Appointments
Consultations are made by appointment. Please call (02) 9948 3768 to arrange an appointment. Please check with reception if your appointment is at The Cottage Surgery or The Corner Clinic.
Please help doctors to run on time by informing staff if you require a long appointment. Long appointments are needed for more complex problems, more than one problem, insurance medicals, age related health checks or cervical screening tests. Please also make appointments for each family member who requires a consultation.
While the doctors aim to run on time, there may sometimes be longer waits if an urgent case needs to be fitted in or there was a patient with a complex problem before you. The doctors apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Please let the receptionist know when you arrive and show your pension or health care card if needing a discounted fee.
The doctors value your privacy and adhere to The Privacy Act
The Cottage welcomes feedback – please write to the practice manager. If you have a complaint, please write to the practice manager or refer to the Health Care Complaints Commission 1800 043 159
Fees
The doctors at The Cottage Surgery run private billing practices and can arrange Medicare rebates into your nominated bank account for your convenience. Each doctor’s fee is displayed in the waiting room. They ask that all accounts be paid on the day.
Fee Changes from 1 November 2023
The Cottage Surgery is primarily private billing, but bulk billing may be offered to pensioners in financial difficulty – speak with your doctor. A fee will be charged for treatment room appointments with the nurse. The new changes are being implemented because of the rising costs of business expenses. The fee that you pay also covers the costs of paying reception staff, nurses, rent, utilities, insurance, IT and cleaning. These changes are necessary to maintain the standard of services offered by the doctors. These fees apply to in person and telehealth consultations.
We understand these changes may be hard for some people experiencing financial hardship – please speak with your doctor so they can ensure that you have continuity of care.
Telehealth will be privately billed from October 2023 due to changes in Medicare requirements. The practice can arrange your medicare reimbursement. Let your GP know if this is not possible.
The doctors will continue to bulk bill the following groups for face to face appointments:
Veterans Gold Card Holders
Patients with intellectual disabilities living in group homes
Patients of Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Refugees
Clients of Biala Hostel
Children living in out of home care
Clients of the Women’s & Men’s refuges.
Bulk billing will be available for Health Assessments done annually and chronic disease management plan reviews with the nurse & doctor and which can be done 3 monthly.
Fees from 1st November 2023
Face to face or Telephone
Mon – Fri
Saturday
Medicare Rebate
Std Fee
Pensioner Std Fee
Pensioner
Short
$45.00
$35.00 $55.00
$45.00
$18.85
Standard
$95.00
$65.00 $105.00
$70.00 $41.20
Long
$140.00
$105.00 $145.00
$110.00 $79.70
Prolonged
$215.00
$140.00 $225.00
$150.00 $117.40
Over 60 mins $280.00
$215.00 $290.00 $225.00 $191.20
Health Assessments with nurse & GP – Bulk Billed
Care plans with nurse & GP – Bulk Billed
The Medicare rebate is the payment that the doctors receive when a patient is bulk billed. This payment is then used to pay business costs. The Medicare rebate has not kept up with inflation and business costs which makes bulk billing unsustainable.
Workers Compensation, Third Party Injuries and travel insurance reports are not refundable under Medicare.
Parking
By arrangement with St Kierans parish, parking is available after 3.30 pm in church/school grounds. There is parking on Condamine Street at the front of the surgery till 3pm. There is also parking on King Street , Lovett Street and Gordon Street. Limited parking is available at the rear of The Cottage Surgery for disabled (please call to see if available prior to arriving).
There are 4 car spaces accessible from the rear lane at The Corner Clinic. Press on the intercom (shop 2) on building wall for access.
Disabled Access
There is disabled and pram access from the rear of the surgery and limited disabled parking. A disabled toilet available.
Results
If you have been referred to have a test (eg. X ray or blood test) please make sure you contact your doctor for the results 2-3 days afterwards either by appointment or if directed to by the doctor by phone. This is the safest way to ensure that important abnormalities are detected and followed up
Referrals, Repeat Prescriptions and Medical Certificates
The doctors ask that you make an appointment with your doctor to have referrals, repeat prescriptions and medical certificates. Doctors are legally not allowed to issue backdated referrals, so please ensure you have an up to date referral before seeing your specialist.