Have you got a cold, cough or flu?
We have new arrangements in place to help you, and to prevent the spread of germs in the community.
Please phone us 02 66280505 before coming to the surgery.
We have updated information on Coronavirus here.
Flu vaccination will be available in May and more information is here.
Phone
(02) 66280505
Results (02) 6628 0950
Book Online
Fax
Privacy
Hours
9.00am – 11.00am Saturday
‘On call’ other hours
Express Clinic
8.30am – 9.15am at the Annexe
5.00pm – 5.45pm at the Clinic
Address
Information
Our Services
Health and Wellness
Routine check ups, screening, improved lifestyle and fitness
Chronic Disease
Systematic management of long term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease and osteoarthritis
Urgent Care
Our acute care service caters for any illness or injury in our regular patients requiring on-the-day care
Elderly health
Support for elderly patients including visits to residential aged care and help with accessing my aged care
Mother and Baby
Shared antenatal care and newborn health checks
Home Visits
24 Hr On Call with home visits available when required in our area for regular patients
Children's Health
Immunisations, check ups, illness and behavioural issues in kids
Skin cancer surgery
Skin cancer checks and surgery for skin lesions
Sports Medicine
Injuries, exercises, fitness and rehabilitation
Workplace Health
Management of workplace injuries and Workcover claims of all types
On Call
24hr phone advice and after hours consultations in surgery or at home if required for urgent conditions
Travel Medicine
Advice and immunisations for people travelling overseas. We are a regsitered Yellow Fever Vaccination centre.
Women's Health
Contraception, conception, antenatal shared care, and menopausal symptoms
Men's Health
Supporting optimal men’s health though every age
Mental Health
Richer and more meaningful lives for people struggling with thoughts and feelings
Dietetics
We have a dietician on our team who can assist with weight loss, food intolerances, allergies, and eating for health
Urgent Care and After Hours Care
One of our doctors is always ‘on-call’ and available to patients of the clinic 24 hours a day for urgent medical attention or advice.
If you call the clinic outside of normal hours, a recorded message will contain the after hours number of the on-call doctor. Sometimes it can be helpful just to get advice from someone you know. If you or your family member need to be seen, the doctor may open up the clinic and consult with you there, or visit you at home.
In medical emergencies the ambulance should be called on 000 immediately, before also calling the on-call doctor.
If for some reason the on-call doctor cannot be reached and urgent care is required, the nearest accident and emergency centre is at Lismore Base Hospital or Ballina District Hospital.
The charge for after hours visit is available below.
Our Alstonville Clinic Team
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Dr Tony Lembke GPTony has been a partner GP at the Alstonville Clinic since 1993. His alternative calling was as a magician. He was the Sydney University Medical Society Donkey Kong Champion in 1983, and RACGP GP of the Year in 2012. He has two sons and two daughters. As a long time rugby coach for Lismore City he only managed to beat Wollongbar one one occasion! That was a day of celebration.
Dr Jimmy Chiu GPDr Jimmy Chiu was born in Hong Kong, and moved to Australia to become a boarder at Toowoomba Grammar School when he was 13. He obtained his medical degree through the University of Qld and has been a GP at Alstonville Clinic since 1985. He has brought joy to many through his involvement with local Jazz band 'Acid Bleed', and his favourite colour is red. At the 'Pearly Gates', Jimmy says he will request to go round again one more time!
Dr Luke Hogan GPLuke has been a partner at Alstonville Clinic since 2015. He also enjoys teaching junior doctors who are going through GP training. He grew up on the north coast and loves living back here again with his wife and tribe of five mischievous children. He is often spotted running with his double running pram and spends many a late night planting vegetables by head-torch. Two of the things on his bucket list include planting a rainforest on his 10 acres that can rival Dr Leslie's, and to finally complete his A.Mus in Piano which he has been saying he will complete since he was 17!
Dr Vicki Liu GPDr Vicki Liu has enjoyed life in the Northern Rivers since 2009, after completing her B. Medical Science (Honours) at Sydney University and then a Graduate Medical degree (MBBS) at University of QLD. She completed her Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Lismore Base Hospital and has been part of the team at Alstonville Clinic since 2001. She enjoys all aspects of General Practice and is certified to insert the Implanon and Mirena. In her 'spare' time she usually ends up chasing her escapee cows around the locality, and juggles work with looking after three kids, with the occasional spot of hockey, hiking, and playing musical instruments.
