Frequently Asked Questions

We're here to make your experience as smooth, informed, and supported as possible.

Below are answers to common questions about care, logistics, and your patient journey at North St Ives Medical Practice. 

  • You can book online anytime via our website, or call us during business hours on (02) 9144 7340.

    Same-day and urgent appointments are often available. 
    Book online

  • If you're new to North St Ives Medical Practice, we kindly ask that your first appointment be booked as a 30-minute consultation.

    This gives your GP the time to get to know you, review your history, and provide thorough, personalised care. 

    You can book online or by calling our reception team. 

    Please bring: 

    • Your Medicare card

    • A list of your current medications or prescriptions 

    • Any previous test results or referral letters, if transferring care

  • Absolutely. Our GPs provide care for patients of all ages — from newborns to grandparents.

    We offer childhood immunisations, developmental assessments, and family-centred care.

    When booking, feel free to let us know if you’re bringing more than one family member so we can allow extra time. 

  • Yes.

    Chronic disease care is a key focus at our practice.

    We offer personalised care plans, regular reviews, and allied health support for conditions such as: 

    • Diabetes 

    • Asthma & COPD 

    • Heart disease 

    • Osteoporosis 

    • Arthritis 

    • Chronic pain 

    Talk to your GP about creating a Chronic Condition Management Plan to access Medicare-funded support services. 

  • Yes — we offer telehealth appointments (by phone) for existing patients.

    This can be a convenient way to: 

    • Follow up on test results 

    • Request a repeat prescription or referral 

    • Discuss a stable, ongoing health issue 

    • Access care when you're unwell or unable to attend in person 

    To be eligible for Medicare rebates, you must have seen one of our GPs in person within the last 12 months, except in specific circumstances (e.g. COVID-19 isolation). 

    When booking online or over the phone, just select Telehealth as the appointment type. Your GP will call you at the scheduled time. 

    Please note: Some issues still require a face-to-face appointment, especially new or complex symptoms, physical exams, or procedures. 

  • We work closely with local pathology providers and can help you access testing with ease.

    While we don’t have pathology collection onsite, we’ll provide you with a referral form and direct you to a nearby collection centre. 

    If you request a pathology form online, a small fee applies. 

  • Our nursing team plays a vital role in delivering high-quality, continuous care.

    They assist with: 

    • Immunisations 

    • Wound care and dressing changes 

    • ECGs and health assessments 

    • Chronic disease support and care planning 

    • Cervical screening 

    • Iron infusions (with GP support) 

    • Lifestyle support and patient education 

    If you're unsure whether your care can be provided by a nurse or a GP, our reception team will guide you when booking. 

  • Yes.

    Free parking is available directly outside the clinic and within the Colonial Shopping Centre car park. Disabled access is also available. 

  • Yes — for patients we know well, and whose conditions are stable, we offer a range of convenience services that can be requested online. These include: 

    • Repeat prescriptions

    • Medical certificates

    • Pathology request forms

    Each request is reviewed by a GP and a small fee applies.

    These services are available to regular patients who have been seen in-person within the last 12 months. 

    Learn more on our Convenience Services page

  • Yes.

    We offer recall and reminder systems for important health checks, immunisations, care plans, and screening programs.

    These may come via SMS, phone call, or email, depending on your preferences. 

    If you'd like to opt out or update your communication settings, please let our reception team know. 

  • We understand that plans can change.

    However, to ensure fairness and availability for all patients, a $50 cancellation fee applies for: 

    • Missed appointments (no-shows)

    • Cancellations made within 4 hours of your scheduled appointment time 

    This helps us offer unused appointments to others in need. 

    If you believe there were exceptional circumstances, please contact us — we're always happy to discuss. 

    You can read more on our Cancellation Policy page

  • To transfer your records to North St Ives Medical Practice, simply complete our Patient Transfer Form, which is available online or at reception.

    Once completed, you can forward it to your previous clinic, or we can help facilitate the request. 

    See Transferring Your Medical Records for a step-by-step guide. 

  • We’re happy to help.

    Please ask your new clinic to send us a signed patient consent form requesting the transfer of your records.

    We’ll prepare a summary and forward it securely to your new provider. 

  • While our clinic operates during regular business hours, we partner with a reputable after-hours medical service. 

    For urgent needs after hours: 

    • Call 13SICK (137 425) for the National Home Doctor Service 

    • Or visit your nearest hospital emergency department for serious or life-threatening concerns 

  • We welcome your feedback — it helps us improve. Whether it’s a compliment, suggestion, or concern, please contact us via: 

    📧 Email: manager@northstivesmedical.com.au

    📞 Phone: (02) 9144 7340 

    📝 Feedback forms are also available at reception.

    We take all concerns seriously and will handle your feedback respectfully and confidentially. 

  • We are a private billing clinic.

    Some services may be bulk billed (such as childhood immunisations and government-funded health assessments), but most consultations incur an out-of-pocket fee.

    Please refer to our Fees pagefor full details. 

  • Yes.

    We encourage continuity of care and support long-term relationships between patients and their chosen GP.

    You can select your preferred doctor when booking online or request this when calling reception. 

  • Yes, we can arrange a free interpreter through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National). Please let us know when booking if this is required. 

  • Your doctor will explain how results will be handled at the time of your appointment. In most cases: 

    • Results will be reviewed and discussed at a follow-up appointment 

    • We’ll contact you directly if urgent follow-up is needed 

  • Your privacy is very important to us.

    North St Ives Medical Practice complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring your personal health information is kept secure, confidential, and only used to support your ongoing care. 

    We have a designated Privacy Officer who oversees our privacy and data protection practices.

    If you have any concerns or would like more information, you’re welcome to contact them directly at privacy@northstivesmedical.com.au

    You can also view our full Privacy Policy at any time on our website:  👉 View our Privacy Policy

  • MyMedicare is a voluntary registration system that helps strengthen your connection with your chosen general practice. By registering, you let Medicare know that North St Ives Medical Practice is your regular care team, which can unlock access to: 

    • Longer Medicare-funded telehealth consultations 

    • Better continuity and coordination of care 

    • Improved support for managing chronic conditions 

    You can register through your Medicare Online Account, the Express Plus Medicare app, or by asking us to start the process for you. Learn more on our MyMedicare page

Still have questions? 

We're always happy to help.

Call us during practice hours or send us a message and we’ll point you in the right direction.