Policies
We are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality, personalised care, as a result your consultation fees can vary based on several factors. Our friendly reception and admin team will advise you of the consultation fee over the phone when booking and confirming your appointment. We will also send you the details of fees in your confirmation email.
Bulk-billed testing
Our testing services are completely bulk billed if you are covered by Medicare and within the eligibility period for the test. Our team will advise you of your eligibility before your appointment.
The only exception is the Ambulatory Blood Pressure monitor tests, these are only partially rebated and incur a small out of pocket cost.
Specialist Consultation Fees
We are a privately billing practice for cardiology and specialist consultations. Appointments will not be bulk billed upon request. Fees may vary depending on the type of consultation. Our team will advise you of the fees when booking and confirming your appointment.
Pension card holders will be eligible for discounted specialist consultations.
Payment is required at the time of your appointment.
Our reception staff will make your Medicare claim at the time of payment and refund will be sent to you after it has been processed by Medicare. Any out-of-pocket fees must be paid at the time of appointment.
Unable to make your appointment.
Appointments that are cancelled or not attended 24 hours before the appointment will incur a cancellation fee of $100. This fee must be paid before the appointment is rescheduled.
Cancellation Policy
Please familiarise yourself with our cancellation policy before booking an appointment.
At Access, we pride ourselves to provide our patients with the best services and high-quality care. Therefore, each appointment not cancelled at an appropriate time means a loss of appointment to our patients who could have booked in at that given time. By introducing this cancellation policy, we hope patients will consider cancelling their appointments so that others may access them if required.
Due to the high demand for bulk billing testing appointments and an increased number of non- attendances and cancellations for testing appointments, we will be introducing the following fees. These fees will apply to appointments that are not attended or not cancelled 24 hours before the appointment time.
At Access, we reserve the right to charge a non-attendance and cancellation fee of $100.00.
If an appointment is missed, a non-attendance and cancellation fee will be generated to be paid before your next appointment. If a third appointment is missed or not cancelled appropriately, an account will be generated, and you will be informed of possible suspension to services in our clinics until all invoices are paid.
After two attempts of non-attendance, Access will notify your General Practitioner or referring doctor of this non-compliance of attendance. You will be discharged from our services and require a new referral for an appointment.
Procedure
Our practice has systems in place to track and, if necessary, follow up on patients who cancelled or did not attend a scheduled appointment (DNA).
Cancellations and missed appointments need to be marked accordingly in the practice software. The receptionist needs to follow up with a phone patient for a welfare check and advise them of our DNA policy and re-book if required.
All attempts to contact patients that have cancelled or DNA must also be documented in the practice software.
The responsibilities of the practitioner and our practice reflect the recognition that the practitioner-patient relationship is a special one based on trust. It is characterised by the practitioner having special knowledge and skills that the patient generally does not have.
We record all cancelled and DNA appointments in the appointment diary in our practice.
If a patient arrives 10 minutes later than the scheduled time, they could be marked as DNA and reschedule their appointment, depending on time constraints. We always first try and rearrange if possible.
The receptionist running the clinic must attempt to contact the patients that are late or DNA on the day and leave notes on the booking stating the attempts made.
If the patient is uncontactable, this should be well documented on the booking notes of the missed appointment. The patient should be emailed after the missed appointment and advised to call back to rebook.
After two missed appointments, the GP should be notified with a fax or letter and a phone call to inform them of the patient’s failure to attend. Notify the General Practitioner that we cannot make further appointments, and we hand the continuity of care back to them.
It is up to the GP to confirm the necessity of the appointment with the patient.
If a patient cancels within 24 hours of a scheduled appointment, the booking must be marked as a ‘no-show’. If the patient wants to re-book the appointment, the original must be left and still marked as a ‘no-show’ with any new appointments re-created. The initial appointment must not be moved to ensure a patient track record.
Privacy Policy
Current as of: 23/03/2026
Meeting your privacy obligations
This Privacy Policy explains how Access Cardiology collects, uses, stores, and shares your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
Our aim is to provide clear information about how your data is handled and when it may be shared to support your healthcare.
1.Who can I contact about this policy?
For any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:
Practice Manager
Access Cardiology
Phone: (08) 9389 8658
2.When and why is your consent necessary?
When you register as a patient of Access Cardiology, you provide consent for our healthcare professionals and staff to access and use your personal information to deliver healthcare services and manage our practice.
Access to your information is limited to authorised team members who require it for your care or for lawful administrative purposes.
If we need to use your information for any purpose not outlined in this policy, we will seek your additional consent.
By receiving care from Access Cardiology, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.
3.Why do we collect, use, store, and share your personal information?
We collect and manage your personal information primarily to:
- Provide safe and effective healthcare services
- Maintain accurate clinical records
- Communicate with other healthcare providers involved in your care
- Manage billing, payments, and administration
- Support quality improvement, accreditation, and staff training
4.What personal information is collected?
