BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT
Taking charge of your health has never been simpler. Book your appointment online with just a few clicks or use the Hotdoc App for even more convenience.
Whether it’s a routine check-up or urgent care, our dedicated team is here to support you.
If you require appointments for more than one person, please ensure to book separately for each individual, even if they are seeing the same doctor.
Appointments may still be available on the day if you are ill or injured. To book, please call our friendly reception team from 8.00 am weekdays or 8.30 am Saturdays.
If you need information or assistance, our reception staff will pass your request to the relevant person. To maintain privacy and minimise disruptions, doctors are not interrupted during consultations for routine requests. Instead, we will relay your message and arrange for the doctor to return your call.
Please be aware that it is not always possible to attend to everything in one consultation, and you may need to make a further appointment. There are several things you can do to maximise the benefits of your consultation;
Prepare Your Discussion Points
Write a list of things you wish to discuss and hand this to your doctor at the start of your appointment. Please remember that if your list contains more than two (2) issues to discuss, booking a longer consultation appointment would be beneficial.
Check Your Medications
Check your scripts prior to your appointment to ensure you do not run out of any medications.
Clarify Instructions
Ask your doctor to write down any specific directions about which you may be unsure.
Plan for Follow-Up
At the end of the consultation, be clear whether a follow-up appointment is required.
APPOINTMENT TYPES
Get the right care at the right time with our flexible appointment options, designed to suit your healthcare needs.
Standard Appointments
Schedule a standard appointment if you need to:
- Discuss one issue
- Get a repeat prescription or referral
- Receive test results
- Obtain a medical certificate
Long Appointments
Book a long appointment if you need to:
- Discuss two or more issues
- Have a skin check or cervical screening
- Arrange Worker’s Compensation
- Seek counselling or assistance with mental health concerns
Appointments Requiring a Nurse
Please call the practice directly to book the following appointments, as they require a scheduled time with our practice nurse:
- Childhood immunisations
- Attendance at our flu clinics
- Preventative health checks
- Medicals, including driver’s medicals, employment medicals, or any requested medical forms
- Surgical procedures
- Appointments requiring an interpreter
Billing Policy and Fees
As from 1st November 2025, Port Sorell Medical Centre is trialling the government’s bulk billing incentive initiative. This means all patients with a Medicare Card will be bulk billed for the recommended eligible Medicare services. This includes standard consults, preventative care and chronic condition management consults, health assessments, and mental health consultations. Not all services are covered under this initiative so please discuss with reception any out-of-pocket expenses for these relevant consultations which aren’t covered.
Please note that if you do not attend a scheduled appointment without providing prior notice, a non-attendance fee of $55 (including GST) may be applied. This fee is not covered by a Medicare rebate.
Appointment Delays and Cancellations
While we strive to ensure appointments run on time, delays may occur due to medical emergencies or appointments that exceed the scheduled time. If your appointment is delayed by more than 30 minutes, we will endeavour to contact you (with your consent) via SMS.
If you are running late, please be aware that it is at the discretion of the doctor or nurse whether you will still be seen or need to reschedule. We kindly ask that you arrive on time for your appointment to avoid disruptions. If you are unable to attend, please let us know well in advance so we can offer the appointment to another patient. Where we are not notified of your inability to attend your appointment, you may be charged a non-attendance fee.
Urgent Medical Attention
In the event of a medical emergency, if life threatening, please contact 000 to request an ambulance straight away.
Contacting the practice in a life-threatening emergency may delay the appropriate medical care arriving and being given. When your request is not a life-threatening emergency, our reception staff are experienced in assisting you and directing you in the appropriate manner. Practice nurses are made available to assist with your medical concern.
When in attendance, our practice can manage your care in a medical emergency. Medical emergency care is prioritised in our appointment system. Care may relate to management of your clinical needs until an ambulance arrives or alternative arrangements for continued care are in place.
After Hours
For any life threatening emergencies, please contact 000 and request an ambulance.
If you have an urgent medical problem outside of our surgery hours, please contact our After-hours service, Health Direct, on 1800 022 222.
