The most common questions asked at Cannonvale Medical Centre
Our Team of professional doctors are here to listen first, treat second. We want you to feel comfortable speaking to our doctors about concerns you have. We don’t rush our patients, you’re not just another number. You’re a part of our community, and we are part of yours.
Billing Information
Our fees can be found HERE Please ensure to bring your Medicare Card on each appointment, Photo I.D is required upon the first initial visit. If you also have a pension or healthcare card please also bring these with you.
Cannonvale Medical Centre is a mixed-billing medical centre which means you will pay to see a doctor and Medicare will provide a rebate for you. Patients under 16, DVA & Concession Card Holders may be bulk-billed at doctors discretion.
Some services are not covered by Medicare (work-related accidents and injuries, cosmetics, commercial drivers license medical, superannuation forms etc) Payment is required in full at the time of appointment.
EFTPOS facilities are available.
How much does a consultation cost if I don’t hold a Medicare Card?
A standard consultation is $80 (Updated 1st July 2021.) Long consultation is $120 – EFTPOS facilities are available.
Do you offer home visits?
Yes. We understand that sometimes people are too sick to come into our surgery. Phone us during our business hours Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm, preferably in the morning, and we’ll arrange for one of our doctors to visit you at home *DOCTOR AVAILABILITY & FEES APPLIES*
Where are we located?
We are located in the heart of Airlie Beach within the Whitsunday Business Centre, opposite Commonwealth Bank. (see map)
Privacy Policy
Introduction
This privacy policy is to provide information to you on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within Cannonvale Medical Centre and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties.
Why and when your consent is necessary
When you register as a patient of our practice, you provide consent for our GPs and practice staff to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this.
Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information?
Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your health. We also use it for directly related business activities, such as financial claims and payments, practice audits and accreditation, and business processes (eg staff training).
What personal information do we collect?
The information we will collect about you includes your:
* names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
* medical information including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunisations, social history, family history and risk factors
* Medicare number (where available) for identification
* and claiming purposes
* healthcare identifiers
* health fund details
How do we collect your personal information?
Our practice may collect your personal information in several different ways:
When you make your first appointment our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information via your registration.
During the course of providing medical services, we may collect further personal information. Information can also be collected through electronic transfer of prescriptions (Etp), My Health Record, eg via Shared Health Summary, Event Summary. We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email or SMS, telephone us, make an online appointment or communicate with us using social media.
In some circumstances, personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from:
* your guardian or responsible person
* other involved healthcare providers, such as specialists, allied * health professionals, hospital, community health services and pathology and diagnostic imaging services
* your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary)
When, why and with whom do we share your personal information?
We sometimes share your personal information:
* with other healthcare providers
* when it is required or authorised by law (eg court subpoenas)
* when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent
* to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim for the purpose of a confidential dispute resolution process
* when there is a statutory requirement to share certain personal information (eg some disease require mandatory notification)
* during the course of providing medical services, through My Health Record via Shared Health Summary.
Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Other than in the course of providing medical services or as otherwise described in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent.
We will not share your personal information with anyone outside Australia (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent.
Our practice will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.
How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice?
Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing by using our ROI (request of information) form and our practice will respond within 30 days.
Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to the Practice Manager. Please call 07 4948 0041 for more details.
How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at our practice?
We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing.
Please contact:
Practice Manager
Cannonvale Medical Centre
PO BOX 707, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Email: manager@mhau.com.au
Email Policy
Introduction
This email policy aims to outline our approach to managing privacy and security in email communications at Southport Metro Medical Centre. This policy meets the RACGP 5th Edition standards guidelines, this policy addresses the increasing trend of electronic communication in the healthcare sector.
Given that health information is considered highly sensitive, the Privacy Act 1988 provides additional protection, emphasizing the need for secure handling. Health information, as defined by the Privacy Act, includes details about an individual’s health, expressed wishes for future health services, services provided or to be provided, and related personal information.
Rationale
Recognising the inherent sensitivity of health information, it is imperative to ensure that all communication, including electronic means, adequately safeguards patient privacy. Cannonvale Medical Centre takes reasonable steps to secure the communication of health information, and stakeholders should be mindful of the associated risks in using email within the healthcare environment.
Policy
Prior to the use or disclosure of any health information, Cannonvale Medical Centre considers its obligations under the Privacy Act. While the act doesn’t prescribe specific communication methods, the organization commits to taking reasonable steps to protect transmitted information and patient privacy. Failure to do so may breach Australian Privacy Principles, leading to potential action by the Australian Privacy Commissioner.
Email accounts may be monitored to prevent fraud, viruses, workplace harassment, or breaches of confidence. Inappropriate email use will be thoroughly investigated and may result in dismissal.
Email Configuration
Clinical information is communicated through the medical facility’s software, utilising a secure clinical messaging system, ensuring automatic record retention in the patient’s medical file.
Spam protection: Cannonvale Medical Centre employs a spam filtering program.
Encryption of patient information: Server-to-server encryption, such as SSL or TLS, is used.
General Protection
Adherence to practice policy is crucial when relying on information from email accounts. It is essential to avoid downloading or opening attachments from unknown senders, and the use of email for unauthorised purposes is prohibited.
Protection Against Spam
Responses to spam mail are discouraged, and attempts to unsubscribe from spam sites should be avoided. Confidential information should not be provided to unknown email senders.
Encryption of Patient Information
All email communications are treated as confidential, and best practices dictate using encryption when sending confidential patient information. Encrypted files should be scanned for viruses before opening.
Protection Against the Theft of Information
Confidential information should only be provided via email when the site displays a security lock and HTTPS in the web address. Email passwords should not be disclosed, and vigilance is necessary to avoid phishing scams.
Email Disclaimer
Outgoing emails from the practice include a disclaimer emphasizing the confidential nature of electronic communication. Recipients are urged to notify the sender if they receive emails in error.
Email Correspondence
Emails sent to the Cannonvale Medical Centre’s website/email address are retained in compliance with relevant legislation. Messages may be monitored for troubleshooting and maintenance purposes, and email addresses are not added to mailing lists unless requested or required by law.
Policy Review Statement
This privacy policy will undergo regular reviews to ensure alignment with any changes that may occur.
Feedback/Complaints
At Cannonvale Medical Centre we pride ourselves on exceptional care and feedback is vital for our continuous improvement. This can be done by emailing the Practice Manager at manager@mhau.com.au or completing our short survey – CLICK HERE
Alternatively, you can contact the Office of Health Ombudsman by calling 133 OHO ( 133 646)