Helpie FAQ

The easiest way to organise an appointment is to call the rooms on (03) 9428 1000 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively you can use the online appointment request form.

Yes, you will need a referral from your GP or current doctor. This is partly to ensure you receive a Medicare rebate for specialist services, and also so that an accurate medical history is provided. Referrals cannot be backdated and are required prior to the appointment.

• A referral from your GP (if not already provided)
• Any relevant investigation results (such as blood tests, Xrays etc)
• A list of your current medications and any drug allergies
• Your medicare card and insurance details

Once your appointment is booked, you will be provided with a patient registration form to fill out with basic details. This also contains details of financial consent prior to your appointment.

At the first appointment, you should expect a 30-40 minute consultation with James where he will go through your history, examination and previous investigations. James usually likes to assess your test results prior to the appointment in order to be prepared. This is important to allow a thorough and complete assessment.

After a physical examination, James will explain his plan to further assess and/or manage your symptoms. Following the visit, he will write a letter to your referring doctor and relevant specialists summarising the consultation and plan. You may request a copy of this letter if you prefer. Follow-up letters are usually sent after any follow-up consultation or to convey important test results to your treating clinicians.

There are different fees depending on the type of consultation (initial vs follow-up), length of consultation, and whether you are a Health Care Card holder. Full financial consent and fees will be explained at the time of appointment booking. The fee usually involves a Medicare rebate (payable by the government) as well as an extra out of pocket expense.