Dr Michael Leslie GPI have worked at the Alstonville Clinic since 1986. Alstonville has been a fabulous place for Pat and I to bring up our children. I have had the privilege to work with many wonderful people during this time providing care in a very supportive team based environment. The patients make the job however. I have a number of fourth generation patients whose great grandparents I looked after and this reflects the comprehensive care our team provides and the trust put in us by the Alstonville community. Outside of work Pat and I keep fit walking, cycling, gym-ing and extending our rainforest.
Dr Alison Skimmings GPAlison has cared for the community of Alstonville for more than 20 years. When not here, you will probably find her at the Ballina Hockey Club, where she is a life member and 'the pride of hockey'. She gets to play sport with her three daughters!
Dr Joshua Kingston GPJosh came to Alstonville Clinic in 2014 as a GP Registrar and has been with the Clinic ever since passing his Fellowship examination (with flying colours). When not at the clinic, you'll have trouble keeping up with Josh, on his bike or chasing his young son Silas.
Dr Mike Davis GPMike relocated to the area to join Alstonville Clinic at the beginning of 2016. The sea change has agreed with him and when not at work, Mike is often found enjoying all that the beautiful northern NSW region has to offer with his young family.
Dr Eliza Richards GPEliza trained as a registrar at the Alstonville Clinic and we are proud that she has gained all her qualifications as a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practice with flying colours. She can now spend more time with her mischievous son Noah
Dr Caitlin Witt GPCaitlin joined the Alstonville Clinic as a registrar in February 2018. She has a degree in Advertising, Film & Television production (QUT 2008) which was incredibly useless for her postgraduate degree in Medicine (Griffith University 2012). She quite likes medicine and might keep doing it for the next few decades.
Dr Anika StrahanDr Anika Strahan moved to Alstonville in 2018 with her husband and four young children. After attending university in Brisbane and then doing both hospital training and GP training in Sydney, she has eagerly decided to settle in this beautiful area. Outside of work, Anika enjoys spending time exploring the coastline with her family, watching and also playing sport with the kids and dabbling in farm life. Anika really loves all areas of general practice and especially working in the close knit Alstonville community.
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Janeen Morris Nursing ManagerJaneen leads the nursing team in the clinic. She has worked here since 1997. Find her bush walking with her family when she's not running the show.
Wren Casement Practice NurseWren brings her inuring experience to us from the UK via Lightening Ridge. Need an opal? or some macadamias?
Lyn Wade Practice NurseLyn is a north coast local, and is a senior member of our nursing team. Find her kayaking, or more likely spoiling her grandchildren.
Donna Gibson Care ManagerDonna is Care Manager at the Annexe, and a qualified diabetic educator. Donna supports our local community with diabetes management and team care planning, through support with lifestyle management and care coordination. Through her personal experience with autism and additional health needs within her own family, Donna has an excellent understanding of the care planning process.
Joni Mackenzie RNJoni brings extensive experience in community nursing to the Alstonville Clinic team. As well as a fantastic laugh!
Jenni Dolby Practice NurseJenni has been caring for the community of Alstonville in the clinic for many years - always with a smile and a laugh.Natasha Tutticci
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Helen Rankin Jarvie Practice ManagerHelen joined Alstonville Clinic in 2011, bringing with her a wealth of experience in administration and business management. She has a B.A (Psych) from UNSW, a Grad Dip in Business Management through SCU, and a keen interest in ergonomics and innovation, so is always looking for ways to improve our practice. When not at the Clinic, Helen is often found at the hockey turf - playing, coaching and umpiring.Reception Team The Front LineWelcome to the Alstonville Clinic! Our solutions focused reception team are the main liaison point between patients and our nurses, doctors and allied health providers. If you have a question, please ask one of our friendly reception staff for assistance. Accounts - Angela Marriott, Karan Tucker... Receptionists - Kerrilee Brown, Regan Vidler, Sue Bryant, Narelle Clark, Jodie Dardengo, Julie Spinks, Fiona Toghill.
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Donna Gibson Care ManagerDonna is Care Manager at the Annexe, and a qualified diabetic educator. Donna supports our local community with diabetes management and team care planning, through support with lifestyle management and care coordination. Through her personal experience with autism and additional health needs within her own family, Donna has an excellent understanding of the care planning process.
Carolyn Davis DietitianCarolyn is an Accredited Dietitian, with a special interest in weight loss, food allergies and intolerances (including coeliac disease), and diets for people with special needs, such as kidney disease, diabetes and cancer.
