Dr Thys Kachelhoffer

021 592 1282

Vasco Medical Centre Rules:

1. Please focus on one main health concern per visit

To give you the best care, we need enough time for each problem. For example, if you’re coming in for flu, gastro, or an injury, we won’t be able to also handle your 6-month chronic prescription review. That review is a separate check-up that includes important tests (like checking for signs of cancer or other chronic conditions). Please book a separate appointment for your chronic review.

2. If you need more time for multiple concerns

If you’d like us to address more than one issue and need a 30-minute extended consultation, there will be an additional fee of R600 (cash, not covered by medical aids). Please arrange this with our receptionists when you book.

3. Outstanding balances

If you have any unpaid fees with us, we kindly ask that you settle them before your next appointment.

4. Medical aid claims

We submit claims directly to your medical aid and can usually see before you leave whether it will be paid. If your medical aid doesn’t pay or pays only partially, we’ll need you to pay the remaining amount before you leave. If that’s not possible, we’ll hold onto your prescription and sick letter until the balance is cleared.

5. One appointment = one person

Please book a separate appointment for each family member. A single 15-minute slot is meant for one person only. If you bring someone else along expecting to be seen, it puts us behind schedule for everyone. We’re happy to see you or your family member at another time when we have an open slot.

6. Punctuality helps us care for everyone

If you arrive late for your appointment, we won’t be able to see you. With only 15 minutes per patient, arriving 10 minutes late leaves just 5 minutes to deal with your concerns, which isn’t fair to you or the next patient. Please reschedule if you’re running late.

7. In-person check-ups every 6 months for chronic medication

Your medical aid requires us to see you in person every 6 months for chronic prescriptions. This allows us to do blood tests and adjust your medication (for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid, etc.) as your weight and health needs change. The only exception is Schedule 5 medication like Ritalin, which needs a monthly repeat.

8. No telephone consultations

We don’t offer consultations by phone at this practice.

9. How to reach the doctor

Our doctor is fully booked every 15 minutes and cannot take phone calls from patients. You’re welcome to leave a message with our receptionists or send an email to drthysgoodwood@gmail.com. The doctor will respond as soon as possible, usually by email. If you ask for medical advice during the email it will be seen as a consultation and a fee will apply.

10. Getting your test results

We email all results to you (within 48 hours, unless the doctor is on leave). Please give us your personal email address (not work) and make sure we have your correct, updated email at every visit. If you don’t receive your results, call reception to confirm your email and we’ll resend them.

11. Lost documents

If you or your pharmacy loses a prescription, sick letter, or referral letter, we’re happy to redo it for a R150 fee.

12. Prescription expiry

A prescription is valid for 30 days from the date it’s issued. If you don’t take it to the pharmacy within that time, it will expire and you’ll need a new appointment for a fresh prescription.

13. Paperwork and forms

Registering chronic medication, writing motivation letters, or completing disability application forms is not part of a standard consultation. We charge an additional R500 cash fee for this. Medical aids sometimes cover this if the application is approved—but if it’s rejected, you’ll need to pay the fee yourself.

14. Follow-up on abnormal results

If your blood tests, X-rays, or scans come back with a positive finding (e.g., a thyroid condition or elevated cancer markers), and the doctor needs to refer you to a specialist or prescribe new treatment, there will be an additional fee for this extra work.

15. Emergencies

We are not equipped for emergencies. Our practice has only one doctor, while a resuscitation requires a team of about 6 people. If you think you’re having a heart attack or stroke, please go directly to the nearest Emergency Department (Netcare N1 City Hospital, Mediclinic Panorama, or Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt). We have a 4-hour window to reverse a heart attack or stroke—booking an afternoon appointment after chest pain started the night before puts you at serious risk. We also don’t treat severe injuries with heavy bleeding that need hospital care. Our receptionists are trained to triage these situations and will advise you to go to the hospital.

16. Blood draws at the practice

If you can’t visit a pathologist, we can draw your blood here for a small fee of R50 (covers the needle, syringe, wipes, cotton). Most medical aids will cover this cost.

17. Privacy for family members

We cannot share your family member’s results or medical information without their permission. If your mother is unwell and you’d like to know what’s happening, please come with her to an appointment so she can give her consent for you to receive information and sit in during the consultation.

18. Kindness towards our team

We treat everyone with respect and ask the same in return. Rudeness, swearing, or shouting at any staff member will not be tolerated, and we may refuse to see you as a patient.

19. Keeping you safe from infections

To prevent the spread of illness, we see patients with acute infections (like flu or gastro) in Doctor’s Room 2, and all other patients in Doctor’s Room 1. Both rooms are thoroughly sanitised after each visit.

20. You’re always welcome here

We’d love to have you as a patient if these guidelines work for you. If you feel your needs are different, we completely understand—there are many other wonderful GPs in Cape Town who may be a better fit. Either way, we wish you good health.