Frequently Asked Questions
Do your doctors bulk bill?
No, but do offer discounted fees for local pensioners, Health Care card holders and children under 16.
Do you have a female doctor?
Yes — we have three female doctors at North Coast Medical Centre.
If I pay in full do I get any money back from Medicare?
Yes, a rebate is payable from Medicare and is deposited directly into your bank account within 24hrs.
If I am an overseas visitor do I have to pay more?
No, the standard charges apply to overseas visitors. NCMC provide receipts, which can be used to claim through their travel insurance
Where is the nearest medicare office if I want to claim myself?
The nearest Medicare offices are Ballina, Lismore & Tweed Heads. The is a Medicare app that you can us to make claims.
Where is the nearest Pharmacy/Chemist?
Priceline, sunrise (near IGA) and Chemist Outlet in Jonson Street.
Also the chemist in Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby, Ocean Shores and Lennox Heads.
Please explain where you are geographically
We are 6 doors down from the police station at 24 Shirley St, which is the main thoroughfare into town.
See us here on Google Maps
What is a combined consultation?
A combined consultation is when 2 practitioners (often a Doctor and a naturopath) consult together at the same time, in the same room with the patient. This integrative approach creates a thorough understanding of the individuals health needs and combines the comprehensive knowledge of the two modalities which can yield a safer and better outcome for the patient.
What is a General Practitioner?
General Practitoners are doctors who provide medical care to patients without a referral. They prevent and treat illness in patients and act as the ‘gate keepers’ of the medical profession by deciding when and to whom to refer for other services. Increasingly GPs are working with other health profesionals in teams. General Practioners provide a complete spectrum of care often involving physical, psychological and social factors in dealing with their patients. General Practitioners call on an extensive knowledge of medical conditions to be able to assess a problem and decide on the appropriate course of action. They know how and when to intervene, through treatment, prevention and education, to promote the health of their patients and families. General Practitioners are highly trained in their chosen field and are required to maintain and improve upon their knowledge and skill base through the Continuing Professional Development and Education Program to maintain their registration with the Medical Board.
Why see a GP at NCMC? Apart from being fully qualified professionals and caring human beings the GP’s at NCMC are going to great lengths to maintain their knowledge and keep up to date with the latest developments of their profession. In addition to this they are well versed with complementary therapies and in most cases can tailor your treatment according to individual needs.
What is an Osteopath?
An Osteopath uses a system of healthcare that treats musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction with hands-on techniques directed to the bones, muscles, joints and connective tissues to enhance the performance of your body’s circulatory, immune and nervous systems. Osteopaths are trained in exercise prescription, rehabilitation, and nutrition so as part of your treatment expect some advice on posture, exercise, and diet to help you prevent future problems. Osteopathic services are covered under private Health Funds. When referred through a GP, patients can receive rebates through workers compensation insurance and the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care programme.
Why see an Osteopath? Osteopathy has proven popular in helping musculoskeletal complaints such as back and neck pain, headaches, sports injuries and work-related sprains and strains.Aside from treating musculoskeletal problems, osteopathic treatment can help with chronic pain, pregnancy related problems, breathing disorders like asthma, digestive complaints, gynecological problems, lowered immune response after illness and general feelings of ill-health.
What is a Naturopath?
A Naturopath is a holistic health professional who considers you from a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental perspective then creates a workable health plan, using diet and lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, aromatherapy and flower essences to support and accelerate your own natural healing.
A Naturopath aims to treat the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms alone. They focus on health and wellness by improving body system function and identifying and removing obstacles to healing which allow the body to return to homeostasis.
Why see a Naturopath? You would visit a Naturopath when you are acutely or chronically unwell, to sty well and prevent disease or to support natural healing. It is ideal to include a Naturopath in your health care team when the underlying cause of illness is uncertain, when you are sensitive to drugs or experiencing side effects from them, or just in general if you are seeking a greater level of health. Patients may seek naturopathic support when chronic conditions or patterns of repeating illness fail to respond to orthodox medicine.
Because Naturopathy treats the cause of the condition, not just the symptoms, it can be applied to almost any health condition. A primary focus is not only on treating existing conditions but in maintaining health and preventing disease.
Cardiovascular Health – high cholesterol, high blood pressure
Blood Glucose Dysregulation – insulin resistance, pre-diabetes
Children’s Health Care
Detoxification Programmes
Digestive Complaints – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), bloating, constipation, food intolerances, diarrhoea, heartburn
Fatigue
Female Reproductive Conditions – menstrual problems, menopause, endometriosis, heavy bleeding, cycle irregularity
Genitourinary Complaints – urinary tract infections, thrush
Immune Disorders – cold & flu, recurrent infections, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, glandular fever
Men’s Health & Prostate Conditions
Musculoskeletal Complaints – arthritis, fibromyalgia
Nervous System Conditions – anxiety, mild to moderate depression, insomnia, headaches and migraines
Preconception and Pregnancy Health Care – including fertility charting
Respiratory Conditions – cold & flu, asthma, hay fever, sinusitis
Skin Disorders – eczema, psoriasis, acne
Stress
Wellness & Disease Prevention
What to expect from a consultation? The initial visit is a one hour consultation where a thorough case history is taken. This includes an exploration of current and past health conditions, as well as diet, lifestyle, stress and environmental factors.
A physical examination may be conducted using naturopathic analysis such as tongue and nail analysis. You may also be referred for clinical or laboratory tests.
A treatment plan is designed using dietary recommendations and lifestyle modifications (exercise, sleep and relaxation practices). Herbal and nutritional supplements may also be prescribed. You are encouraged to be an active participant in the process and information will be given for you to manage and better understand your health condition.
Follow up consultations are usually 30 minutes. This includes a review of current treatment and continued education and support.
What is a Psychologist?
A psychologist is a clinician with post graduate training who specialises in mental health and psychological issues. Psychologists have to be registered with their state licensing board and have a strict code of professional conduct. Psychologists have to continue their professional development throughout their career in order to maintain their registration. Psychologists tend to specialise in targeted interventions for specific issues such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders and any psychological issues that interfere with the quality of a persons life. Generally psychologists do short to medium term interventions focussing on present difficulties.
Why see a Psychologist? One would consult a psychologist for specific issues such as feeling depressed, being anxious, wanting to deal with issues in your relationship, wanting to change some aspect of your behaviour. When you want greater understanding of your self, what drives your behaviour, look at and understand patterns in your life which you keep repeating and which are not useful then you would choose to see a psychotherapist. If you know that past experiences in your life underlie a lot of your responses, thinking, ways of relating to the world and you want to understand why, then psychotherapy is the preferred model of treatment. Psychotherapy requires a financial and time commitment over a long period of time.
A well qualified Psychotherapist has had three or more years training and has been through therapy to understand the process first hand. In their training they present their clients to supervisors to show the quality of their work.
Why see a Psychotherapist? Psychotherapists deal with disorders of the self as well as personality and relationship issues. Psychotherapists work with the past and how it effects the person in the present. Psychotherapists tend to work with long term interventions and the emphasis is the relationship with the therapist. Terms such as the unconscious, transference, dreamwork and so on are common terms in psychotherapy and are indicative of a therapy that goes to the core of the person and works with depth rather than behaviour change.