Frequently Asked Questions

To book an appointment call our reception on 4779 5077. TSMP is a private billing practice. The first consultation is generally 30 minutes to allow the doctor to get to know you – carefully reviewing your medical history, address your health needs and ensure a plan for comprehensive ongoing care. Before seeing the doctor you will generally be seen by one of our nurses for an initial assessment.  

If you can please organise a transfer of your records from your previous practice prior to attending your first consult. You will also receive a text prompt asking some questions about your medical history – please fill the information in as completely as possible. This will ensure the GP can be as prepared as possible at your appointment. 

Your doctor will advise when they expect pathology and radiology results to arrive at the practice. You will generally be notified by SMS. You should contact the practice if you have not received a message. If the doctor feels it is best to talk to you in person they will ask for you to return to see them. Our receptionists can’t explain results to you.  

If you need to speak to your doctor directly you can book an appointment face-to-face or have a telephone consultation. If you need to send information to the doctor you can do so by emailing our reception at admin@tsmp.net and they will ensure the information is in your file in time for your appointment. The doctors will not be able to converse via email or text.  

Please call reception on 4779 5077 to book your child’s vaccinations. We do not allow online bookings for this so that we can confirm the child’s age at time of vaccination which is important. Childhood vaccines often include a check of growth and developmental milestones.  

Please see our Travel Clinic FAQs for more detailed information.

We are able to organise an interpreter by phone who can speak in your language to translate between you and your doctor. We use TIS National for this service.  Interpreters are also available if required via the National Relay Service (NRS) or Auslan Services.  

You require a referral from your GP before seeing a specialist in order to obtain your maximum Medicare rebate. If you require a referral you will need to make an appointment with your doctor either face-to-face or telephone consultation.  

Referrals are generally valid for a period of 12 months (but they can be made indefinite). Please make sure you have a current referral prior to your appointment as it is an offense for a doctor to ‘back date’ a referral.  

Referrals do not need to be ‘named’, a referral made by your GP can be utilised by any doctor of that specialty.

Yes, doctors can provide telephone appointments if you are unwell or unable to attend the practice. You must have attended the practice face-to-face within the last 12 months to receive a Medicare rebate for your consultation. Telephone fees are the same as standard appointments.  

All requests for forms, reports or medical certificate completion require a consultation with the doctor. There will be a private fee for this work, and depending on the request, you may also be eligible for a Medicare rebate. 

Some doctors may be able to provide home visits in certain circumstances. Phoning to discuss this as early as possible will assist your doctor with making a decision about how best to see you.  

After our practice closes there are a number of options available: 

1. If it is an emergency – Call 000  

2. Hello Home Doctor  6pm – 8am Ph: 134 100 

3. Health Direct GP Helpline 24/7 Ph: 1800 022 222 

4. Mater Hospital Emergency 7am – 10pm Ph: 4727 4000 

5. Townsville University Hospital Emergency Department 

MyMedicare is a new voluntary registration model introduced by the Australian Government, which aims to formalise the relationship between patients, their general practice, GP and primary care team. Initially this will mean higher bulk-billing rebates to your doctor for longer appointments and continuing wrap-around care via our Chronic Condition Management program. You can register yourself via the Medicare Express app on your phone, or our staff will ask you for your written consent in the practice.  

The doctors and staff strive to provide you with the best possible medical service. If you would like to offer some feedback to improve our service or have a complain, please let us know in writing. You do not have to leave your name. We have a feedback box located in reception or you can email your feedback to manager@tsmp.net Alternatively complaints can be sent to The Office of the Health Ombudsman website www.oho.qld.gov.au 

If you are transferring practices, it is best to sign a request for records at your new practice and have them send that to us. We can then forward either a Health Summary (no cost) or a full record can be sent (a $30 fee applies). Our preference is to send records electronically via .xml file, but PDF can be facilitated also. We prefer not give out printed records if possible. If you are requesting the records for yourself, you must request the records in writing to us to admin@tsmp.net. Your record must be transferred to you securely. This can be by email, but you would need to consent to this less secure option.