Medical centres across the Gold Coast are implementing repeat script and referrals service online

Medical centres across the Gold Coast are launching online booking options that will save patients time and money. Here’s what you need to know first.

The rise of online GP consultations is saving patients money and time, while easing congestion in an under-pressure medical system.

Medical centres across the Gold Coast are implementing repeat script and referrals service options online, freeing up face-to-face availability in the process.

Broadbeach Medical Centre and Gold Coast Women’s Health practice manager Lauren Agius said, for regular patients who only needed a script, the consultation and travel involved with a traditional appointment was often time wasted.

“With patients having to come all the way here or doing a phone consult for a repeat script we found it was a service that was needed,” Ms Agius said.

She said the concept was proving successful in action.

Dr Derek Ngieng and Practice Manager Lauren Agius. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“There’s quite a lot of our regulars who require quite a few medications who use the service regularly,” she said.

“It’s a lot easier for patients who are really busy and tech savvy enough to be able to send their details through, but the process is simple enough.”

At Ms Agius’ clinic, the online option costs $20 out of pocket as opposed to a standard consultation fee of $95.

With doctor appointment shortages across many parts of the Gold Coast, she said the feature “definitely lessens the impact”.

“We’ve got some doctors here who are only part time and you’ve got patients who’ve been seeing them for many years, but they can’t get in for weeks on end,” she said.

“We’ve seen the demand on appointments has scaled back, because it frees up our doctors to do more of the examinations or consultations that they need to do face-to-face, whereas a simple repeat of prescription could be done using that method most times.

“If it’s not something they can do online, or they do need to see the patient, there’s no charge for the request.”

Dr Derek Ngieng. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Dr Derek Ngieng, who also works at Broadbeach Medical Centre and Gold Coast Women’s Health, said while the service was a good add on it didn’t always replace the need to see patients.

“Often if you haven’t seen a patient for a while, or there’s been some changes on things that need to be monitored, I do get them to come back in for review,” he said.

“But by and large the majority of requests can be delivered under the repeat script option.”

Originally published as Medical centres across the Gold Coast are implementing repeat script and referrals service online