FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your services covered by private health fund?

Some of the services available at Next Practice may be covered by your private health fund. In order to have the most accurate information on whether you will receive a rebate or not please contact your private health fund provider to find out your level of cover.

How can I make an appointment?

You do not need a referral letter to attend a Next Practice medical centre. All appointments can be easily booked online on our website. If you need help booking an appointment please contact a friendly Patient Advocate by phone.

What is MyMedicare?

MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model. It aims to strengthen and formalise the relationship between patients, the medical services clinic, general practitioner (GP) and primary care teams. Evidence shows that seeing the same GP and healthcare team regularly leads to better health outcomes for patients.

You can formally register with the medical services clinic or register with your preferred GP from 1 October 2023.

Learn more about how to register on our MyMedicare at Next Practice page. Or you can contact the Patient Advocates at the clinic directly for more information.

How can I reschedule or cancel an appointment?

If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please notify the centre at least one business day prior to the appointment. Thank you.

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How can I share a compliment or complaint?

We strive to provide the best possible service and we always want to know how you feel so please email or phone us via the contact details available on our website. Alternatively you can talk to your doctor or one of our Patient Advocates in the clinic.

We take your concern, suggestions and complaints seriously. If you wish to discuss the matter outside of the clinic you can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission:

E: hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au

T: 1800 043 159

M: PO Box K549
Haymarket NSW 1240

What if I need after-hours care?

If you require medical advice outside our normal clinic hours, please contact 13 SICK (137 425) or go to www.homedoctor.com.au

Do I need a referral to book an appointment?

Patients do not require a referral to book an appointment, unless you are seeing a Psychologist. However, if you would like to book an appointment under the WSIH Care program then you will need a referral from your GP or Oncologist. Please visit our Cancer support services page for more information.

Do you accept new patients?

Yes, we accept new patients and are delighted you have chosen to receive your care at Next Practice. When booking a new patient consultation at Next Practice Sydney CBD, please ensure that you arrive 20 minutes prior to your initial consultation to fill in the new patient form and get yourself acquainted with the clinic.

To give you the best care possible, the practitioners at this location take time to understand your medical history, key health information and measurements such as height, weight and blood pressure. On your arrival, you will be greeted by one of our Patient Advocates who will ask you to complete our new patient form using an iPad. Don't worry the technology is easy and if you need help with it your Patient Advocate will be pleased to assist.

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What if I need an interpreter service?

If you, or a family member, need an interpreter for your appointment, please let the Patient Advocates know at the time of making your appointment.

How will I receive test results?

You will be given any test results by your regular doctor, unless agreed otherwise. Please note that they will need to be viewed by a doctor prior to releasing. You will also be able to see your result on the Next Practice App.

How can I request a repeat or refill prescription?

For most repeat prescriptions you will need to make an appointment to see your regular doctor to discuss your needs. By making an appointment for prescriptions, your doctor is better able to care for you. The GPs at this location are also able to offer Telehealth consultations. These are useful and popular for follow up appointments.You can also request a script refill for regular medication through your Next Practice Patient App (available on Apple and Android store).

How will I receive my appointment confirmation and reminders?

When you make a booking you will receive a confirmation email at the time of booking. You will also receive a reminder for your appointment five days prior to your appointment, and again 24 hours prior to your appointment.

How do I receive a bill or make a payment?

The billing policy is simple and clear. The GPs endeavour to be transparent and affordable whilst providing a high quality service. Please refer to the fees page on our website for more details. The doctors here accept payment by credit and debit card through an EFTPOS terminal for Visa and Mastercard cards. They do not take cash payments and no cash is held on premises.

What if I am seriously unwell?

In the event of a medical emergency, please call 000 or attend your nearest hospital.

What services do the doctors and healthcare professionals provide?

The healthcare professionals at Next Practice Sydney CBD can offer a multitude of services and treat a number of health concerns as well as provide preventative health advice.

The range of services they provide are:

Men's and Women's Health
Sexual health
HIV/PrEP
Chronic disease management
Other conditions such as Diabetes, Osteoarthritis, Asthma
Work cover issues/injury
Immunisations
Children's health
Weight loss
Mental health and wellbeing
Health assessments including 45-49 Year Old Health Assessments and 75+ health assessments
Dermatology and skin checks
Allergy checks
Procedures including:
Treatment room minor ops such as skin lesion biopsy or removal, lumps and bumps removal, ingrown toenail resection
Dressing and wound management
Cryotherapy
Ear syringing
Onsite pathology
Onsite psychologist

If you have any questions on the services, our friendly Patient Advocates will be available to support you through the process.

