FAQ | Dr Duncan Walker

General Questions

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Do I need a referral to see Dr Duncan Walker?

No referral is required for a general appointment with Dr Duncan Walker. Whilst he is a Specialist in Sports & Exercise Medicine, he also holds a dual qualification as a General Practitioner (FRACGP). This means, unlike most specialists, you can book an appointment directly without needing a referral—saving you the time and cost of extra consultations.

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Can I still book an appointment with Dr Duncan Walker if I’m not an athlete?

Absolutely. Patients of all ages (young children to people in their 90’s) are welcome to make an appointment to see Dr Walker. While a significant amount of his time is involved with elite athletes, from the AFL to gymnastics, he is also passionate about ensuring health optimisation / quality of life for any age group, regardless of whether or not they are involved in any activity at present. Keeping active at any age is vital for overall health and quality of life.

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I’m a first time client – do I need to fill out any forms prior to my appointment with Dr Duncan Walker?

Yes! To save time at your first appointment, please complete the ‘Patient Registration Form’ prior to your visit. A secure link to this form was sent to your nominated email upon booking—please check your spam/junk folders too, as sometimes they can filter through to there. If you need assistance accessing the form, feel free to email us at info@drdw.com.au, and our reception team will be happy to help.

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What clinics will Dr Walker be consulting from?

As team commitments vary through the year, consulting days / locations may vary over the course of the year. Please visit our Bookings page for the most up to date information on our consulting locations and clinical hours.

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Is parking available at all locations?

Free onsite parking is available at all current locations. However, our Goodwood clinic has limited parking available onsite, and therefore we suggest parking at the nearby Goodwood Library, which is only a short walk away. We ask all patients to allow adequate time for parking to help you arrive at your appointment on time.

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Can I book a last minute emergency appointment with Dr Duncan Walker?

We understand that injuries can sometimes occur unexpectedly, and we will always do our best to accommodate urgent appointments whenever possible. If you require an emergency appointment, please contact us by phone or email at info@drdw.com.au with your name and mobile number, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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How long will my appointment be?

Appointment lengths depend on the service. Standard consultations are 20 minutes, while extended appointments are 40 minutes. Most services fit within the standard timeframe, but if you’re unsure, our friendly reception team can advise whether a longer appointment is needed.

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Can I be seen for multiple injuries in the same visit?

It’s possible, but not guaranteed. Dr Walker allocates a set amount of time for each appointment, which is typically dedicated to assessing one injury. To respect both your time and the time of others, we cannot guarantee that there will be enough time to evaluate a second injury during the same visit, and therefore additional concerns are assessed at Dr Walker’s discretion. If you have multiple or complex issues, an extended consultation may be recommended. Our reception team can help you book the appropriate appointment length if you need.

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Why can’t I book a long consultation online?

Most cases can be addressed within a standard appointment, so only standard consultations are available for online booking. For services requiring extended time, such as Compartment Pressure Testing, Pre-Season Medical Assessments, or when addressing multiple injuries, please contact our team directly via phone or email, to book.

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What happens if my problem or pain returns?

Flare ups are not uncommon. If this occurs, give us a call—we may recommend a follow up appointment, a visit to your regular GP, or Dr Walker may suggest adjustments to your daily activities and exercise routine.

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What should I do if I’m running late for my appointment?

We understand that life can be hectic, and unexpected delays sometimes happen. If you’re running late for your appointment, please give us a call to check if we can still accommodate you, or if we need to reschedule your appointment for another time. Due to our busy schedule, even if you arrive late without prior notice, we may need to turn you away to avoid unfair delays for other patients who have appointments after you.

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What is the cancellation policy?

We understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances can arise. However, to ensure fair access to medical care for all patients, we kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Late cancellations and no-shows can affect our ability to provide the level of care required for other patients with acute injuries in a timely manner. To ensure fair access for others, any non-attendances or cancellations made within 24 hours of your appointment will be considered a late cancellation, and a fee may apply for the time reserved for you. That said, we recognise that emergencies, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances may make it difficult to provide advance notice. If this happens, please contact our friendly reception team as soon as possible at info@drdw.com.au or 0413 495 241. They will do their best to assist you and, where possible, reschedule your appointment.

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Can I request a repeat script or referral without a consultation appointment?

Where appropriate, existing patients may request a repeat script or referral without needing a face-to-face consultation. While Dr Walker will assess each request on a case-by-case basis and may decline if it is not medically suitable, we aim to accommodate where possible to save you time and the cost of an appointment. Please note that non-rebatable service fees and conditions apply. For more details on pricing and how to submit a request, visit our Fees page.

