After Hours

Hope Island General Practice provides after-hours care through the National Home Doctor Service. The National Home Doctor Service 13SICK (13 74 25) is available weeknights, weekends and Public Holidays when our regular Doctors are unavailable. They are a bulk-billing home visit service and provide an electronic Patient Report to your regular GP so that they remain informed of your care. They also carry a wide range of medications with them, so that you can often start treatment right away.

Aggressive Behaviour

Verbal and/or physical abuse of our staff will not be tolerated. Any person displaying inappropriate behaviour will be asked to leave the Practice. That person may also be banned from the Practice entirely, at the discretion of the Practice Director or Doctor.

Appointments, How Long Do You Need?

We have listed some simple guidelines below to assist you in booking an appointment appropriate to your needs. If you’re not sure how long you might require you can discuss your needs with our friendly reception staff. Please note that longer appointments are still bulk billed to current Medicare Card holders.

Standard appointments are 10 – 15 minute consultations.

These are great for:

• Blood Pressure Checks
• Coughs and Colds
• Follow-up Appointments
• Medical Certificates
• Minor Illness Referrals
• Repeat Prescriptions
• Results

A longer appointment, 20 – 30 mins, is recommended for the following:

• Centrelink/Insurance Documents
• Complex Issues
• Counselling
• More than one Family Member to be Seen
• Multiple Issues
• Pap Smears
• Postnatal Checks
• Surgical Procedures

Some appointments will require an additional booking with a Nurse and are best booked directly with our Reception staff.

These include:

• Childhood Health Checks
• Childhood Vaccinations
• Contraceptive Procedures
• Dressings
• Ear Syringing
• ECGs
• GPMPs
• Immunisations and Injections
• Spirometry Tests

Billing Policy

Our GPs Bulk Bill to all patients who hold a current Medicare Card. If you do not qualify for a current Medicare Card you will be Privately Billed.

The Skin Cancer Clinic Privately Bills Patients with the exception of HCC or Pension Card Holders who will be Bulk Billed. A theatre fee may apply. Please discuss fees with reception.

Private Billing Fees are detailed in our Patient Information Booklet available from reception.

Allied Health Professionals and Skin Cancer Clinic Privately Bill. Please contact reception to discuss fees.

Cancellations

Bulk Billed Appointments:

If you are unable to attend your GP appointment we greatly appreciate you contacting us so that we may allocate your appointment to another Patient in need. Thank you.

Skin Cancer Clinic and Allied Health Professional Appointments:

Patients are required to notify the Practice at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time if unable to attend your consultation. Failure to give 24 hours notice will result in a cancellation/no show fee, with the amount being determined by the Skin
Doctor or Allied Health Professional.

Checking In

Remember to check in with Reception staff on arrival to avoid unnecessary delays in the waiting room. If Reception is busy you may check-in using our Self Check-in Screens located at our entrance. Simply follow all the on-screen prompts all the way to the “finish” button!

(Note: self check-in may refer you back to Reception in some instances where details require verification.)

Childhood Immunisations

Our Practice provides all Childhood Immunisations and Catch-Up Programs to ensure that your child is up to date with the appropriate immunisations.