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How do integrative medical practitioners approach healthcare?

Integrative medicine combines the best of both conventional and evidence based complementary medicine for a truly holistic approach to your health. With a focus on addressing the causes of illness and the impact of lifestyle on well being, the integrative medical practitioners at Next Practice Sydney CBD work with the individual to develop a personalised program that may include lifestyle recommendations involving sleep, diet modification and stress management, nutrient and herbal supplements to help you be the best you can be.

Where can I park if I'm driving?

There are numerous public car parks in the CBD of Sydney. Wilson Parking is located on 220 George Street as well as 37 Pitt Street.

What is the best way to contact the clinic?

There are two main ways to contact Next Practice Sydney, via phone or email. If you are experiencing an emergency please contact '000' immediately.

For general enquiries, email is the most efficient way to communicate with us. Our email address is sydney@nextpracticehealth.com and we will respond to all emails within 1 business day.

Our phone lines operate during opening hours. If our Patient Advocates are busy attending to other calls, or if you’ve phoned after-hours, you will hear a message with clinic information and then have the option to leave a voicemail. We will respond to your message within 1 business day. Our phone number is (02) 8311 3580.

If you are contacting us about creating, changing or cancelling an appointment, please note that you cannot book or alter appointments via email. For your convenience you can make appointments via the website or using the Next Practice patient app at any time, or by phoning the clinic. If you need to alter an appointment please call our Patient Advocates on (02) 8311 3580.

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What is a new patient consultation?

A new patient consult is part of your induction at the clinic and assists in integrating you as a patient of Next Practice Sydney CBD. This is an integral part of our patient care, which takes time to learn about your case history and understand your health journey. We support empowering practitioners to help you find a deeper understanding of the root causes of your health concerns.

During the consult, you will need to complete the Onboarding Questionnaire. A Patient Advocate will help you to complete the detailed form, as well as discuss your personal health goals and show you around the clinic. Your body measurements may also be taken including blood pressure, heart rate, body mass indices and waist-hip measurements. The Patient Advocate will help you set up your own Next Practice Patient App and supply you with any relevant initial educational materials.

This Onboarding Session is an opportunity to get to know your Patient Advocate who will be there to support you on your health journey and future appointments, as well as supply us with any existing pathology tests, lists of current medications and/or supplements. It gives us the chance to answer any of your initial questions, ensure that our philosophy is right for you and helps us set you up for success on your health journey with our team.

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What should I do if I'm experiencing flu like symptoms or have tested positive for Covid?

If you are experiencing flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or respiratory symptoms, regardless of recent travel, it is important to protect yourself and others and avoid public places.

To assist with the demand as well as keep the staff and patients safe, we are now offering pre-screening video and phone consults with the practitioners at this location.

Patients eligible for COVID-19 telehealth can receive bulk billed phone or video consults*
Patients not eligible for COVID-19 telehealth can receive phone or video consults privately billed

If you would still like to see a doctor in person, and have the above symptoms then please call us directly and ensure you have spoken to a member of staff prior to presenting for your appointment.

*T&Cs:

T & Cs: Bulk bill for phone or video consultations only apply to those who meet the COVID-19 telehealth eligibility. Otherwise, any telehealth appointment (video or phone consultations) will need to be privately billed with no Medicare rebate.

The COVID19 telehealth eligibility includes those where at least one of the following apply:

(a) the person has been diagnosed with COVID-19 virus but who is not a patient of a hospital; or

(b) the person has been required to isolate themselves in quarantine in accordance with home isolation guidance issued by Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC); or

(i) at least 70 years old; or

(ii) at least 50 years old and is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; or

(iii) is pregnant; or

(iv) is a parent of a child under 12 months; or

(v) is already under treatment for chronic health conditions or is immune compromised;

OR the person meets the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection:

a) One of:

(i) International travel in the 14 days before onset of the illness, or

(ii) any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in 14 days before illness onset;

b) AND

(i) Fever or acute respiratory infection ( e.g. shortness of breath, sore throat or cough)

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