We may collect the following information:
- Name, date of birth, address, and contact details
- Medical history, medications, allergies, immunisations, and risk factors
- Referral letters, investigation results, and clinical notes
- Medicare number and healthcare identifiers
- Health fund or billing information
5.How is personal information collected?
We may collect your information in several ways, including:
- During patient registration and appointments
- Through telephone, email, SMS, website, or online booking systems
- From referring doctors, hospitals, allied health providers, Medicare, health funds, or guardians
- Through digital health services such as electronic prescribing or My Health Record (where applicable)
Security footage from CCTV on practice premises may also be collected for safety and security purposes.
Clinical photographs or medical images may be taken where relevant to your care and handled in accordance with privacy obligations.
We always comply with privacy requirements when collecting information from third parties, including obtaining consent where required and ensuring secure handling.
6.When, why, and with whom do we share your personal information?
We may disclose relevant personal information to authorised third-party service providers who assist in the preparation of clinical correspondence, such as secure medical transcription or typing services located within Australia. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality, privacy, and data‑security obligations and may only use the information for the purpose of preparing clinical documents.
We may share your information:
- With healthcare professionals or organisations involved in your treatment
- With service providers supporting our systems or accreditation processes
- Where required or authorised by law (e.g., subpoenas or mandatory reporting)
- To prevent a serious threat to life, health, or public safety
- For confidential dispute resolution or legal claims
We do not disclose your personal information overseas without your consent unless permitted by law.
Only authorised persons who need the information for healthcare or legal purposes can access it.
7.Will your information be used for marketing purposes?
We do not use your personal information for direct marketing without your express consent.
8.How is your information used to improve services?
We may use your information to:
- Review and improve clinical quality and patient safety
- Support staff education and training
- Contribute de-identified data to research or population health initiatives
You may request that your de-identified data is not included in such activities.
The practice may use secure Australian‑based medical transcription or typing services to prepare clinical reports from clinician dictation. Only the minimum necessary information is shared for this purpose, and all transcription providers operate under confidentiality agreements and Australian privacy law requirements.
9.How are document automation technologies used?
We use secure clinical software to generate documents such as referrals, prescriptions, and reports using information already contained in your medical record.
Access to these systems is restricted through individual logins and security controls.
All records are managed in accordance with recognised healthcare privacy and security standards.
10.How is your personal information stored and protected?
Your information may be stored in:
- Secure electronic medical record systems
- Paper records in controlled-access environments
- Medical images, audio, or video records where clinically required
We protect information through:
- Password-protected systems and access controls
- Secure physical storage
- Confidentiality obligations for staff and contractors
- Privacy-compliant handling of CCTV recordings (excluding consulting rooms)
11.How can you access and correct your personal information?
You may request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting our practice in writing.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may charge a reasonable administrative fee for providing copies of records (not for the request itself).
We will take reasonable steps to correct inaccurate or outdated information.
12.How can you lodge a privacy complaint?
If you have concerns about privacy, please contact:
Practice Manager – Access Cardiology
Practice Manager: Nermine
Phone: (08) 9389 8658
We will investigate and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
If you are not satisfied, you may contact the
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992
13.How is privacy on the website maintained?
Any personal information provided through our website, email, social media, or online booking systems is handled securely and confidentially.
Our website may use cookies or analytics to improve user experience.
14.Policy review
This Privacy Policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with legal requirements.
Updates will be published on our website, and significant changes may be communicated directly to patients.
Testing information policy
Appointment Timeliness: We strive to keep our cardiac testing schedule on time, which depends on patients arriving punctually and at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment, even if you have completed paperwork previously or online. This ensures that your test starts on time. Please note: If you run late, we may need to reschedule your appointment or move it to a later time (if we are able to do so). We advise allowing extra time for traffic and parking, especially if this is your first visit. It’s always better to arrive early.
Cancellation Policy: A no-show fee of $100 will apply if you do not attend your appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice. This fee also applies if we need to reschedule your appointment due to late arrival.
Testing Room Policy: Patients ONLY permitted in the testing rooms. We ask for your understanding as we aim for minimum distraction and best outcome while doing the test. In special circumstances such as a language barrier or when physical assistance is needed, one family member or carer may accompany you. Once assistance has been provided, we may ask the carer to wait in the waiting room until the test is complete. CHILDREN: Please arrange childcare or someone to accompany you to look after your children in the waiting room while you have your test. We do not allow children in the testing rooms.
Cardiac Testing Procedures: Some procedures may require you to remove clothing from your upper , including undergarments. A gown will be provided, and it should be worn with the opening at the front. ECG electrodes and an ultrasound transducer will be placed on your chest, focusing on key areas.
Female Sonographer Availability: Female sonographers may not always be available on the day of your test. If you specifically require a female sonographer, please arrange this at the time of booking. Note that some locations may not have a regular female sonographer and you may need to travel further than your nearest location. If you would like a chaperone, Access Cardiology can provide one, but this must be requested at the time of booking your appointment.
Additional Information: If you would like more information about the cardiac test you are scheduled for, please visit our website or click on the following link: Cardiac Testing