Gastroenterology North Queensland strives for excellence both in our clinical work and in communications with our patients and doctors. We welcome feedback and suggestions for further improvement. In the first instance these comments should be directed to our practice manager. We aim to have problems resolved within one week, and to have contacted you within this period.
“Children’s Cancer Institute is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to putting an end to childhood cancer.” Prof Michelle Haber (Director)
The charity aims to raise funds to aid research into the causes and treatments of mental health disorders.
http://www.banishtheblackdog.org.au/
Charity committed to raising funds to aid cancer research. The charity was formed in memory of Adam Smiddy who died aged 26 of melanoma.
Giving seriously ill children the best gift of all - their families, during their time in hospital
Supporting local children's charities
A valid referral is required and important for claiming back your Medicare rebate.
No, please contact us for more details. (Medicare rebates are available).
Please see 'Billing policy' under 'Policies' in the Patient info tab.
Medicare rebates apply to the consultation fees however there will be an out-of-pocket cost (please contact the rooms for details). A small gap fee is charged for some procedures which you will be informed of at the time of booking.
For consultations, you are welcome to pay in cash or we have EFTPOS facilities. Cheques by prior approval only. With most health insurers the cost of a procedure in billed by our rooms direct to the insurance company. If there is a small gap for your procedure, we will require payment at the latest 24 hours prior to your admission time. This can be paid in cash, by EFTPOS in person or over the phone.
We do not accept American Express cards.
No. A consultation is an outpatient service, your health insurance will only cover inpatient or day admission stays. Part (but not all) of the cost of the appointment will be met by Medicare. You can claim from Medicare online at the rooms before you leave.
Where possible it is best to obtain scripts from your GP. If you do need a script, we require at least 48 hours' notice and there will, in most instances be a charge incurred. Our doctors are not always in the rooms and cannot always do them at short notice. To avoid unnecessary inconvenience (and cost), it is helpful to ask the doctor during your consultation for all required scripts.
Your referring doctor will receive copies of all reports and results. If further discussion or investigation is required, our doctor or a member of staff will be in contact with you after your procedure.
A referral from your GP will remain valid for 12 months, and from another specialist for three months. During this time you will not require an additional referral from your GP to ensure you receive your Medicare rebate.
If you have private health insurance, it is your responsibility to confirm that you are covered as a private patient in the chosen private hospital, and that you are covered for the procedures - to do this we will provide you with the relevant item number. If your private health fund does cover the hospital you will usually only pay your insurance excess on the day of your procedure, if applicable. The majority of the cost of a procedure (assuming cover) will be covered by your health fund however there may be a small out-of-pocket cost. The same applies to your anaesthetic care. We encourage you to contact the group providing the anaesthetic care and will give you their details at the time of booking so you can be informed.
If you do not have private health insurance, the hospital fees are payable on admission and are non-rebatable through Medicare. To obtain a quote for the hospital fees please contact the hospital you will be attending.
We are very happy to see you for a separate consultation prior to the procedure to answer any additional questions.
If you are referred directly for a procedure, then consultation before the procedure is not required. However, this depends on what procedure has been requested, your general health and what medicines you are on.
Bowel preparation (to clean out your bowel before your colonoscopy) can be acquired from your local pharmacy. We will provide you with details of how to take this to ensure a good result.
If you can see through it, and it is a liquid, then it is considered a clear fluid. Clear fluids include coffee without milk and tea without milk, clear soup, fruit flavoured cordial (not red, purple or any bright colours), plain jelly (not red or purple or any bright colours), Staminade, lemonade or clear ice blocks, clear apple or grape juice without pulp.
Yes, you can take paracetamol (e.g. Panadol) in addition to your normal prescription medications (unless advised otherwise) while on clear fluids or on the morning of your procedure with a sip of water.
We understand that sometimes things come up that are outside of your control. It is essential that you call our consulting rooms as soon as you know that you can't make it. We need as much notice as possible to ensure that the theatre lists run sequentially with minimal gaps.
We understand that sometimes things come up that are outside of your control. We require as much notice as possible (preferably at least 24 hours), as this appointment time could be offered to another patient. Please be advised that if you reschedule an appointment you will be offered the next available appointment. If you do cancel your appointment within 24 hours of your appointment time or do not arrive for your appointment you may be charged a cancellation fee.
It is the responsibility of the patient to obtain a new referral. Our receptionist will endeavor to inform you if you require a new referral, however, this is not always possible. If you are unsure, please ask our reception staff when booking your appointment.
Referrals from GP's are valid for 12 months from the date that you first see the doctor and referrals from specialists are valid for 3 months.
1.0 Gastroenterology North Queensland is committed to ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information affiliated with Gastroenterology North Queensland’s business undertakings.
1.1 Gastroenterology North Queensland follows the terms and conditions of privacy and confidentiality in accordance to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) as per schedule 1 of the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 (Cth), forming part of the Privacy Act 1988 (‘the Act’).
1.2 The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to clearly communicate how Gastroenterology North Queensland collects and manages personal information.
1.3 The point of contact regarding any queries regarding this policy is Kirsteen Masson, Manager.
2.0 As a private sector health service provider and under permitted health situations, Gastroenterology North Queensland is required to comply with the APPs as prescribed under the Act.
2.1 The APPs regulate how Gastroenterology North Queensland may collect, use, disclose and store personal information and how individuals, including Gastroenterology North Queensland patients may:
2.2 In order to provide patients with adequate health care services, Gastroenterology North Queensland will need to collect and use personal information. It is important to be aware that if the patient provides incomplete or inaccurate information or the patient withholds personal health information Gastroenterology North Queensland may not be able to provide the patient with the services they are requesting.
