Billing

We endeavour to keep our fees affordable to ensure all patients have access to essential healthcare. Our most commonly charged items are listed on the FEES page. We accept EFTPOS, credit cards and cash for your convenience.

Patients will receive a rebate from Medicare for privately billed consultations. MEDICARE Online is a quick, secure and convenient way to claim your rebate at the time of your visit and have it deposited directly into your bank account. Go to http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/online-services/index.jsp for information on how to register.

Holders of Health Care cards, Aged pensions and Disability Support pensions must show these cards at the time of the consultation for bulk billing to apply.

Appointments

Please phone the practice on 3351 0323 to make an appointment or book online.  A standard consultation usually lasts up to 15 minutes and is sufficient for most medical visits. If you have multiple problems or complex issues to discuss during your consultation please request a longer appointment when making your booking. Please ask for a separate appointment for each family member.

When you arrive at the practice please see reception so we can confirm your arrival and let your doctor know you are waiting.

If you require urgent medical attention please notify reception on your arrival.

Appointments are held each day for walk in patients, urgent reviews or sick children. Our same day policy ensures you and your family will be seen.

Vaccines

Many vaccines are provided free by the Commonwealth and State Governments. Ask our staff for details of vaccination programs run at no cost to patients.

We also provide a full travel vaccination service including Yellow Fever Vaccine.

Interpreter Service

If English is not your preferred language ask about accessing an interpreter to help you with your consultation. We can usually organize a telephone interpreter on very short notice. With 48 hours notice we can arrange an “on-site” interpreter.

If you are hearing impaired or deaf, we can arrange an interpreter through NABS – the National Auslan Interpreter Service.

After Hours Care

We realise that illness can occur at any time. One of the practice doctors can be contacted by phone between 6am and 8am and from close of practice until 9pm Monday to Friday on 0414 869 674.

We also subscribe to Family Care Medical Services who will visit you at home after hours. The next morning they will notify us regarding their visit so we can update your records. They can be contacted on 13 SICK OR
13 7425.

Test Results

It is preferable to have a follow up consultation with your doctor to obtain and discuss the results of tests and any further action that may be required. Normal results for some routine screening tests in healthy patients (such as Pap smears), may be given over the telephone at the discretion of the doctor.

Patient Reminders and Recalls

As part of our ongoing commitment to high quality patient care, we use a reminder system where medically indicated. This could be to remind you that you are due for a Skin Check or a particular test like a pap smear. Reminders may be sent via email, SMS or Australia Post. If you do not wish to be part of our recall and reminder system, please tell our receptionists.

Home Visits

We provide home visits to regular patients of the practice who are unable to come to the practice because of their medical conditions. Visits can be arranged for patients in nearby nursing homes. Please ask reception about home visit charges or email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Repeat Prescriptions and Specialist Referrals

In order to monitor your health and fulfill our ethical and legal obligations, we require that you attend your doctor (or another doctor in the practice if your usual doctor is not available) in order to receive further prescriptions for your medications.

A consultation is required to obtain a referral to a specialist. This enables your doctor to provide your specialist with appropriate and up to date medical information. We are not permitted to backdate a referral.

If you require either a repeat prescription or a referral, please call 3351 0323 for an appointment.

Sickness Certificates

A certificate may only be issued after an examination by a doctor, so please make an appointment for this.

Telephoning Your Doctor

To ensure all patients receive optimal care and time during consultations, telephone calls to doctors are limited to when really necessary. Our reception staff is trained to help with most enquiries. If you need to speak with your doctor a message will be taken and your call will be returned when the doctor is available.

Car Parking

We have ample free car parking in front of the practice. Entry to the Great Western Super Centre is via Samford Road or Settlement Road. We are on the Samford Road side of the centre.

Disabled Access

We have disabled parking at the front of the practice. All doors are wheelchair accessible. We have a number of height adjustable beds to make examinations easier.

Privacy

Your doctor needs information about your past and present health to provide care of a high standard. We follow the Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector developed by the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner. Your health information is kept private and held securely. If you require further information on the management of your medical information, please ask to speak to our Practice Manager.

Patient Feedback

We strive to provide a quality, caring and compassionate medical service to our local community. We look after our staff well so our doctors and staff can take good care of you. If you have any concerns or suggestions please contact:

Ms Sue Williams
Practice Manager
Keperra Family Practice & Skin Cancer Clinic
Cnr Samford and Settlements Roads
Keperra QLD 4054
Phone: 07 3351 0323
Or email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We conduct regular patient surveys to take the pulse of the practice. We also have a group called “Friends of Keperra”, comprising patients and key staff who meet regularly to discuss the results of our surveys and contribute a broader perspective to service improvement. We have a culture of constant improvement within the practice and this goal is reliant on your feedback. It’s taken seriously and we always thank you for bringing concerns to our attention.

However, if you feel there is a problem we have not been table to help you resolve, you may wish to contact:

Health Quality and Complaints Commission
GPO Box 3089
BRISBANE  QLD   4001
Phone: 07 3234 0272

Waiting Times

Nobody likes to be kept waiting. Our staff is aware of this and tries to adhere to appointment schedules. The unpredictable nature of a medical practice means we run late at times. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to our patients when this happens.

Please feel free to telephone our surgery to check whether your doctor is running on time. Also if you require a longer appointment, let reception know so they can book you in accordingly.

Pick up a Beeper and 20% off a Cuppa at Pepper & Salt

If your doctor is running behind, ask a receptionist for a beeper. Show it to the friendly staff at Salt & Pepper and you will be given 20% off your coffee or use the time to pick up last minute shopping from Woolies or browse the shops. Our receptionist will beep you when you are the next patient to be seen.