FAQ’s

Patient Information

Below is information that will be useful for you to know before booking your appointment:

• Appointments

  An appointment for a standard consultation will be made with your preferred doctor or the next available doctor, depending on your preference.

  Extended consultations are available on request. If you anticipate that your consultation will be long, please advise the receptionist when making the appointment.

  SMS message reminders for appointment times are sent at 5pm on the day prior to the appointment.

  Our appointments are classified and invoiced as follows:

  • Minor Service (Level A)
    A brief service for an obvious problem characterised by the straightforward nature of the task that requires a short patient history and, if required, limited examination and management.
  • Specific Service (Level B)
    A service which requires of the General Practitioner a selective history and examination of the patient, to assess and manage the problem.
  • Extended Service (Level C)
    A service distinguished by more complex tasks required of the general practitioner when confronted with several alternative diagnoses which require a detailed history, multiple system examination, possible investigations and management.
  • Comprehensive Service (Level D)
    A service that requires of the general practitioner a complex intellectual process, involving exhaustive history, multiple system examination and the possible arrangement and evaluation of complex investigations in consideration of multiple alternative diagnoses.
• After Hours Care

  Cairns after hours service is to call Cairns Family Medical Centre at (07) 4051 2755.

  Patients will receive an after-hours message on our phone that directs them.  All our calls are triaged by a Nurse on call who will call the doctor if necessary to contact the patient.

   

   

• Cancellation

  There may be a cancellation fee if we do not receive notice of your cancellation.

  We need 24 hours notice if you wish to cancel an appointment prior to midday or minimum of two hours notice for afternoon appointments.

  If we receive late notice of your cancellation the fee may also apply. This enables us to reschedule the day for other patients.

  A fee may also apply if you miss your appointment without any cancellation notice.

• Complaints

  This practice acknowledges that patient complaints are an important source of customer feedback. Under the Human Rights Commission Act 2005, people with complaints should try to resolve them directly with the health service provider or medical centre. If a satisfactory outcome is not achieved then complaints can be directed to:

  Office of Health Ombudsman
  PO Box 13281
  Brisbane QLD 4003
  Phone 133 646

• Emergencies

  If you have an emergency please telephone 000 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

• Fees

  Cairns Family Medical Centre is a private billing practice, so fees are at the discretion of your treating doctor. Our standard fee for a consultation is $75.00, but may vary depending on the length of your consultation.

  Children under 16, pensioners and Health Care Card holders will be bulk billed.

  Please contact us if you wish to discuss the fee for your appointment.

  Our policy is that payments are to be made on the day of consultation. Accepted payment methods include credit card, EFTPOS and cash.

• Medical certificates

  Medical certificates are available and can be requested at the time of consultation with your doctor.

  If you require a special consideration certificate, please bring the necessary paperwork to your consultation.

• Privacy and confidentiality

  We comply with Australian Government Legislation, ensuring that the privacy of our patients is maintained.

  A copy of our privacy policy is available at reception.

  Further information is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on 1300 363 992

• Reminders and practice information

  Our practice is committed to preventative care and we may issue you with reminder notices or practice information from time to time.

  Please advise the staff if you do not wish to participate in this program.

• Health information

  Patients are able to have access to their medical records, but need to discuss this with their doctor. IF you require your notes to be transferred to another practice you will be required to sign a release form and will incur a fee of $30 to cover administration costs. No information will be released without your written consent.