Appointments

Booking an Appointment

• New Patients: First appointment is 30 minutes for a comprehensive review.
• Standard Appointments: 15 minutes long.
• Long Appointments: Book a 2-issue appointment (15–30 minutes) for multiple or complex concerns.
• Skin cancer checks: 30 minutes long; book online.

Special Appointments

For childhood health checks (Blue Book), vaccines, ear syringes, or procedures, call (02) 4237 7502 directly for nurse assistance.

Appointment Options

In-person, phone, or video call appointments can be booked using the booking button or directly through tenant GPs' websites. All appointments must be pre-booked.

Urgent and Emergency Care

• Emergencies: Call 000.
• Urgent care advice: Contact Health Direct at 1800 022 222 or call (02) 4237 7502 during business hours.
• Urgent appointments: Available online at midnight for the following day.

Bulk Billing for Nurse-led GP Management Plans, Health Assessments, and Blue Book Checks

Nurses bulk bill GP Management Care Plans, Health Assessments, and Blue Book checks.

Care plans only incur a private fee if you opt for a private appointment with your GP to complete it. A normal time out-of-pocket (or 'gap') fee applies for these appointments, as shown in the times and fees below. Medicare will refund the amount minus the Out of Pocket fee.

Fees for Appointments

Doctors in Kiama Downs charge an out of pocket cost (or gap fee) for their care. Medicare covers 60% of the nationally recognized fair pay rate for GPs. Charging a gap allows GPs to spend more time with patients.

Upon payment, you will receive the Medicare amount back on the spot or within one business day.

Your out-of-pocket fee is $75 (or $113 for 20 minutes, $175 for 40 minutes, $212 for over an hour). This fee is only $14 to $42 once you reach the Medicare safety net. Out-of-pocket fees support fair pay for receptionists, nurses, GP trainees, and high-quality care.

Concession Card Holders

Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card Holders receive a $20 discount.

Nurse Fees

For 2025 and until further notice, Nursing care is bulk billed except for dressings, ear syringes, and medical procedures. Wound dressings are $25 and ear syringes are $50. Nurses bulk bill Care plans, Health Assessments and Blue Book checks.

If you wish to have an appointment privately with your GP to complete your care plan, a normal time out-of-pocket (or 'gap') fee applies as shown in the times and fees above. Medicare will refund the amount minus the Out of Pocket fee.

MyMedicare & Refunds for Phone or Video Appointments

If you're registered with MyMedicare at Kiama Downs Medical Practice

You can get Medicare refunds for all phone and video calls under 60 minutes.

Can I register?
You can register if you have had 2 or more face-to-face visits with any GP or nurse at Kiama Downs in the past 2 years, OR if your parent/guardian or child is already registered at Kiama Downs.

How to register?
Register for MyMedicare by clicking here now.

If you're not registered with MyMedicare at Kiama Downs

Medicare refunds depend on extra government rules if you are not registered with MyMedicare at Kiama Downs.

Phone calls (up to 15 minutes):
You can get a Medicare refund if you have seen a GP or nurse at Kiama Downs in person within the past 12 months, OR if the appointment is for a child under 12 months old.

Phone calls (up to 55 minutes):
You can get a Medicare refund if your call is about any of these topics:

• STI screening
• Fertility or pregnancy planning
• Contraception
• Sexual health
• Hepatitis B, C, or HIV
• If you have an eating disorder (only every 3 months)

Video calls (up to 55 minutes):
You can get a Medicare refund if:

• You have seen a GP/nurse here in person within the past 12 months
• OR the person for the appointment is under 12 months old
• OR your call is about: STI screening, fertility or pregnancy planning, contraception, sexual health, Hepatitis B/C/HIV, or eating disorders (only every 3 months)

The Extended Medicare Safety Net

Medicare covers 80% of gap fees for most GP, other specialist & other Medicare appointments after you reach the safety net for the remainder of the calendar year. At Kiama Downs, your gap fee for GP appointments will only be around $14 to $42 at most if you qualify for the safety net.

