Ferny Fair Medical Centre

For any urgent cases, the doctors recommend you call 000 or if you are prepared to pay a fee attend the emergency rooms at Brisbane Northside Emergency (07) 3326 3320.

T: (07) 3351 4455
F: (07) 3351 7694

Email: [email protected] (please allow 48 hours for a response).

Ferny Fair Shopping Plaza                  Dr David Ellis
170 Patricks Road                                  Dr Conrad Yoong
Ferny Hills, 4055                                   Dr Susan Woods

If you need to discuss a matter with our doctors, please leave a message with the reception staff and your doctor will return your call during the lunch break between 1pm – 2pm or after hours.

The surgery prefers to be contacted by telephone.  Please note email requests may take up to 48 business hours to receive a reply and medical information can not be sent via email and must be collected from the surgery.

On occasion the practice may need to contact you regarding preventive health checks or non-urgent.  You may be contacted by phone, mail, email or SMS, unless you advise us otherwise.

Telehealth – What you need to know

The COVID-19 public health crisis fundamentally changed the way general practices provide primary health care overnight. With the increased number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Australian Government announced on 30th March 2020 that it would extend telehealth services to all patients. Telehealth is now an on-going service available when booking an appointment with your doctor.  Important Information: It is a Medicare requirement that you have been seen at the practice to qualify for a Medicare rebate on your telephone consult. If you haven’t been in the last 12 months you will not receive a rebate from Medicare and a full fee of $77.00 will apply.

But what is telehealth, and how does it affect you? We’re glad you asked!

We’ve put together a brief FAQ to help answer your questions. If you’d like any further information or clarification, please feel free to call your clinic.

What is telehealth?

A telehealth appointment is essentially the same as a regular face-to-face appointment with your GP but is over the telephone.

To arrange a telehealth appointment, simply book online or call the clinic as you would normally. At the time of your appointment, your GP will call you on the phone number you provided during the booking process – simple!

All you need is your telephone and a quiet place to talk.

On the phone call, your GP will first confirm your identity. They will then ask you questions about your symptoms (if you have any), and possibly some other questions so they can assess potential diagnoses as they won’t be able to see you.

Who can have a telehealth appointment?

Every Australian with a Medicare card can now access telehealth!

If needed, can I get a prescription via a telehealth appointment?

Yes, your GP can still issue a script if needed via a telehealth appointment. This will be sent to your pharmacy or can be collected from your clinic. Some clinics may now offer an E-Script service, meaning your script can be sent directly to you by secure SMS.

What if I need to see my doctor face-to-face?

If your GP has spoken with you and decides they need to see you, they’ll either arrange an appointment for you to come into the clinic or may recommend a video call.

Should my telehealth appointment be with my regular GP?

Yes. It is very important to have a regular GP who you can see over an extended period. There are many reasons for this, including:

  • A GP who knows you and your local area – Having a regular GP allows for more open and comfortable communication as it builds trust and understanding. Where possible, your GP should also know what services are available in your local area (e.g. specialists, physiotherapists, dieticians, etc.) so that you can be well supported when needed.
  • Management of chronic conditions – Your GP is the best person to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and asthma. To manage the ongoing care of these chronic diseases, a Care Plan may be advised, which is best completed by your GP.
  • Advice on preventative health – preventative measures are important to a person’s overall health, such as immunisations, early detection of cancers, PAP smears and breast checks, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or osteoporosis, checking blood pressure or cholesterol.
  • Continuity of care – Your GP is responsible for referring you to other healthcare professionals, including medical specialists or Allied Health professionals. They all work together to ensure you receive the best possible care.

If you don’t already have a regular GP at our clinic, we hope you’ll consider our practice as your new home for your health care.

Is it still safe to visit my GP at the clinic?

Yes – it is still safe to attend your GP clinic.

The health and safety of our patients, doctors, and staff are paramount. As such, we’ve taken extra precautions to ensure everyone attending our clinic is protected from potential exposure to COVID-19, including:

  • Screening of all phone calls and online bookings to reduce the risk of a person who has COVID-19 attending the clinic;
  • Separate waiting areas to isolate unwell patients;
  • Social distancing measures such as spreading chairs apart and asking people to remain 1.5m from the reception desk;
  • Removal of magazines and toys from the waiting room; and
  • The regular cleaning and sanitisation of surfaces in between patients, including chairs and tables.

The introduction of telehealth is a convenient way to access a consult with your doctor and is another measure aimed at reducing the number of people in clinics for patients with respiratory symptoms.