Medical enquiry phone calls will usually be transferred to Nursing Staff. Phone calls will generally not be placed through to the doctor during consultation times. You may be asked to leave your contact details so your doctor or the sister can call you back.

Childers Medical Centre does not offer an email service to our patients. If you are wishing to book appointments or send delicate health information etc, we ask that you telephone/ fax or come in personally. Our Email address is for the business side only, it is not manned 24/7 and not secure.

If you require a referral to a specialist then an appointment is required with your doctor. This is also the case for “continuing” referrals so please make sure that your referral has not expired when you book your specialist appointment. Please note: It is illegal to backdate referrals.

Patients who do not speak English or who are more proficient in another language, can choose a professional translating service or a translator who may be a family member or friend. Our practice encourages patients to utilise the free Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS). The TIS is a free service available 24 hours a day via telephone. If you require someone onsite at the practice to interpret, we require 48 hours’ notice to organise this for you.

Patients who are hearing impaired can have assistance provided by the National Relay Service. Further information available from our reception team.

From time to time this practice invites patients to complete a questionnaire on their views of the practice and how it could be improved. These surveys are completely confidential and help us improve our services.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the care you receive from this practice, please talk to your doctor or ask for the Practice Manager.

We believe that problems are best dealt with within the practice. However, you may prefer to contact the Health Ombudsman for handling complaints:

Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman, PO Box 13281 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4003

Phone: 133 646
Fax: 3319 6350
Email: info@oho.qld.gov.au
Web: www.oho.qld.gov.au

Consultations start from $85 and depending on the length of consultation can range to $210.00. If you hold a current Medicare card, you will then receive a rebate back from Medicare. Further information is available by calling the clinic and speaking to a member of our reception team.

If any further tests are required, you would be advised of this prior and your consent to proceed would be obtained.

For any paperwork there may be a fee incurred. We recommend that you advise reception at the time of booking that you have paperwork, and they will be able to advise if there will be an extra fee incurred.