Phone
(02) 66280505
Results (02) 6628 0950
Book Online
Fax
Privacy
Hours
8.30 am – 5.00pm Mon-Fri
9.00am – 11.00am Saturday
‘On call’ other hours
Express Clinic
For repeat prescriptions, please call between 8.30am and 9am.
See below for more details
Address
Information
The Clinic remains open for business
We are continuing to see our usual patients and new patients from postcode 2477 during this COVID 19 period. Please ring for an appointment. There are new arrangements regarding the waiting room and also new opportunities for Telehealth (telephone or video consultations).
Repeat Prescriptions and the Express Clinic
If you need a repeat prescription for a regular medication that we have previously prescribed, please ring the clinic on 02 66280505 between 8.30am and 9.00am. Please note that this repeat prescription service is not available for pain medication and sleeping tablets, and you must have been seen for a face to face consultation in the clinic in the last 12 months. If you are not eligible, or requires a pain medication or sleeping tablet, you will need a routine face to face appointment.
Do you need more information about COVID 19? Have you symptoms, a positive test or been a close contact?
View the information on our coronavirus page
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 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 2011. 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 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.Dr Tom LucenaAfter graduating from Alstonville High Tom bounced around the country to study and work. It took him over a decade to realise he was silly to leave and is now sensibly back with his equally silly wife. His favourite books are the Sherlock Holmes series and he can’t think of a better job than chatting to people all day and trying to untangle the mysteries of life and the human body. Tom’s splits his spare time evenly between surfing, drinking coffee, and repairing things his dog has broken.
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Janeen Morris Nursing ManagerJaneen leads the nursing team in the clinic. She has worked here since 2007. 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.
Joni Mackenzie RNJoni brings extensive experience in community nursing to the Alstonville Clinic team. As well as a fantastic 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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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!
Title Address Description Alstonville Clinic61 Main St, Alstonville NSW 2477, Australia Alstonville Clinic,
61 Main St
Alstonville
02 66280505
The Annexe4 The Avenue, Alstonville NSW 2477, Australia 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.
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$43 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 $43. The charge for a service therefore will be the rebate provided by Medicare plus an additional $43. The charge for a standard consultation is $82, of which $39.10 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, and insertion of a Mirena IUCD, 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
Hayfever season is well underway...
It's important to recognise the difference between allergies and being sick with viruses like Covid-19.
Visit www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker for advice on how best to manage your symptoms.
It is possible to get Covid-19 twice, just like other respiratory illnesses. If you have respiratory symptoms (e.g. fever, sore throat, cough, sore ear, cold & flu-like symptoms) and you want to see a doctor, let our reception team know so they can provide you with the most appropriate option available.
We may see you in our respiratory room at the Annexe building, or the doctor may call you first to talk through your symptoms.
Thanks for helping to keep our community safe. ... See MoreSee Less
healthdirect Symptom Checker
www.healthdirect.gov.au
Not feeling well? Use the healthdirect Symptom Checker to better understand your symptoms and get advice on when to seek medical attention.Comment on Facebook
The Clinic will be closed on Thursday 22nd September due to the public holiday to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II. If you require urgent medical care on this day, contact the on call doctor by calling 6628 5950.
In the case of a medical emergency, you should call 000 for an ambulance. ... See MoreSee Less
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Are you or one of your family members living with dementia?
Dementia Inclusive Ballina are holding the 'Forget Me Not' - Dementia update event and invite all interested community members to attend. Topics will include an update from Dr Rachel Jones (Aged Care specialist geriatrician), information on supports and services available, how to navigate the My Aged Care system and the importance of exercise, nutrition and good health.
When: on Thurs 22nd September from 9.30am - 2.00pm.
Where: Nightcap Restaurant, Wollongbar TAFE
Cost: Members - $20 Non-members - $25
(includes lunch and beverages)
Contact Sue Hetherington for more info on 0400 052 505 or register through the website:
dementiainclusiveballina.org.au/ ... See MoreSee Less
Home
dementiainclusiveballina.org.au
The home page for Dementia Inclusive Ballina Inc. Supporting dementia friendly communities.Comment on Facebook
UPDATE: 8pm - Mon 8 August. Emails are back up and running - it's business as usual!
The clinic email address is currently unavailable - if you have information to send to us please use the fax (02 6628 5627) or call us to discuss how best to convey the information.
We are in the process of rectifying this and will update this post once the issue has been resolved.
Thank you for your cooperation 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less
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Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home ... See MoreSee Less
Learn More
Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home
www.nsw.gov.au
If you test positive to COVID-19, find out your next steps and how you can look after your illness at home.Comment on Facebook
The Clinic will be closed on Monday 25 April, 2022 for the ANZAC Day public holiday.
We will be open on Saturday 23 April, between 9am - 11am, for existing patients who require acute medical care.
If you are a patient of the Clinic and require urgent medical attention out of hours, please call 6628 5950 to contact the doctor on call. ... See MoreSee Less
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Flu vaccines have arrived!
The following people are more at risk of complications from influenza and are eligible for annual influenza vaccination free under the National Immunisation Program:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months
and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years or over
. - individuals 5 years and over with specified medical risk conditions.
Flu vax clinics will be held on Wednesdays from 10.30am-12.30pm at the Uniting Church Hall, starting on Wednesday 20 April, 2022.
Book online at vax.alstonville.clinic or call 6628 0505.
Private flu vaccines are available for $20 each - our reception team can book your appointment with the nurse for these. ... See MoreSee Less
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***Need a repeat script?***
Our systems are changing due to changes in government requirements.
Existing patients who have seen one of our GPs in the last 12 months, should call us between 8.30am – 9.15am on weekdays on 6628 0505.
When you call, stay on the line and a Dr will speak with you during this time. We are no longer doing evening call backs for repeat scripts.
If you have not been seen by one of our GPs in the last 12 months, a fee may be charged, or you may be asked to make a routine appointment.
You will also need to see your GP if your script is for:
- sleeping tablets - strong pain killers
- benzodiazepines - narcotic medications
Please book a regular face-to-face appointment with your usual GP for these scripts. We are unable to issue these through the Express Clinic service.
Thank you for your understanding while we implement these changes. Later this year we will be introducing eScripts, which will make it easier again to manage your medication requirements. ... See MoreSee Less
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Urgent Flood Update - Wednesday 30 March 2022
Due to the latest extreme weather event affecting Alstonville, Ballina, Lismore and surrounds, the surgery will be closed today for routine appointments.
For urgent medical attention call the on -call doctor on
02 6628 0505.
All routine and Annexe appointments will be rescheduled.
Business as usual will resume tomorrow we hope! ... See MoreSee Less
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