FAQs

We request all patients and visitors help us make our Practice a safe place for everyone by agreeing to the following standards.

We are open:

Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:00pm.

Saturdays from 9:00am to 12 noon.

Northside Clinic is closed weekdays after 6:00pm; Saturday after 12 noon; all day Sunday and on Public Holidays.

If you wish to become a new patient of the clinic, please speak to our friendly staff who will be able to advise you of our current availability. Due to the high demand of new patients on the clinic, we currently operate a category system for new patients.

Category A: Prompt appointments as soon as possible are made for:

• Children (under the age of 16) and partners of existing patients.
• People living with HIV who have recently moved to Victoria and do not have a doctor managing their HIV.
• People in need of HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
• Members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
• People requiring acute STI management, those requiring sexual health care, or those with a referral from another doctor.

* If you fit the eligibility criteria above, contact our friendly reception team who will need to qualify your eligibility. If approved, you will be required to go through the triage process at our clinic.

Category B: Next available appointments are made for:

• Members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
• People requiring acute STI management, those requiring sexual health care, or those with a referral from another doctor.
• Partners and children of existing patients.
• People living in Fitzroy North (proof of residency will be required).

Unfortunately, we can only offer appointments to new patients in category A at this time.

You can cancel your appointment with the GP without any charge up to 2 hours before your appointment time.

Late cancellation within 2 hours of the appointment time may incur a fee, as it is unlikely that we can fill that appointment space.

Failure to attend your appointment may also incur a fee.

Please note appointment cancellations with psychologists require 24 hours notice to avoid incurring a fee.

If you require a repeat prescription, a referral to a specialist or pathology test results please let our reception team know.

Doctors providing prescriptions, referrals to specialists or pathology test results are responsible ethically and legally to ensure these are correct and warranted. Therefore, a consultation with a doctor may be necessary.

Referrals

Referrals for treatment by specialists may incur additional charges. Referrals may incur an administrative fee when posted or picked up at reception.

Repeat Prescriptions

Replacement scripts may incur an administrative fee when posted or picked up at reception.

Test Results

Medical Information

If you require a copy of medical information from your GP, please be aware that it can take up to 3 working days for the doctor to complete your request. Charges may apply.

Doctors can be contacted during business hours by calling reception. If the doctor is in a consultation at the time, the receptionist will take a message on your behalf and the doctor will contact you as soon as possible. If your call is of an urgent nature, please let the receptionist know so they can mark your message as urgent.

Access to After Hours Healthcare

In an emergency situation please contact 000 and request assistance or the nearest hospital is St Vincent’s Hospital. The Emergency Department can be contacted on 9288 4360. The Emergency Department is located at 41 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy 3065.

Locum Service

‘National Home Doctor Service’ can be contacted on 13 7425 for any out of hours medical services.

Weeknights from 6:00pm to 8:00am.

Weekends from 12 noon Saturday, all day Sunday and Public Holidays.

Please discuss fees and payment options when booking services as they may differ from Northside Clinic fees.

For more information visit, https://homedoctor.com.au/.

Home Visits

Home visits are available by prior arrangement for regular patients who reside in close proximity, and whose condition prevents them from attending the clinic. Our reception staff can provide you with further information regarding fees, billing and home visit services.

We bulk bill patients with a current Aged or Disability Pension card. You will need to present a valid card at the time of your appointment.

We privately bill all other patients with a concessional rate available for Health Care Card Holders and other Pension cards including JobSeeker, Carer Payment, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment.

Please be aware we do not bulk bill on Saturdays.

Northside Clinic is located at 370 St. George’s Rd, Fitzroy North.
The nearest major corner is St. George’s Rd and Holden Street.

Public Transport

If you are coming in on public transport:

By Tram
Tram #11 (Stop 24 or 25), just north of Holden Street.

By Bus
Holden Street is serviced by Bus 250 and Bus 251.

By Train
Northside Clinic is a few minutes walk from Merri Train Station on the Mernda line.

The flu vaccination is normally available from mid to late March.

The composition of the vaccine changes every year, so it is advised to have the vaccine annually.

A free flu vaccine is available for the following people:

• Children aged 6months up to 5 years
• Anyone aged 65 and over
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from 6 months
• Pregnant women – at any stage of pregnancy
• Anyone 5 – 65 years with one of the following medical conditions:
  • Cardiac disease
  • Chronic Respiratory Conditions
  • Chronic Neurological Conditions
  • Immunocompromising Conditions
  • Diabetes and other metabolic disorders
  • Renal disease
  • Haematological Disorders
  • Children aged 6 months to 10 years who are on long term aspirin therapy

*consultation may be billed to the patient.

For more information visit Better Health Channel.

If you would like to access Medicare rebates for psychological services you will need a referral from a GP. You can also see a psychologist without a referral, as a private patient.

Yes.

All immunisations require a prescription from a doctor. Once prescribed the practice nurse may administer.

Northside Clinic participates in many clinical trials related to the treatment and management of HIV. If you are interested in participating please ask to speak to our clinical trials nurses or discuss the matter with your treating doctor.

Northside Clinic maintains a confidential database for reminding and recalling patients for follow up treatments, immunisations, cervical screening tests, and other preventable healthcare issues. Patients who do not wish to be included on the database should advise their doctor. Whilst we make every effort to send reminder messages, it is still the responsibility of the patient to return for further visits if your doctor has indicated that this is necessary.

Registered patients of the clinic will receive SMS reminders of their appointments. This is sent out the day before the appointment. Please respond to the message to indicate your confirmation of attendance. Unconfirmed appointments may be cancelled. If you do not wish to receive reminder SMS messages for appointments, please advise the reception staff.

Records will be kept of your visits and treatment. Your medical record is a confidential document. The contents will be divulged only with your consent or where justified by law. You are entitled to see or correct your patient records at any stage. We comply with the Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001 including the way we store, use and disclose health information.

We conduct regular, confidential patient surveys regarding service provision at Northside Clinic. We value patient feedback and use the information provided to enhance our services and meet your expectations.

If you have concerns regarding any aspect of our services, please do not hesitate to speak to your doctor or the practice manager.

If you are not happy with our response to your concerns you may contact The Health Services Commissioner 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic 3000. Phone 03 8601 5200 or toll free on 1800 136 066.