAALS.com.au

2. Click “Book Now” to open our booking page

3. Select “Initial Consultation” if this is your first appointment at GAALS, or “Follow Up Consultation” if we’ve seen you before

4. Select your preferred date and time

5. Fill in your details, and click “Book”

6. We’ll contact you to confirm your appointment.

Taking a short break

We are taking a short break and our consulting rooms will be unattended until 8 November 2021.

Appointments

If you need to make an appointment, the easiest way to book is to use our online booking form – you can browse and book the time that suits you best.

If you need to change an existing appointment, please email us.

Other Enquiries

We will be checking messages regularly, so if you need to get in touch please email, or call and leave a voicemail. We will respond to any urgent enquiries as soon as possible, and follow up other messages when we return.

If you need urgent health care or advice, please contact your usual GP. In an emergency, present to your nearest hospital emergency department or call 000.

Thanks for your understanding while we take a short break to recharge our batteries. I look forward to welcoming you back to GAALS from 8 November 2021.

-Amy

Season's greetings from GAALS

“As the end of the year approaches I would like to wish all my patients and referring GPs a peaceful Christmas and new year”

— Dr Amy Arnold

Holiday closure

We are taking the opportunity to have a short break over the Christmas and new year period.

GAALS will be closed from midday 23 December 2020 and will reopen on 4 January 2021.

Online bookings

The best way to book an appointment is to use our online booking form — you can browse and book the appointment that suits you best. When you book, you can also let us know if you’d like to be placed on a waiting list for an earlier appointment.

COVID-19 — screening before appointments

Prior to all appointments in our consulting rooms, our staff will call patients to ask a few questions before their appointment is confirmed.

You should not visit our consulting rooms if:

• you are currently unwell (irrespective of the origin of the illness), or

• you have been issued a self-quarantine notice because:

  • you have been overseas

  • you are an exempt person and have arrived in Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot

  • you are an exempt person and have moved to Queensland from interstate

  • you have been in close contact with someone who already has COVID-19.

Please contact us to:

• check whether your appointment can proceed through telehealth, or

• reschedule your appointment.

COVID-19 — appointments

Recently we posted information about the measures we are taking to promote the health of our patients and practice staff.

“We are continuing to make appointments with some additional options, precautions and recommendations”

Telehealth

The government recently expanded telehealth (video conferencing and phone consultations) to all Australians, where treatment can be safely delivered by phone or video conferencing.

Generally, when an appointment does not require a physical examination, we are pleased to offer telehealth services to patients. Please contact us to check whether your appointment can be offered through telehealth.

Social distancing

In addition to the measures we have already implemented to promote social distancing, we ask that patients attend their appointment at our consulting rooms without any additional visitors. We do understand that some patients prefer to bring another person (for example, a partner or parent) to their appointment for support, and we are happy to accommodate individual patients’ needs.

We also ask that parents DO NOT bring any children under the age of 18 to our consulting rooms, unless the child is the patient.

Please contact us if you need to reschedule your appointment, or to ask whether your appointment can proceed through telehealth.

COVID-19 — changes to elective surgery

Recently the government made a decision to suspend all non-urgent elective surgery in public and private hospitals.

“Only elective surgery categorised as ‘Category 1’ and some ‘Category 2’ procedures will be allowed to continue”

• Category 1 procedures are for patients needing treatment within 30 days.

• Category 2 procedures are for patients needing treatment within 90 days; this includes treatment for conditions that cause pain, dysfunction or disability.

• Category 3 procedures are for patients needing treatment at some point in the next year. All Category 3 procedures will be temporarily suspended.

We will be in touch with patients who are currently booked for surgery to let them know whether their procedure can go ahead. There may be delays for patients who have not yet been booked for surgery.

Please contact us by email or phone 07 3067 7086 with any questions.

-Amy

COVID-19 — what we are doing

Recently we have implemented changes due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) to promote the health of our patients and practice staff. While we expect COVID-19 will have some impact on our services, we are continuing to book appointments and operations in line with current advice from the government and Greenslopes Private Hospital.

We regularly review the recommended advice and are monitoring the health of our practice staff and have plans in place should they become unwell.

Before appointments

Prior to all appointments in our consulting rooms, our staff will call patients to ask a few questions before their appointment is confirmed.

At appointments

We ask that every patient uses the hand sanitiser we provide when they arrive for their appointment. We are wiping down door handles and bench surfaces as a precaution after every patient. As an additional precaution, we have arranged our waiting room to allow sufficient 'social distancing' between chairs. 

Operating

Greenslopes Private Hospital advise that operating will continue with some additional measures to minimise risk to hospital patients, visitors and staff. This may include screening every person prior to entry, and limitations on the number of visitors that patients may have.

Prior to all operations, our staff AND Greenslopes Private Hospital will call patients to check their operation can go ahead as planned.

I appreciate your patience during this difficult time. I would like to assure you that the health and safety of our patients and practice staff is a very high priority.

Please call us on 07 3067 7086 or contact us by email if you have any questions.

- Amy

Happy holidays from GAALS

After another busy year at GAALS, thank you to my patients and referring GPs for your continued support.

“Season’s greetings and best wishes for the new year”

— from the team at GAALS

Holiday Closure

GAALS will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period from 5PM on 24 December 2019, and will re-open on 6 January 2020. During this time, our voicemail service will be available, patients can email, or use our our real time booking platform for appointments in January.

- Amy

New online real time booking platform

Recently we launched a new real time booking platform. This gives patients more choice when finding an appointment time that suits them.

Making a booking is easy:

1. New patients, click “Initial Consultation”, existing patients click “Follow Up Consultation”.

2. Select a date and time for your appointment.

3. Fill in your details.

4. Click “Book”.

We will email you to confirm your booking.

You can access the platform book your appointment at any time, but if you’d prefer, you can always call us during business hours.

- Amy