Does the clinic accept walk-in patients?
All are welcome to come to the practice as a walk-in patient. However, it should be noted that patients with appointments and those needing emergency treatment will be prioritised.
To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend that you book ahead.
How long are standard appointments?
The standard appointment time is 15 minutes. However, if you need a long appointment (e.g. for a general check-up or for multiple health issues) please let our receptionists know and they will extend the appointment period for you. For specific procedures, your GP will let you know how long the appointment needs to be and whether it will be necessary to book our nurses and treatment rooms as well.
The fees for various appointments are available on our fees page.
Do I need an appointment for a specialist referral?
Under Medicare, it is important to have a current referral letter from your GP to see a specialist. These referrals are valid for twelve months, and it is illegal to backdate a referral, so we recommend making a GP appointment at least one week before your specialist appointment so that we can summarise all relevant information for the use of the specialist.
Do I need an appointment for a medical certificate?
Yes. You must make an appointment to receive a medical certificate. Please note that we are unable to backdate medical certificates.
Do I need an appointment for a repeat prescription for medication?
To obtain any script, an appointment with your GP is necessary. If you have lost your script, it is up to the doctor’s discretion whether to issue you another script without an appointment. Please note that a $10 administration fee may apply for any prescriptions issued without an appointment.
Can I make an urgent appointment on the day I need it?
Every day we have some free slots for urgent appointments, and they can be obtained by calling the practice after 8.30am. Please contact the practice as early as possible once you are aware that you are in need of urgent medical attention. Keep in mind that the receptionist may ask that you discuss the best approach to managing your appointment with a doctor or nurse over the phone.
Will you remind me when I am due for my cervical screening test or vaccination?
We will send reminders through SMS or mail if you make it clear to your doctor that you would like to be included in this system to be reminded for health check-ups, cervical screening tests, and vaccinations.
You can read more on our Reminders page.
Is parking available?
Yes, we have ample parking on site.
Do I have to pay out of pocket for my consultation?
Loch Street Medical Centre is a mixed billing practice. That means that you may have to pay an out-of-pocket fee for your consultation, on top of what Medicare will cover.
We offer bulk billing on weekdays and weekends for eligible patients.
Eligibility Criteria:
- 16 and under
- Health care card holders
- Pensioners
- DVA Card holders
On weekends we run a walk-in clinic, for which all patients are privately billed.
Do I have to pay if I cancel my appointment?
We understand that situations can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please inform us at least two hours before the scheduled time.
Missed Appointment Fee
If you miss two appointments in a row without prior notification, you will need to pay a fee for one missed consultation before you can book another appointment.
How can I provide feedback?
We welcome feedback from our patients so that we can improve our services. Options for providing feedback or making complaints are available on our Providing Feedback page.