Appointments
What appointment length do I need?
| Appointment options | Time allocated | Issues | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 0-15 mins | 1 | prescription/s, sick certificate, repeat referral, results, new single issue |
| Double | 30 mins | 1-2 | more than 1 of the examples given under single, mental health (including plans), CST, driving forms, new pregnancy, sexual health, post-natal review |
| Triple | 45 mins | please discuss with your doctor if you feel you need a longer appointment | |
| Extended | 60 mins |
Appointments
Consultations at Crafter Health are by appointment only.
A standard appointment is 15 minutes. If you have multiple concerns, require a more complex consultation, or think you may need extra time, please book a double appointment (30 minutes). This allows your doctor sufficient time to address your concerns and helps minimise delays for other patients.
Appointments can be booked online through the Crafter Health website or via the HotDoc app, or by calling our friendly reception team. Both face-to-face and eligible telehealth appointments can be booked online.
If your concern is urgent, please let our reception team know when making your appointment so we can ensure you are seen as promptly as possible.
While we do our best to keep to schedule, unexpected medical emergencies can occasionally cause delays. We appreciate your patience and understanding. If you are concerned about waiting times, please feel free to contact the clinic before your appointment to check whether your doctor is running on time.
Crafter Health does not offer walk-in appointments. Patients who present to the clinic with an urgent medical concern will be assessed and triaged by a nurse or doctor to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Booking reminders
To help you keep track of your appointments, Crafter Health sends SMS reminders for all pre-booked appointments.
You will receive a text message approximately 24 hours before your scheduled appointment, giving you the opportunity to confirm, cancel or reschedule if you are unable to attend.
If you prefer not to receive SMS appointment reminders, you can opt out via the link in the message, call the clinic, or let one of our reception team know at your next visit.
Cancellation of appointments
Please remember if you no longer need your appointment to ring and cancel at least four hours prior so that someone else who is unwell can get in to see a Doctor. If an appointment is not cancelled, a fee will be charged.
Urgent Care Appointments
Owing to demand the fluctuating nature of bookings, we understand that occasionally patients cannot be fitted in if the practice is fully booked. However, we recognise that patients may be unwell and require same-day care, and so we have created an urgent care appointment where one of our doctors will be able to accommodate you. The cost will be an out of pocket fee of $150 plus Medicare which must be paid on the day.
Please note that this protocol is specifically for patients who are unwell and need immediate medical attention when no regular appointments are available. It does not impact our usual same-day appointments, which are held to assist patients needing to see a doctor on the day.
Interpreter and other communication services
When booking, please let us know if you require an interpreter or other communication service. Crafter Health provides for the communication needs of patients who are not proficient in the language of our clinical team, or for those who have communication support needs.
We have a list of contact details for interpreters and other communication services including the Translating and Interpreter Service. Please ask our reception team or see the following websites for further information: www.tisnational.gov.au or www.auslanservices.com
House calls/home visits
Home visits are available to regular patients who live within a 2 km radius of the clinic and are too ill to attend the surgery. To arrange a home visit please ring first thing in the morning to book your regular Doctor so they can organise their day. We are unable to guarantee when the Doctor will visit.
After hours medical service
After hours consultations are for regular patients and urgent matters only. This service is provided by an after hours locum service who are able to offer home visits. The National Home Doctor Service covers Crafter Health from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am, Monday to Friday and Saturday 12:00 noon to Monday 8:00 am.
Access to this service is via our telephone number – (08) 8272 5533.
Other services that may be able to assist you:
- Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
- Emergency Departments of your local public hospital
- COVID Hotline: 1800 020 080
For all urgent medical attention, please call 000.