Making an appointment
For urgent or acute appointments, where you have an illness, injury or condition that needs to be seen today, ring 02 6628 0505 (24 hours)
To make a routine appointment, you can book online or call 02 6628 0505. Only a small number of appointments are held for online bookings, so if you can not find an appointment with the doctor of your choice at the time of your choice, please call!
Latest News
Flu Vaccinations
We recognise the importance of patients receiving a flu vaccine this year and supplies will arrive to us from the government over the next few weeks. If you have already booked in to our fluvax clinic, you may receive a call from us to come in earlier. If you have not already done so, please ring us to book in to our fluvax clinics that will take place in May.Done and dusted! The clinic went like clockwork. So glad we are attached to such an amazing practice! Thank you to all. 🙂
Every good idea
Thank you
Sarah Kemp
Need an update on the Coronavirus epidemic? Here’s Dr Lembke to answer some more of your questions
North Coast Primary Health Network
ℹ️ Dr Tony Lembke is back answering more questions about coronavirus (COVID-19). Ditch the myths with this sound, reliable information.
0:00 What’s the outlook like for coronavirus?
0:47 How is coronavirus spread?
1:02 What is social distancing?
1:33 What is ‘flattening the curve’?
2:01 Who is most at risk from coronavirus?
2:40 What can we do to protect those most vulnerable?
3:23 What is social isolation and how is it different from social distancing?
3:58 What does ‘close contact’ mean in relation to someone who has coronavirus?
4:46 I have to self-isolate. What does this mean?
5:34 How can I keep in contact with my doctor is I have to self-isolate?
5:57 How about my work and coronavirus?
6:41 What about mental health and coronavirus?
7:38 Should I be swabbed for coronavirus?
🏷️ #COVID19au #COVID19aus #covid19australia #coronavirusaus
👨⚕️👩🏻⚕️👨🏼⚕️👨🏽⚕️👨🏿⚕️👩🏿⚕️👨🏾⚕️👩🏽⚕️👩🏼⚕️👨🏻⚕️👩⚕️Deirdre Lorger Jones this is dad's doctor
Cathy Cohen
Carla Thomson John Thomson
We can all help to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect vulnerable groups. This link to the government’s national plan has the latest information and advice.
Australian Government Department of Health
A national plan has been activated to manage the virus and support our community.If you need to see a doctor but don't want to leave home, we have telehealth consults available for existing patients who fall into one of the following vulnerable groups:
(a) patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who are not in hospital
(b) patients who meets the current criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection. This criteria may change, but as at 19/3/2020 is currently anyone with a fever or acute respiratory symptoms AND:
- travelled overseas in the last 14 days; OR
- has been in DIRECT CONTACT with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
(c) patients considered more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus as they are:
- at least 70 years old;
- at least 50 years old and of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
- pregnant;
- a parent of a child under 12 months;
- already under treatment for chronic health conditions; or
- immunocompromised.
(d) patients who have returned from overseas after midnight on Sunday 16 March 2020 and must self isolate for 14 days.
If you don't meet one of these criteria and you still wish to have a telehealth consult, a non-Medicare rebateable fee will apply.
Please call our reception team on 6628 0505 and ask to arrange a telehealth consult. Our phones are quite busy at present, so we apologise for any delay in answering your call. We're doing the best we can with the resources we have.
Thanks for your understanding 🙂
The North Coast Primary Health Network are running a competition where you can win $250 just for washing your hands! Read the post below on more information on how to enter 🧼 🤚🏻
North Coast Primary Health Network
Win $250 just for washing your hands! Washing your hands for 20 seconds is a key defence in the spread of infections like coronavirus. But most of us don’t wash long enough.
The answer? Wash your hands while singing the chorus of your favourite song. #vocalsvsvirus
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
We’re giving away 4x $250 cash cards to get people washing their hands properly.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
It’s simple to enter.
Just record a 20-second video of yourself, a friend or family member washing their hands while singing their favourite song. Post your submission to your Facebook or Instagram feed using the hashtag: #vocalsvsvirus
Make sure the post is public and add the following text: “Stop the spread of viruses by washing your hands correctly… singing correctly is optional.”
Not only will you be truly making a difference by using good hygiene – singing is known to release endorphins, the feel-good brain chemical that makes you feel uplifted and happy. We could all use a bit of that right now.
