Appointments

Our consultations are by appointment only.

Bookings can be made during business hours or via our website.

Appointments are booked in 15-minute intervals and longer appointments may be requested.

If more than one person will be seeing the doctor, please indicate this to reception upon making a booking.

If you require a prescription or a referral, we request that you make an appointment to see the doctor.

This will ensure that all aspects of your health are taken into consideration.

 

Home Visits

Home visits are available for patients whose condition prevents them from attending the Practice.

Please discuss further with the Doctor.

Home visits are at the Doctors discretion, and the patient must be living in a suitable radius from the practice.

In an emergency we advise you to call 000 or John Hunter Hospital.

 

Communication with the practice

Our doctors provide phone consultations on a limited basis, please check with reception staff for eligibility.

If you need to speak to your doctor, please call us to make an appointment.

Please note we do not have email facilities at this practice; however you will find information on the practice at our website.

Please advise reception when you are making an appointment if you require an interpreter and/or other communication services such as AUSLAN for hearing impaired or an interpreter through TIS National – 1300 575 847.

 

Fees and billing arrangements

We are a mixed billing practice.

• Bulk-billing is available for eligible Pension card holders, patients over the age of 70 and for children under the age of 5.

• For Non-Pension card holders fees are payable at the time of consultation.

Please refer to our website for consultation fees.

For non-MBS items and services please ask reception when booking an appointment.

 

Complaints and Feedback

Please feel free to talk to your doctor, the practice manager or reception staff if you have any suggestions or are unhappy with our service.

We will let you know of any improvements to our service as a result of your feedback.

Alternatively, you may prefer to contact the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, Locked Mailbag 18, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012. Phone: 1800 043 159

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Test results

If you have been sent for a test, please make sure to contact us for the result in 2 to 3 days.

Results may be obtained via a phone consultation or an in-person appointment.

 

Reminder system

We may also send you a reminder note from time to time offering you preventative health services appropriate to your care.

 

Management of patient health information

All patient information is considered private and confidential. It is the policy of this surgery to always maintain security of personal health information and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff.

All members of staff at this practice have signed a confidentiality agreement.

To give you the best possible care, your information may also be given to specialists, radiology, pathology, and allied health service providers to which you are referred.

The patient registration form asks for your signed consent for the above.

If you wish to transfer your health records from a practice you previously attended, reception can provide you with a form that authorises the transfer of your records to Newcastle Medical Family Doctors.

Please be aware that some practices charge an administration fee for the transfer of patient records.

Patients are encouraged to participate in decisions about their healthcare.

Your doctor or nurse will be able to provide take-home information on a range of healthcare concerns and treatments.