Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
 

Hi 2 all

One of my friends recently has encountered some mental issues. It is the first time He is going to see a doctor in Australia. He doesn't know how to do that and neither do I to guide him!

Any Gold Coast resident has similar experience?

P.S. He is a Permanent Resident (He has Medicare Card) of Australia.

Will it cost him very much?

Thanks

Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
 

He needs to see a GP for a referral to a psychiatrist (if the GP deems it necessary). There may or may not be a fee for seeing the GP depending on whether they bulk bill. If he does have to pay it would usually be around $60-$70 of which $33 is refundable from Medicare. He will almost certainly have to pay to see the psychiatrist if he doesn't want to wait 12 months or more for a public clinic. Private psychs are not cheap.

Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
 

Thnx for your reply.

Apparently he can not afford the psychiatrist if the visit fee is expensive. He decides to go to a public clinic although he knows he have to wait.

1- What is the A-Z of process of visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic?

2- How much will visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic cost him? ( with his medicare card )

Cheers:)

Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
 

He may not need to see a psychiatrist - there are other alternatives which may be a way into the system. If he has depression for example then his GP may recommend (free) sessions with a psychologist. The local mental health team which usually comprises psych nurses, social workers, psychologists may be able to support him at least in the short term and they would be free. Alternatively, if he has a crisis (suicidal etc) then there will be a mental health crisis intervention team in your area. If all that fails and he just needs someone to talk to about his issues then Lifeline is always a good starting point 13 11 14.

However, general rule of thumb is start with your GP and they will refer to appropriate agencies.

Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
 

The process is the same for public or private. He needs to see a GP first who will refer him to the appropriate specialist for his condition. As Quoll says, it may be a few sessions with a clinical psychologist or it may be that the GP can prescribe him antidepressants if that is what he needs. He could also be referred to the public psychiatry clinic at the local hospital which would be free, but there is usually a long wait for public specialist clinics.

Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
 

You will probably pay between $200 and $250 for a 40 min consultation of which it would depend on your safety net level how much of that you get back.

I think at safety net level it would be about 80% back so $50 ie 20% of $250 would be your net outlay. Sorry your friends net outlay.

Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
 

If he needs to see a psychiatrist urgently (ie he's in crisis) he can attend an ED at the local general hospital and have a psych assessment. Most major hospitals have psych nurses and psychiatrists attached to the ED.