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Appointments
Please phone the practice on (07) 3268 2318 to arrange an appointment with your preferred doctor. A standard consultation is 15 minutes which allows the GP to conduct a thorough assessment and write adequate notes.
It is suggested that patients call ahead to make appointments. If you feel your appointment may take extra time (such as complex conditions, multiple problems, depression and stress etc), please advise the Receptionist so a longer consultation time can be allocated. Knowing that you need to spend more time with your doctor helps us reduce overall patient waiting times, which is considerate of others.
Our practice does reserve some same day appointments for medical problems that need to be dealt with promptly. We understand that children, in particular, can become unwell very quickly, and we do our best to accommodate patients with unexpected illness into our daily schedule.
If you feel your condition is urgent and cannot wait for the next available appointment, please discuss this with the Receptionist.
Cancellations
If you are unable to attend a booked appointment at the allotted time, we ask that you telephone and advise us of this in plenty of time, so your appointment time can be allocated to someone else.
Please be advised that repeated non-attendance without cancelling appointments will incur a fee, which is non-refundable by Medicare.
Fees
We are a privately billing practice and payment is required at the time of consultation. Where an account is issued an administration fee of $10 shall apply. Healthcare and Pension cardholders and full-time students (< 16 years) may be charged a discount rate. Children under 5 yrs of age are bulk billed.
Please be aware that other procedures will also attract a fee but you will receive a rebate from Medicare in most instances. Medical examinations for employment or driving licences and legal reports attract a private fee for which there is no Medicare rebate.
All accounts must be paid at the time of consultation. If you are having difficulties paying your fees, please talk to your Doctor or the receptionist. This practice accepts payment of accounts by Cash, Cheque, EFTPOS or Credit Card.
Home Visits & After Hours
Home Visits may be available to our regular patients who live in the local area and subject to doctor availability. They are for patients who are unable, through severe illness / immobility, to attend an appointment at the Practice. Should you desire a Home Visit, please advise the Receptionist who will discuss the situation with your Doctor and make appropriate arrangements. Please note that the visit may not be able to be accommodated on the same day requested. (Home Visits are not Bulk-Billed and incur a private consultation fee).
We subscribe to Family Care Medical Services who will visit you at home after hours. They can be contacted on 3831 9999 to arrange an after-hours home visit. Note that fees may be charged for this service, but Members of their Friendly Care Society, children under 16 years of age, and Pension & Health Care Card holders can have their after-hours visit Bulk-Billed. Please ask at our Reception for a brochure, or go to their website at www.familycare.com.au/brisbane.aspx to find out more.. The next morning they will then notify us of the nature of your problem to update your files to help us with your continued care.
For emergencies we recommend you go directly to the Emergency Department of your nearest hospital or dial 000 for an ambulance.
Interpreter
Interpreter services are available at this practice. Please let the receptionist know when you book your appointment.
On Arrival
When you arrive for a scheduled appointment, please report to Reception and advise of any change of address or phone numbers. If you think you are infectious, or are too ill or distressed to sit in the waiting room, please also advise the Receptionist on arrival.
We ask that you arrive on time for your appointment - if you are more than 10 minutes late, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment, as we strive not to have our Doctors running too late.
New patients must arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment time, as patient information is gathered and entered into our computer system.
Pathology and X-Ray Results
We will usually require that you make a follow up appointment for the results of any pathology and x-rays. Where your doctor has asked you to phone for results, please ask to speak to the nurse in the first instance. Receptionists are not permitted to give out results over the telephone.
Patient Confidentiality
Your electronic medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that the information is only available to authorised members of staff. We abide by the National Privacy Principles available at www.privacy.gov.au/health/index.html
Patient Reminder System
Our fully computerised system has a sophisticated recall system whereby we can notify our patients when certain procedures or health checks are due. We use this for Pap Smear notifications, immunisations, blood tests, mammograms and other health checks. If you do not wish to be included in this system please advise the receptionist or doctor.
Repeat Prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions are only issued for existing conditions at the doctor’s discretion. A fee is charged for all scripts issued without a consultation appointment.
Referrals and Medical Certificates
An appointment with your normal general practitioner is usually required to receive a referral to a specialist. For referral extensions, a fee is charged where a referral is written without a consultation appointment. Medical Certificates always require a consultation.
X-Rays & Scans
We are only required to keep your X-rays, scans or films on the premises for a period of three months and then will have to dispose of them. Please take your diagnostic images with you. |