The safety net is $812 in gap fees in a calendar year ($2545 if no concession card). You can reach this amount faster by adding anyone who lives in your home like partners and/or children to your account (call 132 011 which is open 24 hours a day).

Missed Appointments

Notify us if you are unable to attend your appointment. Medicare does not pay your nurse or GP for their time if you do not attend. Full fees are issued for no-shows without 2 hours' notice, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Repeat Prescriptions and Referrals

Arrange these by clicking one of the options below:

1. GP Script Appointment (In person)
   • Phone & video GP appointments are also available if you are registered with MyMedicare by clicking here.
   • This is a full GP appointment where your GP can also check other issues like blood pressure, pathology tests, cancer screening, etc., if time permits.
   • The gap fee is $55 to $75.
2. Online Script or Referral Request
   • Click "Repeat Prescription" or "Repeat Referral".
   • The gap fee is $35.

Results of Pathology and Imaging Tests

During a consultation, you might be asked to arrange blood tests, X-rays, or other tests. Your doctor will provide a plan for what to do after these tests, which might include waiting for your condition to improve, returning to see your GP, or seeing a specialist.

Will I be given my result?
You should always receive a message from your GP:

• Asking you to return to discuss
• OR a message telling you "no action" (meaning continue to follow the plan your GP provided at your last appointment)

If you wish to see your results without an appointment, they are usually available on your My Health Record within 7–14 days of completing the test.

Normal test results do not necessarily mean there is no problem. If your problem persists, or if your doctor has asked you to return or see a specialist, ensure you seek attention.

Recalls and Reminders

Our practice routinely reminds the community about health services and appointments as suggested by your doctor. Ensure your contact details are correct. If you do not wish to participate, inform us to respect your privacy.

Management of Health Information

Your doctors invite you to participate in decisions about your care. You can involve family or carers. The practice uses telephone interpreters if English is not your first language.

The practice has a display system with the latest medical information and alerts.

To reduce the risk of mistaken identity, staff may ask for your name, address, and date of birth to protect you from medical errors and privacy breaches.

The practice often interacts with other health services on your behalf. Your information will not be released without your written authority unless you are critically unwell. Written or electronic files are not forwarded without your written authority.

Your medical record is confidential. The practice maintains the security of your personal health information, ensuring it is only available to authorized staff. Kiama Downs Medical Practice staff adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles. Patients can request access to their personal health information in line with the Privacy Principles. A copy of our privacy policy is available at reception.

Patient Feedback

Submit feedback on our Contact page. Occasionally, you may be invited to complete a confidential questionnaire about your views of the practice. If you are unhappy with any aspect of care, let us know in person, by phone, or online at the Contact page.

Discuss concerns with your reception team, nurse, or doctor. If unable to do so, an impartial authority for complaints is available.

To register a formal complaint with the Health Care Complaints Commission, call 02 9219 7444 or write to:
Health Care Complaints Commission
Locked Mail Bag 18
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Ph: 9219 7444

We welcome questions, feedback, or suggestions via our contact page.

After Hours GP Services in Kiama

For those in our region, the following phone contacts may be helpful:

For Non Urgent Free Advice

• Health Direct on 1800 022 222
• Youthline (02) 9633 3666
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

For Non Urgent Care in Business Hours

Call us on (02) 4237 7502 to make a booking from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

For Non Urgent Care After Hours

Please call Health Direct on 1800 022 222 for advice. If you are advised to seek non urgent after hours medical opinion please either:

• Call Radio Doctor on (02) 4228 5522 if you are North of the Minnamurra River Bridge
• OR Call Shellharbour Emergency Department for advice on (02) 4295 2524 if you are South of the Minnamurra River Bridge

For Urgent Concerns

• In emergency: 000 or attend the nearest emergency department
• Child Protection: 132 111
• NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
• NSW Poison’s Information Centre 131 126
• NSW Rape Crisis Centre 1800 424 017
• Victims Support Line 1800 633 063

This decision has been made by Independent GPs who work from the Practice in Kiama Downs as Independent Businesses.