Which practice should I book at?

I consult at Key Largo Medical Centre, Clarkson and St John Joondalup, Edgewater. You can book general GP care at either, subject to availability. The adult ADHD clinic runs at St John Joondalup only. Your medical record is held by the practice where you are seen, so if you attend both, each holds the notes for its own consultations.

Are you taking new patients?

Yes. New patients are welcome at both practices, subject to availability. If you have a complex history or several things to discuss, book a long appointment for your first visit.

How do I know whether to book a standard or long appointment?

Book a standard appointment for one straightforward issue — a single problem, a review of something known, a results discussion, or a routine medication review. Book a long appointment for several concerns, a new or complex problem, mental health, chronic disease planning, a new work or motor vehicle injury, detailed forms or reports, or anything needing a thorough examination.

If you are not sure, book the longer one. It is easier to finish early than to send you away half-dealt-with.

Can I bring up more than one problem in a single appointment?

Yes, as long as the problems aren’t too complex. Where there isn't time to deal with everything safely, I will prioritise the most urgent concern and ask you to book a follow-up for the rest. This isn't a brush-off — it's to avoid making rushed decisions about things that deserve proper attention.

Do you offer telephone appointments?

Telephone consultations are available in some circumstances for existing patients where it is clinically appropriate. Some problems need an examination and cannot be safely managed by phone. Medicare eligibility rules also affect whether a rebate applies to a telephone consultation.

What happens if I miss an appointment?

Please give the practice as much notice as you can if you can't attend — the slot can usually be offered to someone else. A fee will apply to missed appointments and late cancellations, and missed-appointment fees cannot be claimed from Medicare.

Do you bulk bill?

Bulk billing is available in designated appointment slots rather than on request. Full details are on the Appointments & Fees page.

Why isn't everything covered by Medicare?

Medicare covers medical care provided for your own clinical benefit. It generally does not cover services requested by an employer, insurer or other third party.

Private fees usually apply to:

• pre-employment and commercial driving medicals

• insurance examinations and reports

• fitness-for-duty and return-to-work assessments

• most detailed forms and reports

• workers compensation and motor vehicle claims before liability is accepted

• missed appointments

Ask about the likely fee before booking paperwork or an assessment requested by another organisation.

Will I know what something costs before I agree to it?

Yes. You will be told the fee before any significant non-urgent private work is done. The final fee can differ from what was expected if the consultation runs longer or a different service turns out to be needed.

Can I get a prescription or referral without an appointment?

Some straightforward requests can go through HotDoc Quick Consult — selected repeat prescriptions, simple medical certificates, and renewal of an existing specialist referral.

Approval is not automatic. A regular appointment will be needed where:

• the request concerns a new or changing problem

• the medication requires monitoring

• the treatment hasn't been reviewed recently

• the referral needs a current clinical picture

• the request can't be completed safely from the record

A referral is a medico-legal document. Old specialist letters on file don't give me a current picture of your health, so a referral sometimes requires a consultation even when it feels like paperwork.

Why can't a Quick Consult cover everything?

Quick Consults are not suitable for new or worsening symptoms, urgent concerns, controlled-drug requests, complex forms, Centrelink documentation, fitness-for-work clearance, or anything needing an examination.

How will I get my results?

Results are reviewed and actioned according to their clinical significance. Depending on the result you may be contacted by the practice, sent a message, asked to book an appointment, or given the result at a planned follow-up. Please don't assume that no news means normal. Book the follow-up you were advised to book at the time of testing, and make sure the practice has your current phone number.

Can I email you a medical question?

Please don't. Email and website messages are not monitored continuously and are not a safe way to raise anything clinical or urgent. Book an appointment or phone the practice instead. For urgent help call 000; for mental health crisis support, Lifeline 13 11 14.

Where are my records kept?

In the clinical software of the practice where you were seen — Key Largo Medical Centre for Key Largo consultations, St John Joondalup for St John consultations, including ADHD clinic appointments.‍ I do not keep a separate copy of your clinical record.

How do I get a copy of my record, or correct something in it?

Contact the practice where you were seen. They hold the record and their staff can process the request directly — going through me only adds a step.

Key Largo Medical Centre — (08) 6401 7444

St John Joondalup — (08) 9400 7000

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Can my records move between the two practices?

Yes, with your consent, where it's needed for your care. It is called a transfer of records.

Who else sees my information?

The usual recipients for any GP consultation: your usual GP, other treating practitioners, pathology and imaging providers, Medicare or DVA for benefit claims, and — for injury claims — your employer and insurer, limited to the consent recorded on the claim form.

Prescriptions for Schedule 8 medicines, including ADHD stimulants, are recorded in ScriptCheckWA as required by WA law and are visible to other authorised prescribers and pharmacists involved in your care.

Full detail is in the Privacy & AI page.

Do you use AI during consultations?

I use Heidi, an AI documentation assistant, to help produce consultation notes. It transcribes the consultation and generates a draft note.

Do I have to agree to it?

No. I ask before using it, and you can decline at any time without any effect on your care. Just say so at the start of the consultation.

Is the consultation recorded?

Audio is not retained as part of your medical record. A transcript is processed to produce the draft note, and the session is deleted once the final note has been reviewed and saved to the practice record.

Who is responsible for what ends up in my notes?

I am. Heidi produces a draft; I review and correct it before it goes into your record. It does not make clinical decisions.

Do you see workers compensation patients?

‍Yes, at both practices. Book a long appointment for a new work injury and say when booking that it's a new workers compensation injury.

‍Certificates, fees, what to bring and the common questions are covered on the WorkCover & MVA page.

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Do I need a referral?

‍No. Book directly at either practice.

Reception at either practice can help with booking, appointment length and administrative questions. They cannot give clinical advice — if your question is about your health, it needs an appointment.

Key Largo Medical Centre — (08) 6401 7444

St John Joondalup — (08) 9400 7000