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.
Billing
Bismark Street Family Practice is a PRIVATE BILLING CLINIC. The patient must be present at the consultation in order for a Medicare rebate to apply ( e.g. child must be present if the parent/carer wishes to discuss the child’s health concerns).
In the past we have offered bulk billing to many of our patients, but with the continued rise in operating costs for an accredited medical service, and only minor increases to rebates, we must now privately bill most patients. To continue providing high quality care by doctors and nurses, we have no choice but to make these changes.
The following will apply from Nov 1, 2023:
- A standard appointment is from $85 (out-of-pocket expense of $43.60.). From Dec 1 2023, a standard appointment on Saturday will be from $100
- A Long appointment is from $125 (out-of-pocket expense of $44.90.). From Dec 1 2023 a long appointment on Saturday will be from $140
- Mental health consultations and treatment plans will now attract private fees.
- Skin Checks and biopsies are privately billed for all patients, except age pensioners of 75 years plus.
- All telehealth (video and phone consults) are privately billed.
- For appointments prior to 8am there is a higher consultation fee of $102.45 for a standard consultation. Prior to 8am, face to face consultations receive a higher rebate of $53.90, but under Medicare, telephone consultations only attract the standard rebate of $41.40.
- Dr Deb Babatunde privately bills all patients for the first consultation with her – this includes new patients and those existing patients who are seeing her for the first time. This applies to patients of any age or concession status.
Payment is to be made at the time of consultation.
We have EFTPOS facilities for your convenience and so we can process your rebate as soon as possible. If you have a debit card, we can process your rebate when you pay, so that the rebate goes back into your account almost immediately. We also have HotDoc payments, where you can enter your credit card details for processing after your consultation. Note your details are not stored, so you do need to enter them again for each appointment.
Non attendances/late cancellations with less than 2 hours’ notice attract a fee.
Please ensure you register your current bank details with Medicare, so that your rebate can go into your account. You can do this through your MyGov account or by calling Medicare on 132 011.
Bulk billing will apply to appointments after 9am on weekdays for:
- Age Pensioners 75 years and older (previously 65 years).
- Veterans who have a Gold Card.
- Children 12 years and under
All weekday appointments prior to 9 am and all Saturday appointments are privately billed. Appointments prior to 8am attract a higher fee, but also receive a higher rebate. Saturday appointments attract a slightly higher fee to those on weekdays.
Note that all telehealth appointments are privately billed. If you are usually bulk billed and want to be bulk billed, you will need to attend a face to face appointment.
Non-attendance and Late Cancellation Policy
Non-attendance fees apply for appointments that you do not attend, and if you do not let us know at least 2 hours prior to the appointment time, that you wish to cancel the appointment. Cancellations can be made by phoning reception. If phoning to cancel an earlier morning appointment time, you will generally need to call the afternoon before.
We do appreciate it if you can take the time to contact us to cancel the appointment when you do not need it, so that other sick patients can be given the chance to be seen at this time.
For non-attendances or late cancellations without adequate notice the applicable fee will be $50. This is billed even if you are usually bulk billed or hold a concession card. No Medicare rebate applies. We will require payment of this fee, prior to you making further routine appointments.
Cancellations can be made by phoning reception, or via the HotDoc App, and if cancelling an appointment time before 9.30 am, we will also accept email cancellations via: reception@bismarkstreetfamilypractice.com.au
Appointments
Bismark Street Family Practice runs an appointment system. You can make an appointment by booking online via HotDoc or contacting the practice by phone.
- Standard Appointments- booked for 15 minutes
- Long Appointments- booked for at least 20 minutes
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.
Please also note that the patient must be present at the consultation to attract a Medicare rebate. For example a parent/carer must have the child present with them during the consultation, even if it is telehealth. If you attend without the patient, a full private fee will apply and there will be no applicable rebate.
Bismark Street Family Practice 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.
Telehealth Services
We offer telephone and video consultations to all of our existing patients. The process of booking a telehealth 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’ or ‘telehealth video consultation’ rather than the reason for the appointment. You will be asked to provide credit card details via a link, and your card will be billed at the end of the consultation. All telehealth is privately billed.
If you have not been seen face to face in the past 12 months, there will be no Medicare rebate available for your consultation.
Alternatively, you can call reception on 07 3209 9405 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 emailed to you or healthcare provider post-appointment.
Scripts issued during a telehealth consult may be sent electronically or will need to be picked up at reception.
Please be advised that we DO NOT PRESCRIBE 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
Several GPs who provide services at Bismark Street have advanced training in skin cancer management. Your 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 or nail polish.
Diagnosis & 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.
Each practitioner can offer the most common ways to treat skin cancer such as surgery, cryotherapy, use of topical chemotherapy, curettage and cautery as appropriate.
Please ask about fees that will apply to your skin check.
Telephone
To maintain confidentiality, we avoid telephone interruptions to doctors. A 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
Committed to preventative care, your doctor will seek your permission to be included on their reminder system.
Routinely, the clinic may issue you with a reminder notice offering you preventative health care services appropriate to your condition: e.g. diabetic register, pap screening, asthma register, and aged care assessment programs.
If you do not want to receive preventative health reminders, please let your doctor or reception staff know. However it is important to note that you cannot opt out from having us contact you about your blood test or other medical results if the doctor needs follow up with you as part of looking after your health.
Test Results, Repeat Prescriptions, Referrals
In order to monitor your health and fulfil our ethical and legal responsibilities, we require that you have an appointment your doctor in order to receive all results, scripts or referrals. This may be face to face, or if appropriate it may be possible to have a telehealth appointment. Our receptionists are unable to provide you with your results over the phone.
It is best to follow-up with the doctor who referred you for the test or who is your usual provider for continuity of care.
Communication Policy
Doctors do not routinely take phone calls from patients or return patient’s phone calls outside of an appointment. If a patient needs to speak to a doctor, they must make an appointment to consult with 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 Bismark Street Family Practice car park at the rear of the practice.
Management of Personal Health Information
Your medical records are private and confidential and only available to the health professional who are involved in your care and to authorised members of practice staff who provide support to these health professionals. All information at Bismark Street Family Practice 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.
This practice can upload a health summary from your records to your My Health Record.
For further information visit www.myhealthrecord.gov.au
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.
Where possible, please talk directly with your doctor or put your concerns in writing and send to:
