Frequently Asked Questions

Both practices are taking new patients. Please note that new patients will need to book a 'new patient appointment' which is 30 minutes. You can book an appointment via our website or directly in the HotDoc app on your phone.

Routine services and appointments are available across both practice sites. Some specialised services however, may only be available at Bowral Street (e.g. Lactation Consultant). 

To see which services and doctors will best suit your medical needs, please refer to Our Team and Doctors.

Standard appointment - 15 minutes 
Long appointment - 30 minutes

All patients will need an appointment to see a doctor or nurse as we do not take walk ins. In the case of an urgent walk in or on the day appointment, patients will be triaged by a doctor or our highly experienced nursing team. You can make an appointment here on our website or by downloading the HotDoc app. 

Yes, Moss Vale is a teaching practice. Teaching new generations of doctors and nurses is a strong tradition within our practice and will continue for years to come. 

Bowral Street 
Monday to Friday: 8.00am – 6.00pm (by appointment)
Saturday: 9.00am – 12.00pm
Sunday: Closed – refer after hours clinic. 

Moss Vale
Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 5.00pm (by appointment)
Saturday: 8.30am – 11.00am
Sunday: Closed – refer after hours clinic. 

Saturday morning clinics are provided for patients who require acute or urgent medical attention rather than for routine or complex, ongoing health issues that could be seen during the week. These consultations cannot be booked by appointment and patients will be seen in order of arrival.

Highlands General Practice participates in a collaborative roster with other local doctors to provide after hours care.

WHERE: The Highlands GP After Hours GP Service, 21 St Jude Street, Bowral

WHEN: Saturday 3pm – 5pm, Sunday and Public Holidays 9am – 12pm & 3pm-5pm. At other times a doctor is available by telephone 4861 6433.

Kids can become ill quite suddenly and it is our policy to see kids who are unwell as a priority. We also understand being stuck at the doctors for kids isn’t much fun so if you need some help while you are waiting please ask reception staff if they can provide colouring equipment or additional toys for children.

Breast feeding is encouraged in all areas of the practice but if you would prefer to do so in private please ask for help. Bottles can be heated if necessary. Baby changing facilities are provided and are located in the rest room near reception. Kids are able to attend their parent’s appointment.

Bulk Billing

Children under 12 are bulk billed otherwise we are a privately billing practice.

Private Fees

Fees are payable on the day of consultation by cash, cheque, EFTPOS, MasterCard or Visa card. Patients experiencing genuine financial hardship should talk to their doctor - no patient will be turned away due for financial reasons.

Consultation Fees

Standard Consultation (MBS item 23) $100.85 (Medicare Rebate $42.85)
Long Consultation (MBS item 36) $182.00 (Medicare rebate $82.90)

We understand cancellations are sometimes necessary due to unexpected events. If you are unable to keep your appointment please remember to ring and cancel asap. Please note a fee may be charged to patients who do not attend appointments or cancel at short notice on multiple occasions.

We have a wheelchair available at both receptions for patients who are unable to walk from the car. Please ask our Reception team if you require assistance.

There are designated parking spaces close to the entrances of both practices reserved for holders of disabled parking permits.

Home visits are available and are designed for patients of the practice experiencing acute illness or disability (and generally for patients within a 10km radius of the practice). Please contact the practice and discuss with our nursing team to assess urgency and appropriateness of a home visit.

Please note, doctors do not carry S8 drugs to attend home visits and there are occasions when it is more appropriate for patients to make transport arrangements to attend the practice where a comprehensive range of equipment and facilities are available.

In the case of an emergency call 000.

Doctors in the practice may be contacted during normal surgery hours. If the doctor is with a patient, a message will be taken and the reception staff will give you a time frame for a return call. Your call will always be put through to the GP in an emergency. Your doctor may consider a consultation more appropriate than a telephone call, in which case an appointment will be arranged for you.

• Referrals are required for specialist and some other appointments.
• You will not receive a Medicare rebate if you do not have a referral to see a specialist.
• An appointment with your GP will be required to obtain an initial referral. An appointment with your GP will also be required for most subsequent referrals.
• Patients are reminded to make sure they leave adequate time to see their GP to obtain the referral before their specialist appointment (ideally at least 3 working days beforehand) as Doctors can not back date referrals.
• Please note there are out of pocket expenses associated with most specialist appointments and you are advised to contact the specialist prior to your appointment to confirm fees and billing arrangements.
• There are circumstances where a GP may issue a repeat referral without an appointment. Notice of at least 3 working days is required and a fee will be charged
• Doctors will not back date specialist referrals.

• Initial prescriptions will not be issued without an appointment to see your GP and authority prescriptions will always require a consultation.
• Medical history, allergies, past treatments, etc must all be reviewed and for these reasons a consultation is required.
• Only in unusual circumstances will a repeat prescription be issued without an appointment and a fee will be charged.
• Although many patients are on long term medication it is important for your GP to review and monitor your condition to ensure the medication and dose are still appropriate and there are no other health issues that may impact on your medication.
• Ideally notice of at least 3 working days should be provided for the issuing of repeat prescriptions.

• Pathology results and results of other investigations are reviewed throughout the day by doctors and nursing team.
• Pathology and radiology reports are generally received within 24 – 48 hours. Results are predominantly received electronically and are reviewed by doctors during the course of the day (often at the end of morning and afternoon sessions).
• Please call the practice for your results between 1.30pm - 2.30pm and 4.30pm - 5.30pm.
• Once results have been checked by your Doctor, our nursing staff (and Reception Staff where appropriate) will be able to provide you instructions as per this table, or as otherwise instructed by your Doctor.
• If you have any further questions an appointment with your doctor will be necessary.

• Preventive care is an important part of managing your health care.
• Highlands GP has a reminder system in place to let you know when you are due/overdue for a follow-up appointment - this may be via a letter, phone call or secure messaging system.
• In some instances we may contact you to offer preventive health services appropriate to your care.
• If you do not wish to be part of this system please let our Reception team know.

General Practice is required to meet a range of legislative and accreditation standards which are routinely assessed. More specifically, Highlands General Practice is accredited every three (3) years by GPA (to RACGP Standards) to ensure our facilities, policies and procedures meet required standards. This includes reviewing and assessing a wide range of activities including professional registration and development requirements, IT security, infection control, privacy, training accreditation and quality improvement.