This morning I went for a short walk. I took a few pictures in front of our house as well as of the park at the back of our house. It was sunny, but a bit windy. Actually, it was much too windy for my liking. The wind felt very cold, really as cold as in winter. I thought we had spring right now here in Australia? Anyhow, I liked the sun and I liked to be able to take a few pictures.
All in all I had quite a good day so far. I was lucky in that Peter found in our medical file map an appointment card for when I had seen the Care Plan Nurse of the Dapto Medical Centre in April this year. This card helped me to make another appointment. I rang the Medical Centre, and they arranged for me to see sister this morning at 11 o’clock. Peter drove me there at the right time. The Centre was packed full with waiting patients. Many looked liked they were in urgent need of medical care. Gee, was I glad that I had an appointment for a set time. Sister called me in soon after I arrived. I had a great visit with her. She took my blood pressure and made me go on the scales. She asked me whether I needed any help with household chores. I told her that we were all right because my husband did chores together with me. She asked me what I had planned for today. I told her I was planning on going to my gentle movements exercise class like every Thursday from 12,30 to 1,30 pm. She wanted to know, how much this cost me. I said it is only three dollars per session. The pensioner’s ass. subsidises it. She filled out a form for me so I would be able to get further treatment by a podiatrist. The only drawback is, that my doctor has to sign this form. The doctor was not in today. Sister wrote down the times when he would be in. She explained that I did not have to make an appointment with him. All I had to do was place the form under his door, and then he would sign it for me.
At the top of the form it says: Referral Form for Individual Allied Health Services under Medicare for patients with a chronic medical condition and complex care needs.
As I understand it, each patient can receive a maximum of 5 allied health services (total) in a calendar year.
A dozen Allied Health Providers (AHP) are mentioned. My health Provider is a Podiatrist.
Apart from Aboriginal Health Workers there are:
Audiologist, Chiropractor, Diabetes Educator, Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist, Mental Health Worker, Occupational Therapist, Osteopath, Physiotherapist, Podiatrist, Psychologist, Speech Pathologist.
However, Peter and I were able to do a bit more gardening to improve our backyard. Today we did not go out at all because all day we had very stormy weather. These wind gusts have been blowing nearly none-stop since yesterday.
AuntyUta 