Plus, you can enter more than once! Because you should be washing your hands as often as possible.
While production value is nice, we aren’t judging based on how fancy your camera or phone is. We’d much rather see how creative you can be with the challenge.
Every week we’ll be announcing winners via our Facebook page: North Coast Primary Health Network
Best-practice handwashing guide and Ts&Cs: ncphn.org.au/vocalsvsvirusSee more news on our Facebook page
Alstonville Clinic
Alstonville Clinic,
61 Main St
Alstonville
02 66280505
The Annexe
Your Medical Home
The Alstonville Clinic is accountable for the care of you and your family for all your health needs
Accessibile Care
All our patients with acute care needs can be seen by seen by one of our doctors each day.Routine appointments can also be scheduled with any of our doctors at any time in the future. Patients with long term and more complex conditions are managed proactively through our ‘Annexe’ chronic conditions stream.
For exisiting patients of our clinic, our ‘on call’ doctor is available 24 hours for urgent phone advice or consultation.
Person Centred Care
Our clinic focuses on the health needs of our patients. We understand that people and their families benefit from support to improve their ability to manage their own health wherever possible. We adopt a shared decision making approach.We have a Patient Advisory Group to inform us about areas where we can improve.
Comprehensive Care
Our team includes general practitioners with a comprehensive set of skills, registered nurses, chronic condition managers, and allied health..The clinic has served the Alstonville Community for more than fifty years, and many of our doctors have been here for more than twenty years.
Coordinated Care
We aim to ensure that all our patients can access the care team they need to best manage their health. The Clinic has strong partnerships with local specialists, physiotherapists, psychologists, exercise physiologist, podiatrists and other health providers.
Our doctors are Visiting Medical Officers at the Lismore Base Hospital and St Vincents Hospital.
For patients with more complex needs, our ‘care manager’ at the Annexe assists in coordinating their care.
Quality and Safety
Our clinic is committed to continuous quality improvement, and is nationally recognised as a leading practice.Our Patient Safety program acknowledges that their is always capacity to improve our care, and we endeavour to make our systems as safe as possible.
All our doctors participate in Professional Development Programs and are Fellows or Members or Registrars of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Our Fees
Fees are calculated using a standard ‘gap’ above the medicare rebate. The charge will be more for more procedures and longer appointments, but the out of pocket gap will be the same. For patients who have registered their banking details with medicare, we can arrange for the medicare rebate to be automatically transferred back into your account, usually overnight.
Some consultations, including specific care planning appointments at the Annexe, and children aged 5 years and under, are charged directly to medicare, and incur no gap.
If you are unsure, or have difficulties in meeting your bill, you should ask the receptionist or the doctor.
Standard
Bill is medicare rebate + 'gap' payment$42 gap- The full amount for your consultation is payable on the day of service. The standard out of pocket gap for consultations at the Alstonville Clinic is $42. The charge for a service therefore will be the rebate provided by Medicare plus an additional $42. The charge for a standard consultation is $79, of which $37 is available as a rebate from Medicare.
- Discounts are available for Health Care Card holders and people on a Commonwealth pension.
- Additional services, such as biopsies, ECGs or spirometry, will be charged as ‘Medicare rebate only’, so there is no additional gap payment.
Some services, such as elective and cosmetic procedures or infusions, may attract an additional, non-rebatable fee. Please check with reception when booking your appointment.
Children 5 years and under
Children are 'bulk billed'$0- Children aged 5 and under have no gap payment for all appointments in normal surgery hours.
- The full amount of the consultation will be directly billed from Medicare and no payment will be required on the day.
After hours consultations for children have the usual after hours gap fee.
After Hours
For exisiting patients only$80 gap- For existing patients of the clinic, a ‘doctor-on-call’ is available for urgent advice and consultation after normal surgery hours.
- After hours consultations are charged at the Medicare rebate plus an additional maximum $80 gap, so patients will be at most $80 out of pocket.
- An invoice for the total amount will be sent during normal business hours after the consultation. There is no need to pay on the day, and the rebate portion of the fee can be claimed back from Medicare before paying your account.
General Practice Australia
The Alstonville Clinic has the highest level accreditation with General Practice AustraliaNCPHN
The Alstonville Clinic participates in the North Coast Primary Health Network medical home program.APCC
The Alstonville Clinic was a founding participant in the Australian Primary Care CollaborativesACMH
Partner practice of The Australian Centre for the Medical Home
