Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way to book is through our online booking system or by downloading the Automed (AMS Connect) app directly to your phone.

Book online

Download the Automed app:

You can also call reception during business hours and our team will book you in.

When booking, please select the appointment type that best matches your needs. Choose a standard appointment for a single routine concern, or a long appointment if you have several concerns, a new or complex condition, results to discuss, or paperwork requiring the doctor's attention. If you are unsure, call reception and we will help.

Appointments are recommended and can be made online or by phone at any time. Walk-in patients may be accepted depending on doctor availability and the urgency of the situation, but waiting times cannot be guaranteed.

For a same-day appointment, contact reception as early as possible, we do our best to accommodate urgent needs on the day.

Yes. You may request an appointment with a specific doctor, subject to their availability. If your preferred doctor is not available on a given day, reception can advise the next available time.

We encourage continuity of care: seeing the same GP for ongoing or complex health conditions means your doctor knows your history, your goals, and what works for you. Building that relationship leads to better health outcomes over time.

For care outside these hours, see the After-Hours and Emergencies section below.

Please contact reception as soon as possible if you are running late or need to cancel. Patients who arrive significantly late may need to wait, have a shorter consultation, or reschedule so other patients are not delayed.

We ask that you give us as much notice as possible for cancellations. Repeated missed appointments or late cancellations may be managed under the clinic's cancellation policy. Cancellation fees, where applicable, cannot be claimed from Medicare.

Telehealth appointments may be available when clinically appropriate and when Medicare eligibility requirements are met.

Important clinic policy: To access a telephone or video appointment, you must have attended Summervale Medical for a face-to-face consultation within the last 6 months. If you have not been seen in person within this period, an in-clinic appointment will be required before telehealth can be arranged.

For patients requiring prescriptions for opioid medications or benzodiazepines (drugs of dependence), a face-to-face consultation within the last 3 months is required before these can be prescribed or continued via telehealth. These medications cannot be managed remotely outside this window.

Some conditions, first appointments, procedures, and certain medication requests require an in-person examination regardless of telehealth eligibility. The doctor may also ask you to attend the clinic if a safe assessment cannot be completed remotely.

Yes. Summervale Medical bulk bills Medicare-eligible standard GP consultations for all patients with a valid Medicare card. This means we accept the Medicare benefit as full payment, there is no gap fee for you to pay for a consultation.

Learn more about bulk billing through Services Australia →

A standard consultation covers routine medical care that can be appropriately addressed during a normal GP appointment. This may include assessment of a new health concern, management of an existing condition, a medication review, or discussing test results.

If you have several concerns, a complex condition, forms requiring detailed completion, or need a care plan prepared, please request a long appointment when booking. This gives the doctor enough time to address everything properly without rushing.

The great majority of what we do is bulk billed. Additional fees may apply to:

• Certain specialised procedures
• Vaccines not funded under a government immunisation program
• Employment, insurance or commercial medical examinations
• Detailed reports, non-standard forms, and legal or insurance documentation
• Services that fall outside Medicare coverage

Yes. Summervale Medical is registered to provide services to eligible Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) patients, and we are proud to support our veterans and their families.

• DVA Gold Card holders are covered for most medical conditions, in most cases, there is no cost to you for a consultation.
• DVA White Card holders are covered for conditions accepted as service-related.

Please bring your DVA card to every appointment and advise reception when booking that you hold a DVA card so the correct billing can be arranged. DVA patients are encouraged to ask their doctor about the full range of health services available to them under their entitlements.

Yes, Summervale Medical supports the DVA Coordinated Veterans' Care (CVC) Program and welcomes eligible veterans to access it through our clinic.

The CVC Program is a DVA-funded program designed for veterans living with chronic or complex health conditions. Its goal is to manage your conditions proactively, keep your health stable, and reduce the risk of unplanned hospital admissions. Instead of coordinating your care yourself across multiple providers, the program builds a team around you, your GP and a care coordinator (usually our practice nurse), working together from a single plan built around your health goals.

What the program involves:

• Your GP develops a comprehensive care plan tailored to your conditions and goals
• Our practice nurse acts as your care coordinator, staying in regular contact and keeping your care on track
• Your care team monitors your health, adjusts the plan as your needs change, and coordinates with any other providers involved in your care
• Your initial assessment and care plan are completed face to face at the clinic

There is no cost to you. Your GP is funded by DVA to deliver and coordinate the program.

