Appointments
Consultation with your preferred GP is available by appointment. A standard consultation takes about 15 minutes. If you feel more time may be necessary, such as for travel advice or a pap smear, please advise our receptionist at the time of booking. If your medical problem is urgent, or your condition is not improving as expected, please advise us so that we can review your situation as soon as possible.
Saturday Appointments
We provide a limited service on Saturdays for existing patients. Appointments can be made by calling on the day, priority is given to acutely unwell people particularly children.
After Hours Service
After hours medical service is provided by Home Doctor Service.
Telephone No: 13 7425
In cases of emergency call an ambulance Dial 000
Alternatively go to Northern Beaches Hospital casualty department.
Repeat Prescriptions and Referrals
We believe it is in the best interest of your health to see you personally for scripts and referrals. A short consultation will avoid communication errors and inappropriate health management.
Telephoning the doctor
A doctor or nurse will be available for telephone calls in emergency situations. For all other requests, including obtaining test results, you will need to make an appointment to see the doctor in a consultation. This is important for improved communication, medico legal reasons and appropriate health care.
Management of your health information
Your 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 this information is only available to authorised members of staff. Access to personal health information is available on request.
Payment of Fees
We request payment of fees at the time of consultation. You may pay by cash, eftpos or credit card. An additional $10 will be charged when accounts are not settled at that time. A cancellation fee may be charged if 24 hours notice is not given.
Fee Structure, subject to change without notice
| Standard Consultation (10-15mins) | $85 |
| Long Consultation (over 20 mins) | $140 |
| Prolonged Consultation (40 mins) | $180 |
| ‘No Shows’ and late cancellations | $20 |
| Repeat/lost scripts or referrals(without an appointment) | $25 |
Please note – longer consultations attract a higher Medicare rebate.
Bulk-Billing
This is available for children under 2 years of age, Repatriation card holders and pensioners at your doctors discretion – (Please note that this is not available on Weekends)
Some follow-up consultations may be bulk-billed at the discretion of the doctor.
Your Suggestions
We constantly strive to give you the best possible care and attention. Please tell us if you have any suggestions or ideas as to how we may improve any aspect of our service. You may like to leave a note in the ‘feedback box’ in the waiting room. We take your concerns, complaints and suggestions seriously. However, if you wish to take the matter further you can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission at: Locked Bag 18, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012.
Telehealth – Information for Patients
As part of the health system response to the COVID-19 outbreak, you may be offered a consultation with your GP or clinical nurse by phone or video – known as telehealth – instead of a usual face to face consultation.
This is an important step to protecting your health and that of your health care team while enabling you to continue to receive medical care and advice from the comfort and safety of your own home.
What is telehealth? Telehealth typically uses your mobile phone or video to connect you with your health care provider without you having to leave your current location.
- Am I eligible for a telehealth consultation? Telehealth was already being used to deliver medical services, for eligible patients, particularly in rural and remote areas to avoid unnecessary travel.
- As part of the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19, health professionals are being asked to use telehealth where clinically appropriate and necessary to support social distancing.
- New MBS items have been introduced to provide telehealth services to vulnerable people in the community or to those in self-isolation.
- It is important to note that telehealth may not be appropriate for the management of all medical conditions and a face-to-face consultation may still be needed.
- Your GP will discuss this with you and whether a face-to-face consultation needs to take place or can be postponed to a later date.
- If you have any questions about your suitability for a telehealth consultation and what it involves, please contact this Clinic
For more information on the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 including telehealth arrangements visit www.health.gov.au.
How does a telehealth appointment work? A telehealth appointment is like a normal appointment, only conducted by phone or video whilst you are home instead of you coming to the Clinic.
- You may need to ring the clinic or practice, or they will ring you to schedule the appointment.
- By accepting this appointment, you consent to having your consultation conducted via telehealth.
- If you are a continuing patient, this Clinic will already have your medical information about your history, medications and other relevant factors.
- Your Doctor will discuss any question you may have during the Telehealth appointment to assist with your management.
- It is your choice whether you agree to have other people present.
- You can choose to have family members or carers to be present during the appointment and use interpreter services.
- You may ask any of the people present to leave the call or room at any time if you wish to talk privately with your Doctor.
How do I prepare for my telehealth appointment? Your telehealth appointment can work best by taking these measures:
- Make sure you have your mobile phone turned ON!! At least 10 minutes prior to the appointment.
- Make sure you are ready at least 10 minutes early, particularly if there is any technology you need to start/set up.
- Try to find a quiet space to ensure confidentiality and avoid distractions.
- Think about the questions you want to ask in your consultation beforehand.
- Have a pen and paper to hand in case you want to take any notes.
- Speak clearly so your voice can be picked up by your microphone.
- For video consultations, look at the camera so you can achieve good eye contact with your Doctor.
Informed consent
- In accepting the appointment and the phone or video call you are consenting to the consultation being held by telehealth. However, it is important that you ask any questions you may have about any limitations of a telehealth consultation.
- If you have any concerns before or at any time during the consultation, please discuss these with your Doctor or nurse.
Will my telehealth appointments be confidential?
Yes, just like any regular medical appointment, consultations provided through telehealth will be private and confidential. Your Doctor or nurse will be relying on phone and videoconferencing systems that meet the relevant State and Territory and Commonwealth privacy legislation and security standards.
Can my telehealth appointment be recorded?
To minimise the risks of data breach, it is recommended that the appointments not be recorded by either patients or health practitioners.
Do I have the right technology to participate in a telehealth consult?
- Telehealth is private, secure and easy to use. You can use most laptops, smartphones and tablets. You will need:
o A reliable phone or internet connection.
o If you are using your laptop or desktop, make sure you have speakers, a microphone and a camera for video consultations.
o A private and quiet space where you can do the consultation.
What about any follow up?
- Your Doctor may email you relevant documents or make alternate arrangements for you to get these forms – for example prescriptions, blood testing and medical imaging forms, information handouts. Scripts and Request forms maybe sent directly to a pharmacy or path collection centre or Imaging Centre. This will be agreed upon prior between you and your Doctor
o You should print out these documents and keep them safe.
o Make a follow-up booking if needed.
- What are the payment and billing procedures around telehealth consultations?. If you are eligible under the Government’s new COVID-19 telehealth services, your Doctor may be able to bulk-bill these telehealth services, meaning your appointment will be fully covered by Medicare.
- What if I have questions? If you have any questions about whether a telehealth consultation may be suitable for you or what it might involve, please contact your Doctor.
Please note that the information on this document is for general guidance purposes only. All information has been sourced from both national and international advice and is subject to change rapidly as new information becomes available. This information does not replace information provided directly to you by your medical practitioner.
Acknowledgement: This factsheet was developed by using information from the Australian Government Department of Health and telehealth guidance documents from Alfred Health and Eastern Health.