Covid19 Important info

We have done our best to keep our patients safe and to curb the spread of Covid-19. We have placed hand sanitizer at our enterance and reception, we have social distanced our waiting room the best we can and have a strict cleaning regime. We expect all patients entering our clinic to respect others regarding social distancing to keep our staff, clinicians and other patients safe.

Video & Phone Consults

Our doctors can offer an over the phone or telehealth consultation with patients who have been seen in the practice in the last 12mths. Please let us know if you would like one of these. You may be asked to make a face to face appointment if we feel it is more fitting to your situation. Please be aware that you maybe charged for a phone or telehealth consultation and it is to the discretion of the doctor.

SERVICES

- Family Planning (Pregnancy Tests/ Antenatal) - Pap Smears - Child & Adolescent Health - Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - Ear Problems (Irrigation/ Suction) - Skin Cancer Checks & Treatments - Minor Procedures - Counselling - Chronic Disease Care Plans - Electrocardiogram (ECG) - Spirometry (Lung Function) - Vaccinations & Immunisations - Hypnotherapy - Allergy Testing - BioBalance - Nutritional Advice - Pathology Collection - Medicals (not diving) Varied charges apply for Commercial Medicals.

Fee's & Billing

Standard Consult (under 20mins) $80.00 ( Gap $40.25) Long Consult (20-35min) $120.00 (Gap $43.05) Standard Consult International (no Medicare) $100.00 Long Consult International (no Medicare) $140.00 Nurse Practitioner fees vary. If consultation time is over 40mins, the fee will be higher. If you have a valid Pensioner or Health Care Card, or are under 16years old, we bulk bill. Cost may vary for travel insurers to cover admin fees and communications ($150-$185). *Prices subject to change.

Appointments

Please ring 07 4099 1111 for an appointment. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred time and Doctor. Walk in patients can be accommodated if time allows, otherwise our reception staff will allocate the next vacant appointment time if your visit is not needing urgent or immediate attention. Emergencies will always be given priority over other non-urgent appointments. Longer Consultation times are available, so please request at time of booking.

Communication Policy

Your Doctor will advise you when they expect your results to arrive back and you may be asked to make a follow up appointment (phone or consult) to receive your results. Telephone calls to our clinicians regarding urgent matters will be put through directly, however for results and non urgent matters our receptionist will take a message to give to your doctor and they will return your call when convenient. Our admin do not email results unless this has been discussed and ok'd with your doctor.

Prescriptions

REQUESTING PRESCRIPTIONS Doctors prefer to see or speak to patients for repeat prescriptions. In some situations, repeat prescriptions may be issued without consultation at the Doctor's discretion if you are a regular patient of theirs (seen within the last 3-6mths), however please allow a minimum of 48 hours notice to give the Doctor time when they are not consulting to do this for you. Doctors reserve the right to refuse to issue a script without an appointment if they see fit.

After Hours

CARE OUTSIDE OPENING HOURS If you require urgent medical attention, New Horizons for Health provides 24hr care for our patients. Please contact us on 07 4099 1111 and follow the prompts to be transferred to a doctor.

HOME VISITS

It is preferable for patients to be seen at the surgery, but home visits are available for patients whose condition prevents them from attending the surgery if there is a doctor available. After hours consultations attract a higher fee.

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

If booking for an acupuncture appointment with Dr Ron Bleier, please make our reception aware of this as we need to book a room for you. Acupuncture attracts a higher fee to a standard consultation however the rebate can be claimed back through our online Medicare claiming. Due to our Acupuncturist being a GP, you cannot claim this back through private health. Standard Acupuncture - $80.00 (Gap $40.85) Longer Acupuncture - $120.00 (Gap $44.20) For Chinese Medicine these are an extra cost.

Referrals

Our practice engages with a range of Health & Community Services to plan and facilitate optimal patient care. Our Drs refer through the public & private health system and any out of pocket costs will be discussed. Please ensure referrals to your specialist are current as Medicare rules state that back dated referrals are illegal. A request for a referral on the day of your specialist appointment may be refused as it is a Medicare requirement that your specialist has the referral before seen.

BioBalance

Consultations are longer as detailed history is essential. Follow up must happen on a regular basis as there are usually a number of interventions needed, and these can only be effectively integrated over time. Skype/phone followups are available, however there is no Medicare rebate for these. Please inform reception if you are seeking a more in depth consult, as we need to allow appropriate time, and it may be beneficial to complete a questionnaire prior to the initial visit.

My Health Record

My Health Record gives our patients the ability to control their medical records, giving other doctors, hospitals and specialists quick access to important health information. Please let our reception know if you have a My Health Record and tell your doctor if you would like them to upload important health information to your file whilst in your consultation.

Opening Hours

Consultation Hours Monday - Friday: 9am-5pm Opening Hours Monday - Friday: 8am - 6pm Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED In the case of needing to speak with a doctor out of hours, please call 4099 1111 and follow the prompts. WE ARE CLOSED ON ALL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS UNLESS ADVISED OTHERWISE.

Privacy Policy

The maintenance of privacy requires that any info regarding patients, including staff who may be patients, must not be disclosed in any form (verbally, in writing, electronic forms inside/outside our practice) except for strictly authorised use within the patient care context at our practice or as legally directed. Health records are kept on password sensitive computers with the practice network covered by a firewall. All our staff sign confidentiality forms upon employment.

Your Rights

If you have a problem, we would like to hear about it. Please feel free to talk to your Doctor or our Practice Manager. You may prefer to write to us via post or email. We take your concerns, suggestions and complaints seriously. Due to the nature of General Practice consultations, the Doctors may unfortunately run behind schedule at times. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Patient Health Information

Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain the security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff. Your information (medical or otherwise) will not be released to any persons or company without your written consent. Our policies are in accordance with the RACGP Standards and Australian Privacy Principles.

Respect & Staff Policy

As employers, we are obligated to provide a safe and peaceful workplace for our staff. They have a very difficult task juggling phone calls, electronic requests, patient and doctor demands. Your patience is expected and appreciated. Patients who verbally abuse or threaten our staff will be asked to leave the Practice and seek their care elsewhere.

QLD Health Quality & Complaints Commission GPO Box 3089, Brisbane, QLD, 4001 Website: www.gqcc.qld.gov.au Email: info@hqcc.qld.gov.au Phone: 07 3120 5999 Fax: 07 3120 5998 SMOKING POLICY This Practice has a no smoking policy. Thankyou

Continuity of Care

It is in the best interest of a patient to have a regular Dr. It is very important to see and speak to the same Dr to follow through on a problem. When a Dr either goes on leave or transfers away, a handing over of patients to another Dr within the practice occurs. This ensures any patient with a complex problem or in the middle of treatment can be reassured a Dr at this Practice will follow through. All Drs in the same practice have access to a patient’s full record.

Cancellation Policy

New Horizons for Health Medical is committed to providing all of our patients with exceptional care. We understand emergencies happen and you may not be able to attend your appointment, however, not cancelling appointments prevents another patient from obtaining much needed treatment. To cancel or change your appointment please phone us on (07) 4099 1111. If a patient habitually does not attend a booked appointment, it is the policy of this practice to refuse your booking in advance to see a GP.

Medical Record Transfer

If you have moved to another practice and would like to have your records, you will need to fill out a record request at your new practice to give our clinic permission to release your records to them. We charge a fee of $15.00 to cover the cost of the USB and registered post for your records security. You will need to call our reception to pay this over the phone prior to your record being sent. We do not accept USB from patients due to software security.

MyMedicare

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model. It aims to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, general practitioner and primary care teams. Click on the link below to find out who is eligible and how you can register with your GP.