General Appointment Information

New Patients

If you are a new patient please contact the practice for an appointment. We generally require a double appointment for new patients. You will be asked to arrive at the practice 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to complete the new patient paperwork.

Alternatively, you can obtain a copy of our new patient information form below.  This can be completed prior to your appointment and brought with you on the day.

Please still arrive 5 minutes early to allow reception time to enter all of your information into our system.

New Patient Form 

On Arrival

Please report to reception to confirm your arrival. Bring your Medicare, DVA card and / or concession card to each appointment. If your contact details have changed, please inform reception.

Waiting times

We make every effort to see patients on time. However, due to emergencies and unexpected extended consultations the GP’s may run late.

Reception will inform you if there is a delay. We appreciate your patience when this happens.

 

Telehealth Appointments

Telehealth allows you to consult with your doctor without the need to visit the practice.

If you are a parent or carer of the patient, please ensure that the patient can be present for the consultation.

Check what space you will use for your appointment to ensure privacy.  Consider who you are with or who could overhear the consultation.  The doctor may decide not to proceed with the consultation if they determine that privacy and confidentiality are being breached.

During the consultation: Your doctor will confirm their own identity as well as your identity and obtain your informed consent for the consultation to proceed.  They will ensure that your privacy and rights to confidentially are respected. The doctor will then assess your condition and provide you with the relevant referrals, scripts etc.  If a physical examination is necessary, you will be asked to make an in-person appointment.

After the consultation: Reception will contact you for payment and they will submit your claim to Medicare for  rebate.  You should make a follow-up appointment if necessary.  Follow the health plan discussed with your doctor.

Double Appointments

Double appointments are available, please ask our receptionists if you require some extra time. Psychological & workplace problems, 3 or more issues, an issue plus a PAP smear, skin check, if you are tired all the time are all examples of when double appointments should be booked. We may ask you to return for a second appointment if it seems time is running out.

Urgent Appointments

Let the receptionist know if you feel you need to be seen urgently – you will be put through to the nurse to discuss arrangements. You should be able to see a doctor on the day though your preferred doctor may not be available.

Home Visits

Home Visits are available to our regular patients who live between Edmonton & Forest Gardens (or at the discretion of the Doctor) whose condition prevents them from attending the surgery – please enquire through reception.

Fees & Payment

Payment is required at the time of your consultation. This is payable by cash, EFTPOS or credit card.

Certain consultations are not covered by Medicare, for example Workcover and some medicals. Please speak to reception for more information.

If you have your bank details registered with Medicare we are able to process your claim at the time of payment. Speak to reception for more information.

We Bulk Bill children  (aged 15 and under) and Veteran Affairs Gold Card Holders at all times.

We Bulk Bill Pension and Concession Card Holders Monday to Friday * with the exception of Dr John Gattera.
Pension Card Holders presenting on a Saturday incur a Discounted Fee.

Telehealth consultation fees are comparable to the fees above however you will only be able to claim a Medicare rebate if the patient has had a face-to-face consultation at the practice within the last 12 months.  A member of our reception team will contact you after your telehealth consultation to organise payment.

Other Fees There may be times where your care will attract charges that are additional to the consultation fee. Procedures such as IUD and Implanon insertion or removal, skin excisions, and iron infusions or additional tests are charged separately to the consultation fee.

Your doctor may refer you for clinical investigations such as blood or imaging tests, to a specialist, or to an allied health professional.  These services may incur out of pocket costs and we encourage you to contact the provider to discuss this.

Specialist costs: Your Doctor may refer you to a specialist for ongoing treatment. These specialists may include an out of pocket fee. Please ask reception for a contact number to get the exact costs from the specialist directly.

Aesthetics Cancellation Policy: :

We value your time and commitment to your wellness journey.

To provide the best care to all patients, we please ask that any changes to appointments to be made with advanced notice.

24-hour notice: Please notify us at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment to cancel or re-schedule.

Late cancellations & no-shows: Cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointment time, or missed appointment, will incur a $100 cancellation fee. This will be directly debited from your account with the ‘stored card’ used at the time of booking.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

 

* For information on Dr Gattera, Dr Dall’Alba and Dr Barnard’s fees, please speak to reception.