Indigenous Health

We acknowledge the traditional landowners of Australia and we welcome all Aboriginal and Torres Islander people to our services.

About indigenous health

Many indigenous Australians experience poorer health than other Australians to have mental health problems and chronic diseases such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, trachoma and rheumatic heart disease.

Closing the Gap (CTG)

Improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a national priority. Closing the gap gives better access to Medicare and Medicine, extra free immunisations, co-ordinated care for aboriginal and Torres strait islander people with chronic conditions and helps to reduce the high rate of smoking.

Our doctors provide primary health care for a child and maternal health, arrange and manage support for people with chronic diseases, offer CTG for an eligible individual, regular health check and immunisations.

Telehealth Services

We offer telephone consultations to all of our existing patients. The process of booking a telephone consultation is simple and operates in the same manner as making a standard face to face appointment.

When making an appointment online simply select the appointment type ‘phone consultation’ rather than the reason for the appointment.

Alternatively, you can call reception on 07 5676 7626 for bookings.

Please note, your GP will do their best to contact you at the scheduled time however unexpected delays may occur.

Both referrals and imaging requests can be faxed to your email or healthcare provider post-appointment.

However, scripts issued during a telephone consult will need to be picked up at reception.

Please be advised that we DO NOT PRRESCRIBE S8 medications

Workcover

If you were injured at your worksite or on the way to work or on your way home from your work then you may be eligible to Claim Workcover from your Employer.

Please check with your employer if they are covered by Workcover QLD or a Self-Insurer.

Please advise our Receptionist if your consultation is a work related one prior to seeing the Doctor.

Skin check

Our experienced skin cancer doctor will take 15-20 minutes for a full skin check depending on your skin type. To thoroughly screen, the doctor will need to examine all area that has been exposed to the sun and will ask to undress apart from your underwear. Ladies are asked not to wear makeup.

Diagnosis and treatment

Skin cancer is diagnosed by skin examination and biopsy. The treatment choice will depend on your age and general health, the type and size of cancer where it is in your body and what you want.

Our Doctors offer the most common way to treat skin cancer such as surgery, cryotherapy, use of topical chemotherapy, curettage and cautery as appropriate.

Fees

All skin cancer consultation and procedure are bulk billed

Non-skin cancer/Cosmetics procedures such as cyst, benign mole, etc excision may cost out of pocket. The actual amount will depend on the complexity of the work being done.

DVA gold cardholders will be bulk billed for all procedure.

Appointment Information

Family Doctors Nerang runs an appointment system. You can make an appointment by contacting the practice by phone or booking online. We also offer Walk-in appointments.

• 10 Minutes – Standard Appointment
• Up to 20 Minutes – Long Appointment
• 20 Minutes Plus – Prolong Appointment

Please inform reception staff when booking if you may require a Long Appointment. If you have any forms which need to be completed, please also advise reception as this may require a Private Fee.

Each appointment is for one person. If you have other family members who require medical attention, please make a separate booking for them, or book a double appointment.

Family Doctors Nerang aims to adhere to appointment schedules; however, the unpredictable nature of a medical practice means that doctors sometimes run behind time. This is mostly due to a patient requiring urgent medical attention. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to patients when we fall behind with our appointment schedule.

We would really appreciate it if you no longer need your appointment to please call and cancel so another patient can book the appointment.

After Hours doctor service is available by calling 134-100 Hello Home Doctor Service

Billing Information

New Patients

We happily take new patients and walk-in bookings. Please note that we have a new patient registration fee of $20.00. All patient consultations are bulk billed Monday to Friday.

Saturday consultations are privately billed and patients will receive the appropriate Medicare rebate.

Is the Clinic bulk-billed?

We bulk bill all patient consultations including skin checks. We are mixed billing for medical procedures, cosmetic procedures, consumables, iron infusions and Saturday consultations.

We offer bulk billing for patients with a valid Medicare card. Patients without a Medicare card will be charged according to our private fee structure, while international students presenting a student ID card will be charged the applicable international student fee.

We offer bulk billing for patients with a valid Medicare card. Patients without a Medicare card will be charged according to our private fee structure, while international students presenting a student ID card will be charged the applicable international student fee.

It is important to note that billing decisions are ultimately at the discretion of the doctor.

Payment is expected at the time of consultation and can be made by cash, EFTPOS, MasterCard/Visa.

Test Results, Repeat Prescriptions, Referrals

In order to monitor your health and fulfil our ethical and legal responsibilities, we require that you attend your doctor in order to receive all results, scripts or referrals. Our receptionists are unable to provide you with your results over the phone.

If your doctor is unavailable, another doctor in the practice would be happy to see you to help with your request.

Recall & Reminder System

Committed to preventative care, your doctor will seek your permission to be included on our reminder system.

Routinely, we may issue you with a reminder notice offering you preventative health care services appropriate to your condition: e.g. diabetic register, pap screening, asthma register, and aged care assessment programmes.

If you do not want to be part of this scheme, please let your doctor or reception staff know.

Communication Policy

It is our practice policy that doctors do not take phone calls from patients or return patient’s phone calls. If a patient needs to speak to a doctor, they must make an appointment to come in and see their preferred doctor.

Reception staff are happy to put forward requests; however, it is at the doctor’s discretion in how they choose to proceed.

Disability Facilities

This practice is designed for wheelchair access. We have a wheelchair available if required. Should you have special needs, please discuss them with your doctor.

Car Parking

For your convenience car parking is available in the Family Doctors Nerang car park.

Management of Personal Health Information

Your medical records are private and confidential and only available to authorised members of staff. All information at Family Doctors Nerang is managed in accordance with the National Privacy Principles of the Privacy Act available at www.privacy.gov.au/health.

My Health Records

My Health Record is a secure online summary of your health information. Assisted Registration is available at this practice, ask your doctor or receptionist at your next visit.

This practice can upload a health summary from your records to your My Health Record.

For further information visit www.myhealthrecord.gov.au

My Medicare

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration initiative by the Federal Government aimed at strengthening the relationship between patients, GP, and primary care teams.

Patient Registration has now commenced for all patients who have attended the practice at least twice in the last 2 years.

By registering for MyMedicare, patients can get access to:

• A formalised ongoing relationship with your general practice and preferred GP, which has been shown to improve health outcomes
• Longer MBS-funded telephone consultations with your usual GP
• Longer bulk billed telehealth consultations for children under 16 and Commonwealth concession card holders, at the new triple bulk billing rate

How to register as a MyMedicare patient:

Signing up for MyMedicare is easy and can be done through your Medicare online account, the Medicare app, or in person at your preferred clinic.

It’s important to note that if you choose not to register with our practice, you will continue to receive the comprehensive level of care you currently do.

Here are the main ways you can register:

1. Start the registration process in your Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app. Our team will then complete the registration in the MyMedicare system.
2. Alternatively, we can start the registration in MyMedicare, and this will trigger a registration in your Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app, which you can then complete.
3. You can also fill out a registration form at our practice. By signing the form, you are giving your consent to participate in MyMedicare with our practice. Practice staff will then complete the registration in the MyMedicare system.

More information here: How to Register for My Medicare

Suggestions or Complaints

If you have any concerns, complaints or suggestions about any aspect of our service we would appreciate hearing about them and will take them seriously.

Please use one of the following:

• Phone: 07 5676 7626
• Email: pm@familydoctorsnerang.com.au
• Use the suggestion box.

Matters which are unable to be resolved within the practice may be referred to:

Office of the Health Ombudsman
133646 (133OHO)
complaints@oho.qld.gov.au
PO BOX 13281, George Street, Brisbane 4003