Patient Information

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 bulk-billed 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 5222 7117 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.

Telephone

To maintain confidentiality, we avoid telephone interruptions to doctors. The nurse may be able to assist you. Should you wish to speak to your doctor, a message will be taken, and your call returned as soon as possible. Urgent enquiries will be put through to the doctor.

Patient Privacy

This practice protects your personal health information to ensure it is only available to authorised staff members for the intended purposes and to comply with the Privacy Act. To obtain a copy of our Privacy Statement or your medical records, please ask at reception.

Recall and Reminder System

As our practice is committed to preventive care, we may send you an occasional reminder regarding health services appropriate to your care.

If you wish to opt-out of this, please inform our reception staff.

Fees – Bulk Billing

As a bulk billing practice, we offer bulk billing to all patients with a valid Medicare card for all Medicare eligible procedures. This means no out of pocket costs for most general consultations.

Appointments

Harbour Town runs an appointment and walk in system.  You can make an appointment by contacting the practice by phone or booking online.

Please be aware that appointments are scheduled 10-15 minutes apart and emergencies are given priority.  Check with reception if we appear to be running late

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.

Harbour Town Doctors 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 require your appointment to please call and cancel so another patient can book the appointment.

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.

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 Harbour Town Centre 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 Harbour Town Doctors 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

MyMedicare

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model. It aims to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner and primary care teams. Find out who is eligible and how you can register. www.health.gov.au/our-work/mymedicare/patients

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 5655 5667
Email: admin@HTdoctors.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