Appointment Information
Bay Medical Centre operates via an appointment system. You can make an appointment by contacting the practice directly by phone or by booking online via HotDocs. If your appointment is for specific paperwork, employment medicals, commercial licence medicals, driving medicals or WorkCover please inform reception staff when booking.
Our standard appointments are 10 minutes however if you have complex or multiple health concerns please let reception staff know to book a long or double appointment for you. Please also be aware each appointment is for one person only. If you have additional family members who require medical attention, please ensure to make a separate booking for each person. This helps to avoid long wait times and allows each patient to have the time they require with the GP.
Bay Medical Centre aims to adhere to appointment times, however the unpredictable nature of a medical practice means that doctors do sometimes run behind schedule. This is mostly due to a patient requiring urgent medical attention, as we always try and accommodate walk-in emergencies. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused when we do fall behind with our appointment schedule and will attempt to communicate any delays with you promptly.
Please be advised that we DO NOT prescribe S8 medications.
If you no longer require your booked appointment please call and cancel so that the appointment time can be made available to other patients. In the case of a non-attendance with no cancellation notice, a non-attendance fee is applicable as per our cancellation and non-attendance policy.
Billing Information
Bulk Billing is available for most services for eligible Medicare card holders. Please speak with reception for the fee schedule for non-Medicare card holders. Additional fees apply for certain procedures which will be fully advised prior to the procedure. Please inform reception if your consultation is work injury-related as the official WorkCover fees will apply.
After Hours Service
After hours cover is provided by the National Home Doctor service. This service is contactable on 13SICK (13 74 25), and they are able to arrange an after hours home visit if required. To ensure continuity of care, the outcome of any care provided by the after hours service is communicated back to your nominated GP.
Patient Privacy
The privacy of the health information collected by Bay Medical Centre is very important and is protected in compliance with privacy legislation (Privacy Act 1988). You can access further details on this through our detailed Privacy Policy.
Test Results, Repeat Prescriptions, Referrals
In order to manage your health needs and fulfil our ethical and legal responsibilities, we require that you consult with your GP in order to receive all results, scripts or referrals. Our receptionists are unable to provide you with results over the phone or arrange scripts and referrals.
Should a critical or urgent result be received we will always endeavour to contact you promptly, however as a matter of routine, once investigations are requested by your GP, we advise you to pre-book a follow-up appointment for your results.
Reminder System
As a practice committed to preventative care, at the time of registration we will seek your permission to be included in our reminder system. Routinely, we may issue you with a reminder offering you preventative health care services appropriate to your health. If you do not wish to be included, please let reception staff know.
Communication Policy
Any patient communications with the practice are best via telephone call during surgery hours as per our Communication Policy, a copy of which you are able to request from reception. Administrative staff are then able to relay any urgent communications and arrange for your GP to be informed so that this can be acted on as appropriate. Due to the potential safety and privacy concerns, electronic communications are best avoided as explained in our Communication Policy.
Disability Facilities
Runaway Bay Centre has wheelchairs available on request from the information desk and Bay Medical Centre has wheelchair accessibility through its chemist entry. The closest accessible parking is located adjacent to the rear of the practice and an accessible bathroom is available on site.
Car Parking
For your convenience plentiful car parking is available within the Runaway Bay Centre complex, including accessible and undercover options.
Suggestions or Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of our practice or have any feedback or suggestions, we are keen to know.
For any concerns or complaints please speak with any member of our team directly or request a copy of Complaints Policy from the reception staff, which explains the complete complaint process and how seriously and thoroughly a complaint is then managed.
For any suggestions, please complete a Suggestions Form available at reception. Suggestions Forms are routinely reviewed by practice management and discussed in subsequent team meetings.
