On-site pathology collection
DC Medical Centre offers convenient on-site collection of blood and other pathology specimens. For routine collections, no appointment with our practice is required once you have an appropriate pathology request form. Simply attend during the available collection hours.
Samples are collected at our practice and transported to Laverty Pathology for accredited laboratory analysis and reporting. We do not send patients to an off-site collection centre for routine samples collected here, although certain specialised tests may need different collection arrangements.
Bring: Your pathology request form and Medicare card (if eligible).
Booking: Not required for routine collections.
Special tests: Call reception first to check preparation, collection times or availability.
On-site pathology collection at DC Medical Centre
Laverty Pathology, part of the Healius Pathology network, performs the laboratory testing and processes pathology accounts. The DC Medical Centre team assists with sample collection at the practice.
A GP or other authorised healthcare professional issues a pathology request for the tests clinically required.
Bring your request and follow any preparation instructions. Our on-site collection service takes your required specimens where the test is supported at this location.
Laverty analyses the samples. Results are sent to the requesting practitioner for review and appropriate follow-up.
A wide range of commonly requested pathology investigations may be collected here. The examples below are not an exhaustive laboratory test catalogue; some tests require specialised kits, timed collections, preparation or an alternative collection site.
Collection methods and requirements vary. Not every test can be collected or processed through our routine collection service.
Some tests require fasting, particularly fasting blood glucose, certain cholesterol and triglyceride tests, and selected other metabolic or hormone investigations when specified on your request.
Fasting usually means no food and no drinks other than plain water for approximately 8–12 hours before your collection, unless your clinician or Laverty gives different instructions.
Do not fast unnecessarily. People with diabetes, pregnant patients, children, and people taking medicines affected by fasting should seek individual advice first. Do not stop regular medicines unless instructed.
Where possible, eligible Medicare-rebatable pathology tests collected through our practice will be bulk billed by Laverty. Bulk billing is subject to Medicare rules, test eligibility and Laverty's billing policy; it cannot be guaranteed for every test or every patient.
Charges may apply for tests outside the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), tests that do not meet MBS criteria, or patients without Medicare eligibility. Even some Medicare-rebatable services may be privately billed under Laverty's policy.
If you do not have Medicare, please provide your private health insurance details to reception so they can be recorded on your pathology request. This may help Laverty assess any available billing arrangements; it does not guarantee that your insurer will cover the pathology charges.
If you receive a pathology invoice despite supplying private health insurance details, please contact your health insurer directly to discuss your cover, how to claim and how the account should be paid. You can also contact Laverty/Healius about the invoice itself. Please ask about likely costs before collection where possible.
If you receive an invoice from Laverty Pathology or Healius Pathology, please contact the pathology provider directly about payment, rebates, billing disputes or corrections.
DC Medical Centre does not set Laverty's laboratory fees or administer its invoices and cannot resolve pathology-provider accounts on its behalf.
No appointment is needed for routine pathology collections at DC Medical Centre. Some specialised tests have specific collection times or preparation requirements, so call reception first if unsure.
You need a valid pathology request from a GP or another authorised healthcare professional. You do not need a separate appointment with a DC Medical Centre GP if you already have an acceptable request.
Please bring the request form so our collection team can confirm it can be processed through Laverty at this location. Some specialised tests may require a different collection site.
Specimens are collected at DC Medical Centre. Laverty Pathology transports and analyses samples in its laboratory network; laboratory testing is not performed by DC Medical Centre.
If your test requires fasting, the usual instruction is approximately 8–12 hours with plain water only. Follow your specific request and Laverty instructions; not every glucose or cholesterol test requires fasting.
Plain water is usually encouraged. Do not change or stop medication without medical advice, especially if you take diabetes medications or insulin.
Routine blood tests, urine tests, selected swabs and stool specimen collection are among the services supported. Availability depends on the test, equipment and collection requirements; call reception for unusual tests.
Eligible tests may be bulk billed where Medicare requirements and the pathology provider’s billing rules are met. Fees can apply where Medicare requirements are not met or the pathology provider privately bills the service. If you do not have Medicare, provide your private health insurance details to reception for inclusion on your request.
Please provide your private health insurance details to reception so they can be included on the pathology request. Coverage varies by policy and type of test. If you receive an invoice, contact your insurer to discuss whether the service is covered, how to claim and how to pay the account. Contact Laverty or Healius for invoice-specific queries.
The pathology provider may issue an account if Medicare does not cover the test, eligibility criteria are not met or the test is privately billed. Contact Laverty or Healius directly using the information on your invoice.
Results are generally sent to the requesting practitioner, who reviews them and arranges any necessary follow-up. Ask your requesting practitioner how and when to obtain your results.
The requesting practitioner should review your results and arrange any necessary follow-up. If you have concerning symptoms or have not received an expected result, contact your practitioner. Significant abnormalities may require prompt medical assessment.
Many tests can be performed, but fasting and preparation instructions may differ. Seek individual advice before fasting or changing medication.
No booking is necessary for routine samples. For unusual collection requirements, opening times or preparation questions, please contact DC Medical Centre reception before visiting.
