Do you provide home visits?
Home visits are arranged in special circumstances only. Usually, we ask patients to attend the medical centre as it is fully equipped.
Do I have to pay on the day of consultation?
Yes, our policy is to receive payment on the day of consultation. However, if you have a genuine reason for not being able to pay, then please speak to the receptionist and we can discuss alternative payment options available. In some circumstances, we may be able to access government funding rather than charging a fee.
How long is each consultation?
Standard consultations are about 15 minutes long. This includes referrals to a specialist or making phone calls on behalf of patients, prescribing medications and entering computer notes of the consultation.
What if I have a list of things and need more time?
If you feel you need more time with the doctor, please let the receptionist know when you are booking your appointment so we can allow more time. Please note, you usually have to pay more for longer consults.
If you have a list let the doctor know at the start of the consultation so issues can be prioritised. If there is not enough time to discuss everything within the 15 minutes, you may be asked to make another appointment. It is important that enough time is allowed to deal with multiple issues so that all your conditions are resolved or treated appropriately. Usually, this will attract further consultation fees, although in some circumstances we may be able to obtain government funding. Please ask.
Can I be seen urgently?
Urgent appointments will always be seen as soon as possible. We have a triage nurse who will assess the severity of your condition. Conditions that we consider urgent include uncontrollable bleeding, shortness of breath, severe chest pain, head injury, and (in the case of a child), high fever with a rash.
Why have I been waiting to be seen? My appointment was 30 minutes ago.
There are many reasons why the doctor or nurse may be running late. Unfortunately, solving your health problems is not always a simple and straightforward matter. Some people may take longer than others. The patient before you may have been very unwell with multiple complicated conditions requiring more time, which we could not foresee before the appointment. Or, we had to deal with an emergency situation.
Remember, one day you may be the person who needs more time with the doctor.
Please allow plenty of time when you book your appointment to allow for the fact that the doctor may fall behind. If you are pushed for time, let the receptionist know so we can reschedule you with another doctor or organise another time.
Is your time more important than mine that I have been waiting so long?
No doctor or nurse feels their time is more valuable than the patient’s time. We do try to keep to time. However, as mentioned above, one’s health is not always a simple and straightforward matter, and situations arise which we cannot foresee.
