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 4972 1111 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.
All telehealth appointments are to be paid for at the time of consultation; you can then claim your reimbursement direct from Workcover.
Skin check
Our experienced skin cancer doctor will take 10-15 minutes for a full skin check depending on your skin type. To thoroughly screen, the doctor will need to examine all areas that has been exposed to the sun and will ask to undress apart from your underwear. Ladies are asked not to wear makeup or moisturizer at time of appointment.
If the doctor finds any spots of concerns; the nurses will be able to provide onsite cryotherapy if needed, take close up pictures on the MoleMax for close monitoring or quote for a shave biopsy and/ or excision of the spot at a later date.
Our doctors offer the most common ways to treat skin cancer such as surgery, cryotherapy, use of topical chemotherapy, curettage and cautery as appropriate.
Fees
All skin cancer consultations and procedures incur an out-of-pocket fee. Medicare does offer a rebate for most procedures.
Non-skin cancer/Cosmetics procedures such as an excision of a cyst or benign mole attract no rebate from medicare.
The actual amount will depend on the complexity of the work being done. A quote will be provided at the time of booking appointment.
DVA gold cardholders’ invoices will be sent to Vet Affairs for payment.
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.
Please be aware that consultations will not be conducted over the phone.
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 are waiting on results from testing, one of our friendly receptionists or nursing staff may contact you under doctors direction. If you do not hear from our team, you may contact us on 07 4972 1111 to check on the progression of your results.
If you wish to opt-out of this, please inform our reception staff.
Billing
Port Curtis Medical Centre is a private billing practice and the cost for any consultation reflects the services required. Payment is expected at the time of consultation and can be made by cash, EFTPOS, MasterCard/Visa or cheque. Please contact the centre for a current fee schedule. Port Curtis Medical Centre offers a discount to patients who hold an aged pensioner card. Please be sure to show our receptionist this card when you arrive for your scheduled appointment. Port Curtis Medical Centre does offer bulk billing services to children under the age of 12. This does not include childhood immunisations.
Third Party Billing
If your visit is covered by Worker’s Compensation or a Third Party, please advise reception staff at the time of making your appointment.
It is our policy that ALL accounts are paid at the time of consultation and that patients pay for Workcover consultations themselves then claim back from Workcover
Appointments
Port Curtis Medical Centre runs an appointment system. You can make an appointment by contacting the practice by phone or booking online. We may also have availabilities for Walk-in appointments however it is recommended to contact to book an appointment .
- 6-20 Minutes – Standard Appointment
- More than 20 Minutes – Long Appointment
- 30 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 extra time with the doctor or a nurse appointment.
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.
Port Curtis Medical Centre 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.
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 appointments 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 and 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.
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 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 Port Curtis Medical 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 Port Curtis Medical Centre 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
My Medicare is a new voluntary patient registration initiative by the Federal Government aimed at strengthening the relationship between patient, GP, and primary care team.
Patient Registration has now commenced for all patients who have attended the practice at least twice in the last 2 years.
By registering for Medicare, 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 My Medicare 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 2 main ways you can register:
- Start the registration process in your Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app. Our team will then complete the registration in the My Medicare system.
- Alternatively, we can start the registration in My Medicare, and this will trigger a registration in your Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app, which you can then complete.
- You can also fill out a registration form at our practice. By signing the form, you are giving your consent to participate in My Medicare with our practice. Practice staff will then complete the registration in the my Medicare system.
More information here: How to Register for My Medicare – Link to https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/register-for-mymedicare?context=37386
Port Curtis Medical Centre Mission Statement
To provide compassionate, ethical and comprehensive health care of the highest standard – encompassing the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of each individual. This care will be provided by trained staff, in a safe environment without any form of discrimination, and acknowledging the right to privacy for every individual.
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:
Contact Person: Nikita Bishop
- Phone: 07 4972 1111
- Email: admin@pcmc.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