Who is eligible:

• DVA Gold Card holders, eligible if you have one or more chronic health conditions
• DVA White Card holders, eligible if you have a chronic mental health condition that DVA has formally accepted as service-related

White Card holders whose mental health condition has not yet been formally accepted by DVA are not eligible for the CVC Program, but may still access mental health treatment through DVA's Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) arrangements.

How to get started: Simply mention the CVC Program at your next appointment and ask your doctor whether you are eligible. If you are, and you consent, your GP will enrol you and begin building your care plan. You can remain in the program for as long as you continue to benefit from it.

DVA, Coordinated Veterans' Care Program information for veterans →

You are still welcome to attend, but a private consultation fee will apply. Please contact reception before your appointment so we can advise you of the current fee and payment options.

International visitors and patients with private health or travel insurance may be able to seek reimbursement directly from their insurer after paying at the clinic.

Not necessarily. Pathology providers, imaging practices and specialists are independent organisations with their own billing policies. A referral from a bulk billing GP does not guarantee that the external provider will bulk bill their service. We recommend confirming fees directly with the provider before attending.

For your convenience, there is a pathology collection centre located within the same building.

Yes. Patients holding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) are welcome at the clinic. In most cases, consultation fees are payable on the day of your appointment. Depending on your level of cover, you may be able to claim part or all of the consultation fee directly from your health insurer.

Please check with your insurer regarding your entitlements before attending. Reception can provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

Yes, new patients are very welcome, and we would love to be your regular GP clinic. New patients may need a slightly longer initial appointment so the doctor can understand your medical history, current medicines, and healthcare needs.

Please advise reception if you have a complex medical history or several concerns when booking so the right appointment length can be arranged.

Please bring:

• Your current Medicare card
• Photo identification
• Any concession, healthcare, pension or DVA card
• A current list of your medications and doses
• Relevant hospital discharge summaries, specialist letters or recent test results
• Any forms or documents that need to be discussed with the doctor

New patients should arrive 10 minutes early to complete registration paperwork and consent information.

Yes. You will need to sign an authority allowing your previous practice to send your records to us. Your previous clinic may charge a small administration fee for preparing the transfer, and the process can take some time, we recommend arranging this before or at your first appointment where possible.

Having your previous records available helps your new doctor understand your full health history and provide the best possible care from day one.

Please let reception know when booking if you have more than one or two concerns. A standard appointment may not provide enough time to address several or complex issues safely.

The doctor may ask you to prioritise the most urgent concern and arrange a follow-up appointment for any remaining matters. This is not a cost-cutting measure, it is about giving each issue the time and attention it deserves.

Registering Summervale Medical as your regular GP practice through MyMedicare is free, takes less than two minutes, and comes with real benefits, including priority access to telehealth with your regular GP, better care coordination for ongoing conditions, and ensuring your doctor has a complete picture of your health history in one place.

To register in clinic: Simply ask reception at your next visit and we can complete the registration for you on the spot, it only takes a moment.

MyMedicare registration is voluntary and does not affect your right to visit any doctor or clinic. It simply tells the health system that Summervale Medical is your home base for your primary care.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (commonly called a Mental Health Care Plan) is one of the most valuable, and underused, benefits available through Medicare. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, grief, trauma, or any other mental health concern, your GP can prepare a personalised plan after a thorough assessment.

What it gives you:

• Access to a Medicare rebate on up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with an eligible psychologist or registered mental health professional
• A structured plan that sets out your mental health goals and the support you will receive
• Your GP working alongside your psychologist to coordinate your care

Who is eligible: Any Medicare cardholder experiencing a mental health concern may be eligible. You do not need a formal diagnosis, if your mental health is affecting your day-to-day life, please speak with your doctor.

How to get one: Book a long appointment and let reception know you would like to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan. A long appointment is required so your doctor has enough time to conduct a thorough assessment and prepare your plan at the same visit.

After your first 6 sessions, a review appointment with your GP is required to access the remaining sessions for that calendar year.

If you are living with a chronic or complex medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, COPD, asthma, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, or a long-term mental health condition, you may be eligible for a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP, MBS item 965). This is a structured, personalised plan prepared by your GP that coordinates your care and can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for allied health services.

