Cardiology
Bulk billedCardiology
Bulk billedChest pain, palpitations, abnormal ECGs, heart failure and blood pressure that will not settle.
Book online →Referrals to the right specialist.
A referral is more than a piece of paper. It carries your history, your medicines and the specific question your GP wants answered, which is what makes the specialist appointment worth the wait.
Three ways to book: HotDoc · online · or by phone.
A referral that does its job.
Who you are sent to, and what they are told, changes how quickly you get an answer.
Medicare requires a GP referral before you can claim a rebate on most specialist consultations. Beyond the paperwork, a good referral summarises your history, lists your current medicines and allergies, includes relevant results, and states clearly what your GP is asking the specialist to assess.
Choosing where you go
For most conditions there is both a public hospital pathway and a private one. Public care through Westmead, Blacktown and Mount Druitt costs nothing but usually involves a longer wait, categorised by urgency. Private specialists are faster but carry an out-of-pocket cost that varies widely. Your GP will talk through both and can indicate likely waiting times.
Good to know
If cost is a barrier, say so. There are specialists who bulk bill or reduce fees in some circumstances, and public clinics that see urgent cases quickly.
1 of 4
How long a referral lasts
A standard GP referral to a specialist is valid for twelve months from the date of the first appointment, not from the date it was written. An indefinite referral can be issued for ongoing chronic conditions where continuing specialist care is clearly needed. Referrals to allied health under a care plan run on a different system.
2 of 4
Renewing an expired referral
If a referral has lapsed, book a short appointment. Medicare does not allow referrals to be backdated, so if you attend a specialist on an expired referral you may lose the rebate for that visit. A quick appointment beforehand avoids that.
3 of 4
Imaging and hospital referrals
The same appointment can generate requests for X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI, and referrals into hospital outpatient clinics, pre-admission services or public allied health.
Referrals we commonly write.
Where our GPs most often refer, public or private.
Tap to learn more
Dermatology
Bulk billedDermatology
Bulk billedComplex skin lesions, difficult eczema and psoriasis, and lesions needing specialist excision.
Book online →Obstetrics and gynaecology
Bulk billedObstetrics and gynaecology
Bulk billedPregnancy shared care, heavy or painful periods, fertility questions and menopause management.
Book online →Gastroenterology and surgery
Bulk billedGastroenterology and surgery
Bulk billedEndoscopy, colonoscopy, gallbladder, hernia and other general surgical assessment.
Book online →Psychiatry and psychology
Bulk billedPsychiatry and psychology
Bulk billedComplex mental health assessment, medication review and Medicare-rebated therapy.
Book online →Respiratory and sleep
Bulk billedRespiratory and sleep
Bulk billedAsthma and COPD that is hard to control, chronic cough and suspected sleep apnoea.
Book online →What to expect.
From appointment to specialist waiting room.
01
Book a GP appointmentReferrals need a consultation. Your GP has to assess the problem before they can refer, and Medicare requires it.
02
Discuss public or privateYour GP explains likely waiting times and costs for each pathway, and names specialists they trust for your problem.
03
The referral is written and sentMost referrals are sent electronically or given to you as a letter. Results and medicine lists are attached.
04
You book with the specialistCall the rooms yourself, or the clinic contacts you for public referrals. Bring the referral if it was given to you.
Bring with youMedicare cardYour current medicine listAny previous scans or resultsThe name of a specialist you prefer
Who you'll see.
All three GPs refer across the Western Sydney network and privately.
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner · Medical Director
Dr Mustafa HafizMChD, FRACGP
Skin cancer checks and minor procedures, men's health, mental health and family medicine.
Available Mon · Tue · Wed · Fri · Sun
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner
Dr Zainab ShiraziDiploma in Dermatology
Women's health, children's health and skin conditions.
Available Mon · Tue · Wed · Fri · Sat
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner
Dr Mohammed HossainMBBS, FRACGP, Diploma in Dermatology
Chronic and complex conditions, heart, gut and kidney health, weight management.
Available Mon · Wed
General Practitioner
Dr Robert ReidMBBS · In general practice since 1980
Mental health, chronic illness, disability care and general family medicine.
Available Ask reception
Fees and bulk billing.
The GP appointment to arrange a referral is bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. What the specialist charges is set by them, not by us.
Full fee guide
100% bulk billing clinic
Standard GP consultations at Toongabbie Doctors are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card, so there is no out-of-pocket cost to see your doctor.
The referral consultation is bulk billed; the specialist's own fee is separate and varies.
Public hospital outpatient clinics do not charge, but waiting times are assigned by clinical urgency.
Referrals cannot be backdated, so please renew before your specialist appointment rather than after.
Common questions.
Common questions about referrals.
No. Medicare requires that your GP assess you before referring, and a referral written without an assessment would not be safe or valid.
Twelve months from your first visit to that specialist, unless your GP marks it indefinite for an ongoing condition. Specialist-to-specialist referrals last three months.
Yes. If you or your family have seen someone before and want to go back, tell your GP and the referral will be addressed to them.
Tell us. Your GP can sometimes escalate a public referral with a clinical update, or suggest an alternative provider with shorter waiting times.
For ongoing specialist care, ask your GP about an indefinite referral. Otherwise a fresh referral is needed once the twelve months lapse.
Related services.
Prescriptions, Referrals and Medical CertificatesRepeat scripts, specialist referrals, certificates and care plan reviews.Learn more →GP Consultations and Same-Day AppointmentsStandard, long and same-day GP appointments, bulk billed.Learn more →Care Plan ReviewsRegular reviews that keep a chronic condition plan working.Learn more →Results and Follow-UpGetting your test results explained and agreeing the next step.Learn more →
Need a referral written or renewed?
Book a bulk billed appointment and leave with the referral, the results attached and a realistic idea of the wait.
Three ways to book: HotDoc · online · or by phone on (02) 7813 6000.
Toongabbie Doctors · Shop 1, Toongabbie Point
Monday to Friday8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday8:00am - 1:00pm
SundayClosed
ParkingFree via Cox Lane