Fee / Insurance Questions

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Are Dr Walker’s services covered by Medicare or Private Health Insurance?

Like other physicians, Dr Walker operates through the Medicare system only. As a medical specialist, most services will generate a Medicare rebate, and our staff will process these claims on your behalf once the full upfront payment has been received, at the time of your appointment. Appointments with Dr Walker are not covered by private health insurance, which is consistent with all medical specialty consultations.

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Do you bulk bill and what are your fees?

As a private clinic, we do not offer bulk billing. All consultation and treatment fees are payable at the time of your appointment and can be completed via EFTPOS / Credit Card (including AMEX). Most services are eligible for a Medicare rebate, which our staff will process for you at the time of payment. However, please note there will typically be an out-of-pocket expense for all services. Our fees vary depending on the service. For more information on pricing, please visit our Fees page or contact us directly via phone or email.

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What payment methods are accepted?

We accept all major credit/debit cards, including AMEX.

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Can I use my DVA / Health Care Card for the appointment?

Unfortunately due to the largely unchanged fee rebates for DVA (and Medicare) over the past 20 years, we no longer accept bulk billing payments for DVA or health care cards. As inflation and costs have continued to increase, they have significantly outpaced the outdated DVA / Medicare rebates, and therefore we, like many other GP clinics and specialists, have made the decision to move to gap payments. We remain committed to helping all patients with their concerns, and of course you can still obtain a Medicare rebate for your consultation.

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What fees are charged for Pensioners & Concession card holders?

As a private clinic, we do not offer concession or pension pricing models.

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Can I be seen by Dr Duncan Walker under a Workcover / Motor Vehicle Accident Claim?

Absolutely. When you come to your appointment, please make sure you have the following information ready to provide to us regarding your claim: Claim Number, Insurance Company details, and the contact details of your case manager.

Tests / Results Questions

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Can I receive my scan/test results over the phone?

Preference is in-person reviews to discuss your results and help develop a management plan. However in certain circumstances, we can arrange to provide your results via email and coordinate the rehab plan directly with your physio. Please reach out to us via email at info@drdw.com if this is something you require, and our friendly Admin Team will help you where they can.

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I had some imaging done at another facility recently. Do you have access to this?

We are affiliated with the following radiology facilities / networks. If you had your imaging completed at one of these, we will be able to access your imaging during your appointment: – Jones Radiology – Benson’s Radiology – Fowler Simmons Radiology

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Is Dr Walker able to request bulk billing for my scans with external providers?

Each radiology clinic has their own billing policy, we do not have control over their pricing strategy. However, as a specialist we do have access to further Medicare allowances on imaging such as MRI requests, that GP’s or physiotherapists do not. We can therefore request MRI’s to be ‘bulk billed’ when appropriate. If necessary, we will try to work with you to reduce costs if an MRI is requested, however private clinics still have the right to deny this request, as they are a separate entity.

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Should I get X-rays or other imaging organised before I see Dr Walker?

No. This is not necessary as Dr Walker would prefer to assess you first, so that he can organise the most appropriate investigations for your specific injury.

Services Questions

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Does Dr Duncan Walker perform procedures in-clinic?

Yes. Dr Duncan Walker has a point of care ultrasound available at all clinics to assist with diagnosis during your consultation, and perform cortisone, autologous blood, or viscosupplementation injections if appropriate. For a full list of the services provided by Dr Walker, please visit our Services page.

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What are the responsibilities of an athlete regarding cortisone an other injections?

If you are an athlete subject to drug testing by ASADA / WADA, cortisone injections are only banned in competition and do not require a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

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How do I book in for a specific service / procedure with Dr Walker?

If you are looking at booking in for a specific procedure / service with Dr Walker, please reach out to our friendly reception team, and they will be happy to point you in the right direction.

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Where can I receive PRP treatment?

Our specialist PRP and Cell Matrix treatments are currently offered exclusively at our Goodwood clinic.

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What do I wear to my appointment?

Most services do not require a specific form of clothing – whatever is comfortable for you is more than adequate. However, if you’re scheduled for a specific service, such as Compartment Pressure Testing, be sure to wear activewear and appropriate footwear you can run in.

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What does a preseason health assessment involve?

A comprehensive health assessment includes a thorough review of medical history, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests. Concussion baseline testing (often involving computerised testing), blood tests, ECG/cardiac check and a review of injury history, is undertaken, alongside a medical and health evaluation. For further information on why our Pre-Season Health Assessments are important and what is involved, please feel free to check out our comprehensive handout on this here.

Frequently Asked Questions