What it gives you:

• A written plan that sets out your health goals, the actions you and your care team will take, and the services you need
• Access to up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health visits per calendar year with providers such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, podiatrist, dietitian, diabetes educator, or exercise physiologist
• Your GP actively coordinating your care across multiple providers
• Regular reviews to update the plan as your health changes

Who is eligible: Adults with a chronic or complex medical condition that has been present for at least 6 months and is likely to require ongoing management. Your GP will assess whether a GPCCMP is appropriate at your consultation.

MyMedicare registration: To access a GPCCMP, you will typically need to be registered with Summervale Medical as your regular practice through MyMedicare. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes, see the MyMedicare section above, or ask reception to register you on the spot at your next visit.

How to get started: Book a long appointment and let reception know you would like to discuss a care plan for your ongoing condition. Your doctor will review your health, set up the plan with you, and organise referrals as needed. The plan preparation is bulk billed under Medicare for eligible patients.

Summervale Medical provides a wide range of vaccinations for children, adolescents, and adults.

National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines, funded by the Australian Government and provided at no cost to eligible patients. This includes standard childhood immunisations, influenza vaccines for eligible groups, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines for older Australians, and more.

Non-program vaccines, including certain travel vaccines and vaccines not currently funded under the NIP, may attract a fee for the vaccine product itself. The consultation to administer or discuss the vaccine may still be bulk billed.

Please let reception know the purpose of your appointment when booking so adequate time is arranged. If you are planning travel and need travel health advice, please book a long appointment.

Your GP can refer you to a specialist or allied health provider where clinically indicated. A referral letter is usually prepared at the consultation and given to you directly or sent electronically to the specialist's rooms.

Standard specialist referrals are valid for 12 months.

Yes. Skin checks are available at Summervale Medical. Skin cancer is one of the most common and preventable cancers in Australia, and early detection makes a significant difference to outcomes. Please avoid wearing make-up or fake tan.

Please book an appointment and advise reception that you would like a skin check so appropriate time is allocated. Some skin procedures may attract a fee for consumables or specialised equipment, reception can advise you before you attend.

Repeat prescriptions and referrals require a consultation so the doctor can confirm they remain clinically appropriate. In most cases we can fit you in on the same day or very shortly after, please call reception and we will do our best to accommodate you promptly.

A previous prescription or referral does not guarantee automatic renewal. The doctor may need to review your condition, check recent results, or arrange monitoring before issuing it.

For urgent requests, please speak with reception directly so we can find the earliest available appointment.

Summervale Medical does not prescribe Schedule 8 medicines (including opioids such as oxycodone, morphine, and codeine) or other drugs of dependence, including sedatives and benzodiazepines such as diazepam and alprazolam, on the first appointment to any new patient not already known to the treating doctor.

This policy exists to protect you. Safe prescribing of these medicines requires your doctor to properly assess your condition, review your QScript record, and monitor your response over time. Bringing a previous prescription, medication box or letter from another clinic does not guarantee that the medicine will be prescribed.

For information on telehealth and face-to-face requirements for ongoing opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions, see the Telehealth section above.

Queensland prescribers are required to comply with the state's monitored-medicine and QScript requirements.

Unless you are relocating to a new region, ongoing Centrelink forms will not be continued for new patients at their initial appointment. Please bring relevant reports, previous certificates and information about your current Centrelink requirements to your first appointment so your doctor can begin to understand your situation.

Services Australia, information required in a Centrelink medical certificate →

A doctor may provide a medical certificate after an appropriate consultation and clinical assessment. Certificates cannot be issued automatically, backdated, or solely because they have been requested.

The doctor must be able to reasonably support the information recorded in the certificate based on their clinical assessment.

Prescription weight loss medications may be prescribed where clinically appropriate following a thorough assessment by your treating doctor. These medications are not suitable for everyone and require an evaluation of your medical history, current medications, and weight management goals before prescribing can be considered.

A comprehensive approach to weight management is available at the clinic, including clinical assessment, lifestyle and dietary advice, medication where indicated, and ongoing follow-up support. Please book a long appointment to discuss whether these options may be appropriate for you.

