HINCHINBROOK HEALTH CARE PRACTICE POLICIES
Patient Guidelines
Essential information about appointments, fees, after-hours care, and practice procedures.
Read through our policies to understand what to expect when you visit any of our three Hinchinbrook locations.
New Patients Welcome
Complete our registration form to get started. We'll contact you to book your first appointment.
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 17:00
Sat 08:00 – 12:00
Need help understanding our policies or have questions about fees and billing? Contact our team for clear, friendly assistance.
Same-Day Appointments
Need to see a doctor today? We accommodate urgent appointments whenever possible. Call 07 4776 6800 and let reception know you need same-day care.
Extended Appointments
Longer consultation times are available for complex health issues. Just ask our receptionists when booking.
Interpreter Services
If you or a family member requires an interpreter service, we can organise this for you. Please let us know when you make the appointment.
Emergency Care
Life-Threatening Emergencies
If you require urgent medical attention, please dial 000 for assistance and ask for an ambulance.
During Clinic Hours
Inform reception immediately if you have urgent symptoms. Your call will always be put through to the doctor in an emergency.
After Hours or When Clinic is Closed
Ingham Hospital has an emergency department available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ingham Hospital
McIlwraith Street
Phone: 4720 3000
Bulk Billing
As a Medicare Bulk Billing practice, we bulk bill all eligible GP services, including:
- GP consultations
- Health assessments
- Mental health treatment plans
- Chronic condition management plans and reviews
When Fees May Apply
- Procedures like skin excisions
- Diagnostic services like ECG and pathology
- Allied health and other non-GP services
- Non-MBS services
- Patients without a Medicare number
Telephone Access
Doctors in the practice may be contacted during normal surgery hours. If the doctor is with a patient, a message will be taken and you will be advised by the reception staff when it is likely that the doctor will return your call.
Your call will always be put through to the doctor in an emergency.
Our practice aims to ensure all patient messages or other communications, including emails that require subsequent follow-up by a doctor or other staff member, are responded to in a timely manner.
Reminder Systems
Hinchinbrook Health Care uses a reminder system for various tests, procedures, and assessments. These are created by the doctor for the patient and are generated by the computer.
Reminder letters are mailed to the patient’s address. We also offer SMS reminders for appointments.
Home Visits
Home visits and Residential Aged Care Facilities visits are available for patients whose condition prevents them from attending the surgery. Please contact the reception staff should you wish to know further about this.
Repeat Prescriptions
Any request for repeat prescriptions will require 72 hours notice to complete should the doctor approve. There may be a charge associated with this.
Should a script be required earlier than 72 hours, it is requested that an appointment be made.
Travel Subsidy Scheme
If you need to travel outside of the Hinchinbrook District for medical treatment, you may be eligible for a travel subsidy under the Queensland Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
Contact reception for more information about eligibility and how to apply.
Test Results
Your Responsibility
It is the patient’s responsibility to follow-up all results.
How We Follow Up
Doctors will check results as they become available and mark those results requiring review. Either an administrative staff member or nurse will then contact the patient to organise a follow-up appointment.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Your Medical Record
Your medical record is a confidential document. It is a policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff.
Hinchinbrook Health Care complies with the Australian Privacy Principles.
Accessing Your Records
You can access the information in your health record through making a written request to our clinic.
Authorising Family Members or Carers
If you wish to have your results given to family members or carers, please ask for a Patient Authorisation Form which is to be signed and scanned into your records.
Patient Feedback
We Welcome Your Input
At Hinchinbrook Health Care we welcome comments, feedback, or advice. Please feel free to:
- Fill out a feedback form and place it in the box located on the magazine rack in the waiting room
- Speak with reception staff or the Practice Manager
We take your feedback and concerns seriously.
Unresolved Concerns
Should you have any unresolved issue that you wish to take further, please contact:
Office of the Health Ombudsman
Website
Address
PO Box 13281 George St
Brisbane, QLD 4003
Website:
Telephone: 133 646
Fax: (07) 3319 6350
Email: [email protected]
Whether it’s about fees, prescriptions, after-hours care, or booking —
our reception team is ready to assist you.
- Ingham
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- Halifax