Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine now available. Please call 9484 4788 to make an appointment.
What is a standard appointment time and when should I book a long consultation?
A standard appointment is 15 minutes to address a single query. If you have more than one query or the matter is complicated, or you are a new patient with a medical history unknown to us, you should book a longer 30-minute appointment. Patients who attend with long lists of queries, should expect to have these resolved over several appointments, so we don’t keep other patients waiting.
Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?
Most consultations are by appointment to avoid keeping patients waiting. Should you attend without an appointment, we do our best to meet your needs, without delaying other pre-booked patients.
Can I email non-urgent questions to my GP?
Our GP’s do not accept emails requesting clinical advice, because they cannot ask relevant diagnostic questions, to safely respond.
Our policy is for our receptionist to book a face-to-face consultation. Administrative questions may be emailed to the reception team from the ‘Contact Us‘ page on this website. and are generally addressed within 48-72 hours. There is no fee for this service.
For any urgent clinical or administrative query, we recommend you telephone our reception team to resolve the matter.
How are blood and imaging test results managed?
Your Doctor will give you instructions on how to obtain results for Pathology or imaging tests.
Blood test and imaging results are always sent directly to your doctor for initial review.
When your doctor is on leave, another doctor in the practice is appointed to review your doctor’s test results (as well as their own). Every single result is reviewed, and we do not routinely contact you about normal results.
In general, results are discussed in a consultation for appropriate discussions and therefore it is advisable to book an appointment.
Telephone Calls:
If you need to contact the Doctor by phone, the receptionist will facilitate this for you by taking a message. Note: we encourage patients to book for a consultation to see their Doctor as it allows for a more comprehensive review and assessment.
Can I get a ‘repeat’ referral without seeing a doctor?
Your GP may refer you to a specialist only for a specific purpose or investigation. You will usually require an appointment with your GP to:
- Discuss whether a referral is needed (as we are often able to resolve the query for you)
- Determine the most relevant specialist for your condition
- Legally oblige a specialist to correspond back to your GP, thus providing continuity of care
A ‘new’ referral requires an appointment booked with your doctor, BEFORE seeing a specialist. Medicare specifically forbids backdated referrals.
(Note, that any person may see a specialist WITHOUT a referral, paying the full cost of the consultation (as Medicare will not provide a rebate of costs), and that specialist is not obliged to correspond with your GP after the review) In circumstances where you require a ‘repeat’ referral to your specialist, AND this has already been discussed with your GP in the last 3 months, you may request a repeat referral. The cost of this service is $20 if collected from the surgery or $25 if faxed or posted.
Can I request a ‘repeat’ prescription online without seeing a doctor?
For registered patients only “who have seen their doctor in the last 3 months, a routine script maybe requested.
This request will be reviewed by your treating clinician and may result in the following:
- A request for a Tele-health appointment
- A request for a face- to-face consultation
- Review your request and issue you with a Prescription – without a request for a Tele-health or a Face-to-face consultation. This will incur an administration fee of $25 (that is not Medicare relatable) that will need to be paid att the time of collection.
This process may take upto 72 hours from the time of your request.
If however you request is more urgent, then please ring 94844788 and book in for a face-to-face consultation.
Note: As a matter of strict Practice Policy, No scripts for sleeping tablets, Benzodaizepines, Opoids, or any S8 medications (which can lead to dependence or tolerance will be provided for without a face-to-face consultation
Why do I receive recall and preventative health reminders?
Our Practice is committed to preventative health care. From time to time you will receive reminder and recall notices for care services appropriate to your care. If you do not wish to be a part of this system, please let your Doctor.
We record when you have been contacted so that in situations where the follow up is critical, your doctor can be made aware should you decide not to go ahead. We also participate in State reminder systems e.g. PAP, Breast and Bowel Screening programmes.
How do I transfer my records from another medical practice?
We have a Transfer of Medical Records Request form available either from your doctor or at reception. Either you or we can forward this completed form, signed by you, to your previous doctor.
Your previous practice may charge a fee to cover the administrative cost, prior to sending your medical record in a confidential encrypted format to us. We then upload the electronic data file into our medical practice software and integrate it into the ongoing medical notes we record.
House Visits
We prefer to examine patients at the surgery where full diagnostic and treatment facilities are accessible. Home and Nursing Home visits are available for regular patients of this practice within a reasonable distance of five kilometres whose condition prevents them from attending the surgery by special arrangement with the Doctor.