What happens at your first appointment
Your first visit is a 40-minute initial appointment (follow-ups are 30 minutes). It's all about understanding you: your lungs, your symptoms, and what you want to be able to do. Your physiotherapist will:
- Talk through your history, including your diagnosis, medications, recent chest infections or hospital stays, and how your breathing affects daily life.
- Assess your breathing and chest, listening to your lungs, checking your breathing pattern and cough, and measuring your oxygen levels and heart rate.
- Check how you go with activity, which may include a short walk test so we can set safe, realistic exercise levels.
- Review your inhaler and device technique to make sure you're getting the full benefit from your medication.
- Agree on a plan with you and start treatment on the day. You'll leave with clear next steps, and usually something to practise at home.
If you were referred by your GP under a Chronic Condition Management Plan, we'll write to them after this visit to let them know how you went.
Save time: fill in your form before you arrive
New patient form (PDF, 2 pages)It’s a fillable PDF, so you can type into it on your computer or phone and print it, or print it first and write on it (a family member can help). Page 2 is only needed if your GP has referred you under a Chronic Condition Management Plan. No printer? No problem: arrive 10 minutes early and fill it in at reception.Download the form →
Do I need a referral?
Usually not. You only need one to use a Medicare rebate or if you're a DVA client.
| How you’re paying | Referral needed? |
|---|---|
| Paying privatelyJust book online or call us. | No |
| Private health insurance (extras)We claim on the spot with HICAPS. Bring your health fund card. | No |
| Medicare (GPCCMP)Your GP needs to put you on a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and refer you to us. Bring the referral to your first visit. Medicare covers up to 5 allied health visits per calendar year in total, so check you have visits left if you also see another provider. | Yes, from your GP |
| DVAA current DVA referral from your GP or specialist. | Yes |
| NDISBring your plan details, and your plan manager’s details if your plan is plan-managed. | No |
| Pulmonary rehab classesBook by phone or at reception. New patients have a short assessment first. | No |
| Home visitsCall us to arrange a time and check we cover your area. | No |
What to bring
Medical
- List of current medications
- Inhalers, spacers and any breathing devices you use
- Recent letters, spirometry, X-ray or CT reports
- Your oxygen, if you use it
Admin
- Your completed new patient form
- Medicare card
- Private health fund card
- GPCCMP referral or DVA details, if you have them
- NDIS plan details, including your plan manager's details if you have one
Getting here
We're at Suite 11/539 Greenhill Road, Hazelwood Park, SA, 5066, on the corner of Greenhill and Glynburn Roads. Our shopfront faces Glynburn Road, directly across from the Feathers Hotel, with step-free access from the footpath. There's an undercroft car park with a lift (1.8 m height limit), plus a second car park at ground level with accessible bays; both can be busy before 10:30am most mornings, so allow a few extra minutes for early appointments, especially if you get breathless. Full details are on our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
No. Anyone can book directly with us. You only need a GP referral if you want to claim a Medicare rebate through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP), or if you are a DVA client.
How long will my first appointment take?
Your initial appointment is 40 minutes, which gives us time for a full assessment and to start treatment on the day. Follow-up (standard) appointments are 30 minutes. Please arrive about 10 minutes early to complete your registration form.
What should I bring?
Your completed new patient form (you can download it from this page), a list of your current medications, any inhalers or breathing devices you use, recent letters or test results from your GP or specialist (for example spirometry, X-ray or CT reports), your Medicare card, health fund card, and your GPCCMP referral if you have one. If you use oxygen, bring it with you.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes you can move in and flat, closed shoes. We may ask you to walk or do gentle exercise as part of your assessment.
Can someone come with me?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a family member, carer or support person into your appointment.
How do I pay, and can I claim on the spot?
We accept cash, EFTPOS and credit card. Private health extras are claimed on the spot through HICAPS, and for Medicare GPCCMP visits we lodge the claim for you: you pay the reduced fee on the day and Medicare rebates $63.40 into your account, usually the next day, so you are only out of pocket the gap. See our fees page for current amounts.