Translating Services
Translators and interpreters, including services for patients with speech or hearing difficulties, can be arranged. Please advise reception at the time of booking if you require these services.
If you choose to bring a family member or friend for the purpose of translating, we ask you to consider your privacy, the possibility of miscommunication of information given and received, or the possibility of causing discomfort between yourself and the family member or friend when electing to do this.
Appointment Reminders
Your appointment is confirmed when booked into our system. Our practice utilises Hotdocs to provide reminders via SMS 24 hours prior to your consultation. These reminders serve to complement appointment cards or notations in your own personal diary. We do not have any control over telecommunication providers regarding undelivered or delayed messages, and these are not accepted reasons for missing your appointment.
If you do not wish to receive future SMS appointment reminders, you can do so by clicking the “Opt-out” link in the reminder received, or speaking with our friendly reception staff to assist with your opting out process.
Home Visits
Home visits for acutely ill or infirm are not routinely available. If you require a home visit, please contact reception and a request will be sent to your doctor. A decision can then be made depending on the clinical circumstances surrounding the request, and whether the location for the home visit is within a reasonable distance of the practice. At present a reasonable distance is deemed within a 10 kilometre radius of the practice.
Repeat Prescriptions
Our practice prefers patients to have an appointment for repeat prescriptions to enable your GP to monitor and give patients the appropriate treatment and to ensure regular assessments are given. Whilst this is the preference, we understand that this may be difficult or inconvenient at times. On-line requests for prescriptions can be completed via clicking the below button or via the Hotdoc App.
Patients requesting a repeat prescription without a face to face appointment will be charged a small practice fee for this service, which is not able to be claimed through Medicare as there is no rebate claimable.
Terms &Conditions do apply for this service. Please contact our friendly reception staff for more information regarding the terms and conditions.
Telephone Consultations
Following changes introduced by Medicare during the Covid-19 pandemic, telephone consultations may be are available under specific circumstances. Our preference is to schedule a face-to-face consultation, however we understand it may not be possible for people to attend consultation in person due to health or other circumstances.
The decision to be able to perform a telephone consultation will depend on the appropriateness with the reason for consultation, which will be determined by a qualified health professional.
Telephone consultations are subject to the same privacy policies as face-to-face consultations. Therefore, you will be required to confirm your identity, provide consent, and have these performed in a place which ensures privacy and confidentiality. Where it is confirmed appropriate, we are currently able to offer telephone consultations to patients who meet the following criteria;
- The patient has had a face-to-face appointment with the consulting doctor in the previous 12-months.
- The patient has registered with the practice under the MyMedicare program.
- No patient may have more than two (2) consecutive telephone consultations with any doctor/s.
Our practice does not offer telehealth (video consultations) for consultations with our healthcare providers, however it has the ability to host telehealth consultations for patients with scheduled specialist telehealth consultations where they are unable to host these themselves. These need to be scheduled and confirmed through our reception team.
10 Tips for Safer Healthcare
The following 10 tips can assist you to become more active in your health care.
Some questions that you might want to ask your health care professional are also included. You can make a longer appointment or come back at a more convenient time if there is not enough time for you to ask all your questions.
1. Take Charge of Your Healthcare
Be actively involved in your own healthcare.
2. Communicate Openly
Speak up if you have any questions or concerns.
3. Educate Yourself
Learn about your condition or treatments by asking your doctor or nurse and by using other reliable sources of information.
4. Keep Track of Your Medications
Keep a list of all medicines you are taking.
5. Understand Your Medications
Make sure you understand the medicines you are taking.
6. Get Your Test Results
Make sure you get the results of any tests or procedures.
7. Plan Ahead for Hospital Visits
Talk to your doctor or other health professional about your options if you need to go to the hospital.
8. Know What to Expect from Surgery
Make sure you know what will happen if you need surgery or a procedure.
9. Confirm Surgical Details
Make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation.
10. Have a Post-Hospital Care Plan
Before you leave the hospital, ask your doctor or other healthcare professionals to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.
Additional Resource: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality Care