ADHD medications are typically initiated by a specialist (such as a psychiatrist or paediatrician) rather than a GP. Where appropriate documentation is available, such as a specialist management plan, letter of diagnosis, or authority to prescribe, your treating doctor may be able to continue prescribing these medications, subject to their clinical judgement and compliance with Queensland prescribing regulations.

If you are transferring your care from another clinic or specialist and require continuation of an existing ADHD medication, please bring all relevant documentation to your appointment. Please advise reception of the purpose of your visit when booking so adequate time can be arranged.

Yes. Medical assessments for Queensland commercial driver licences are conducted at the clinic in accordance with Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive standards.

A fee of $175 applies to commercial driver medicals. This is a private assessment and is not eligible for a Medicare rebate.

A commercial licence is any licence class greater than light rigid, namely medium rigid, heavy rigid, heavy combination, and multi-combination.

Read our full commercial licence medical guide →

To avoid delays, complete both of the following forms before attending your appointment:

1. Private and Commercial Vehicle Driver's Health Assessment (F3195), complete the patient section in full before attending. Download form F3195 →
2. Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (F3712), complete your section of this form before attending. Download form F3712 →

The assessment cannot proceed without both forms being partially completed on arrival.

Eye check: Bringing a current report from your optometrist significantly speeds up the assessment. While vision is assessed as part of the medical, a recent optometrist report avoids delays on the day.

Also bring any relevant medical records, specialist letters, or investigation results.

Diabetes: If your diabetes is managed with any medication other than metformin, Austroads guidelines require an annual specialist review before a conditional commercial licence can be issued or renewed. Please bring your most recent specialist correspondence to the appointment.

Sleep apnoea: Sleep apnoea requires annual specialist review. Please bring your most recent sleep specialist letter.

If you are uncertain whether your medical history may affect your commercial licence eligibility, contact reception prior to booking and allow adequate time for the appointment.

Read our full commercial licence medical guide →

Your doctor will explain at your appointment how and when to expect your results, and whether a follow-up appointment is needed. Some results require a further consultation so the doctor can explain their meaning and discuss the next steps with you.

The clinic may contact you if a result requires prompt review, but please do not assume that no contact means all results are normal unless specifically informed by the GP. If you have not heard back and are concerned, contact reception or book an appointment to follow up.

Summervale Medical is a general practice, we are not an emergency department.

For a life-threatening illness or injury, including severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden weakness or paralysis, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance.

For urgent but non-life-threatening concerns outside clinic hours, the Hello Home Doctor Service provides after-hours GP home visits across the region. 📞 13 41 00

For health advice from a registered nurse at any time, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For an urgent but non-life-threatening concern during clinic hours, contact reception as early as possible. Staff will advise you if an urgent-care service or emergency department is more appropriate for your situation.

Queensland Health, emergency care guidance →

Reception staff are not clinically trained and cannot diagnose symptoms, recommend treatment, or provide medical advice. They can help you choose the right appointment type and pass urgent information to a nurse or doctor where appropriate.

If you are uncertain whether your concern is an emergency, call 000 for a life-threatening problem or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice from a registered nurse.

Your personal and medical information is handled confidentially in accordance with applicable privacy laws and the clinic's privacy policy. Information is collected and used to provide healthcare, manage your patient record, and for purposes directly related to your care.

For full details of how we collect, use and protect your information, please see our privacy policy. You may request a copy of the clinic's privacy policy from reception at any time.

Yes. Summervale Medical has been purpose-built with accessibility in mind, including wheelchair access and facilities suitable for patients with mobility requirements. Please advise reception at the time of booking if you have specific access needs so we can ensure everything is in place for your visit.

You are welcome to bring a trusted support person to your appointment. The doctor may ask to speak with you privately for part of the consultation where clinically appropriate.

If you require an interpreter or communication assistance, please advise reception when booking so we can discuss available options and make the necessary arrangements.

We welcome all feedback, it helps us improve. Please speak with reception, or contact the Practice Manager by phone, email or in writing. We aim to address every concern respectfully, promptly and confidentially.

Patients who remain dissatisfied after raising a concern with the clinic may contact the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO), Queensland's independent health complaints body.

🌐 oho.qld.gov.au   📞 133 646

Yes. Free on-site parking is available for patients attending the clinic.