2.3 In this Privacy Policy, common terms and definitions include:
(a) Information or opinion about the health or disability (at any time i.e. past, present or future) of an individual that can be classified as personal information;
(b) Information or opinion about an individual’s expressed wishes about the future provision of health services that can be classified as personal information;
(c) Information or opinion about health service provided, or to be provided, to an individual, that can be classified as personal information;
(d) Other personal information collected to provide, or in providing, a health service;
(e) Other personal information about an individual collected in connection with the donation, or intended donation, by the individual of his or her body parts, organs or body substances; or
(f) Genetic information about an individual in a form that is, or could be, predictive of the health of the individual or a genetic relative of the individual.
2.3.1 Personal information also includes 'sensitive information' which is information including, but not limited to a patient’s:
2.3.2 Information deemed 'sensitive information' attracts a higher privacy standard under the Act and is subject to additional mechanisms for the patient’s protection.
3.0 Gastroenterology North Queensland collects information from each individual patient that is necessary to provide the patient with adequate health care services.
3.1 This may include collecting information about a patient’s health history, family history, ethnic background or current lifestyle to assist the doctor in diagnosing and treating a patient’s condition.
4.0 This information will in most circumstances be collected directly from the patient through but not limited to the following mediums:
(g) Health Care Service patient consent form;
(h) medical treatment form; and or,
(i) face to face consultation.
4.1 In other instances, Gastroenterology North Queensland may need to collect personal information about a patient from a third party source. This may include:
4.2 This will only be conducted if the patient has provided consent for Gastroenterology North Queensland to collect his/her information from a third party source; or, where it is not reasonable or practical for Gastroenterology North Queensland to collect this information directly from the patient. This may include where:
4.3 Gastroenterology North Queensland stores and retains a patient’s personal & health information in in a secure electronic format.
5.0 Gastroenterology North Queensland only uses a patient’s personal information for the purpose(s) they have provided the information for unless one of the following applies:
i. Health Professionals to provide treatment
During the patient’s treatment at Gastroenterology North Queensland he/she may be referred to alternative medical treatment/services (i.e. pathology or radiology) where Gastroenterology North Queensland staff may consult with senior medical experts when determining a patient’s diagnosis or treatment.
Gastroenterology North Queensland’s staff may also refer the patient to other health service providers for further treatment during and following the patient’s admission. These services include, but are not limited to:
These health professionals will be designated health service providers appointed to use the patient’s health information as part of the process of providing treatment. Please note that this process will be conducted whilst maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of the patient’s personal information.
ii. Alternative Health services
At any point a patient wishes to be treated by an alternative medical practitioner or health care service that requires access to his/her personal/health information Gastroenterology North Queensland requires written authorisation. This written authorisation is to state that the patient will be utilising alternative health services and that these health services have consented for a transfer of personal/health information.
iii. Other Third Parties
Gastroenterology North Queensland may provide the patient’s personal information regarding a patient’s treatment or condition to additional third parties. These third parties may include:
Where information is relevant or reasonable to be provided to third parties, written consent from the patient is required.
Additionally, the patient may at any time wish to disclose that no third parties as stated are to access or be informed about his/her personal information or circumstances.
iv. Other Uses of Personal Information
In order to provide the best possible environment to treat patients, Gastroenterology North Queensland may also use personal/health information where necessary for:
5.1 If at any point or for any of the aforementioned reasons Gastroenterology North Queensland uses or discloses personal/ health information in accordance with the APPs, Gastroenterology North Queensland will provide written notice for the patient’s consent for the use and/or disclosure.
6.0 If an individual patient reasonably requests access to their personal information for the purposes of changing the information he/she must engage with the relevant practice manager.
6.1 The point of contact for patient access to personal information is:
Paul Welch, Practice Manager
6.2 Once an individual patient requests access to his/her personal information Gastroenterology North Queensland will respond within a reasonable period of time to provide the information.
6.3 All personal information will be updated in accordance to any changes to a patient’s personal circumstances brought to Gastroenterology North Queensland’s attention. All changes to personal information will be subject to patient’s consent and acknowledgement.
6.4 If an individual requests access to his/her personal information Gastroenterology North Queensland currently do not charge a fee - but this is subject to review periodically. Please note that this fee is associated with administrative costs only.
7.0 How an individual patient may complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, or a registered APP code (if any) that binds the entity, and how the entity will deal with such a complaint.
8.0 Use of Overseas Parties:
Gastroenterology North Queensland does not engage with any overseas entities, with which personal or health information would be transferred, appointed or disclosed.
9.0 If Gastroenterology North Queensland receives any unsolicited personal information that is not deemed appropriate for the permitted health situation, Gastroenterology North Queensland will reasonably de-identify and dispose of the information accordingly.
9.1 If Gastroenterology North Queensland holds any personal or health information that is no longer deemed relevant or appropriate for the permitted health situation, Gastroenterology North Queensland will reasonably de-identify and dispose of the information accordingly.
10.0 Gastroenterology North Queensland provides free copies of this Privacy Policy for patients and staff to access, via their website: www.gastronq.com.au and hard Copies provided upon request.
11.1 Gastroenterology North Queensland in accordance with any legislative change will review the terms and conditions of this policy to ensure all content is both accurate and up to date.
11.2 Notification of any additional review(s) or alteration(s) to this policy will be provided to patients and staff within one months’ notice via Gastroenterology North Queensland’s website at www.gastronq.com.au
Get directions to Endoscopy Suite, Fulham Road, Mater Hospital
A member of GESA - Gastroenterological Society of Australia
Get directions to Consulting Rooms, Suite 1, Park Street Medical Suites
Suite 1, Park Street Medical Suites
62 Park Street, Pimlico QLD 4812
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