FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Neurologist?

Northern Neuroscience supports independent Neurologists who consult from this practice.

Neurologists are doctors who diagnose and treat problems with the brain and nervous system. They do not perform surgery. If surgery is needed, they will refer to an appropriate specialist surgeon.

When a patient has a neurological disorder that requires frequent care, a neurologist is often the principal care provider.

They diagnose and treat conditions like stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, migraine and other headaches, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neuropathy and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

What days are you open?

We are open and support your doctor Monday to Friday during business hours. Your doctor may be consulting during these times. Please book a consultation or contact us to find out whether your doctor is consulting.

We are closed and unable to support your doctor on public holidays.

If you are new to our practice and have a referral from your doctor, please forward your referral to us at bookings@nnpl.com.au and one of our friendly admin staff will be contact you to make an appointment that best suits your needs. Be sure to include your contact details.

Please feel free to contact us for more details.

How Do I Book A Consultation?

Please call reception on (02) 7228 8333 to book an appointment.

If you are new to our practice please forward your referral letter to us at bookings@nnpl.com.au with your contact details and one of our Admin Team will ring you back within the next few days to arrange an appropriate appointment time.

If an urgent appointment is needed please ask your referring doctor to contact out reception team directly and we will attempt to facilitate this with your doctor.

Please feel to contact us for more details.

Can I get an urgent appointment?

Yes Northern Neuroscience on your doctor’s behalf will facilitate appointments for patients requiring urgent assessment if specifically requested by your referring doctor, usually via a phone call or fax from your referring doctor letting us know the reasons for urgency.

Do I need a referral?

A referral is essential for Medicare Rebate and assists the consulting doctor in understanding your current condition.

Please feel free to contact us for more details.

What should I expect at my first appointment with the neurologist?

Initial consultations take from 45 to 60 minutes, and involve a comprehensive assessment and examination.

During a neurological examination, the neurologist reviews the patient’s health history with special attention to the patients current condition and the symptoms you’re currently experiencing. The patient then takes a neurological exam. Typically, the exam tests vision, strength, coordination, reflexes, memory, reasoning and problem-solving abilities and sensation. This information helps the neurologist determine if the problem is in the nervous system.

The results of your test will help your neurologist determine if your problem stems from the brain or nervous system. You may need further testing to confirm a diagnosis or determine which treatment is best for you.

At the end of the consultation, your neurologist will usually devise a plan of investigation and further treatment which will be discussed with you and confirmed via a detailed letter to your referring doctor,

Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration or complete the Online Registration using the link sent to you via text message after you have made your appointment with the receptionist.

I’m an existing patient known to one of the Neurologists at Northern Neuroscience. What do I bring to my next appointment?

As an existing patient, you are responsible for bringing a valid referral (GP referrals are valid for 12 months, Specialist referrals are valid for 3 months). If you are unsure if your referral is still valid, please ring our reception to check if a new referral is required.

Having a referral enables patients to get a Medicare rebate.

How to prepare for your appointment?

To prepare for your consultation:

Write down your symptoms and keep track of anything that seems to trigger them. Take note of how long your symptoms last, if any new ones develop, and all other changes that might be relevant.
Bring along your other health information including medications, allergies, previous illnesses, and your family’s history of disease.
Make a list of any questions that you have.
Have your previous test results sent to your neurologist, or bring them to your appointment.
Consider bringing friend or family member to your appointment to help you take notes, and make sure you don’t miss anything.
Ask your neurologist about a follow-up appointment so that you know when you’ll next see them and can be prepared.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if you’re confused about something. Make sure you understand your diagnosis and treatment and any further steps you need to take.

What are the Consultation Fees?

An estimate of your doctor’s fees will be given to you by the receptionist at the time of booking. These fees are set by your doctor and any adjustments are at their discretion. The doctors we support have agreed between them to reduced rates for current Age and Disability Support Pension Cardholders. The independent neurologists do not generally see patients for matter relating to an insurance, workers compensation or medicolegal matter. If you think this may apply to you must discuss this with our reception staff before seeking to make an appointment with your doctor.

What do I bring to the appointment?

Please bring the following to your appointment for your doctor’s consideration and to facilitate our provision of administrative support::

Referral letter from your GP, family physician or other doctor
A list of all your medications including doses
Your Medicare card, Veterans’ Affairs card, Age or Disability Support Pension Card
Your actual X-rays, MRIs and CT scans; copies of results of relevant tests, and any other relevant information
A friend or family member (if you wish)

Tests: Will I see my neurologist on the day of my test?

A request for a test is different from a consultation. Like other diagnostic testing (e.g. MRI and other scans) you may have been referred to Northern Neuroscience for a test only. The results of your test will be sent to your referring doctor for you to discuss the results together and plan further management or actions.

If your Neurologist from Northern Neuroscience has requested a test that we do here at Northern Neuroscience, you can make an appointment for the test and an appointment to see your neurologist after the test to discuss the results with them. However, it may be more convenient to have your follow up appointment on a different day.

Tests: How long do the results take?

The results generally take 5-10 working days, so please arrange to see your referring doctor accordingly.

Contact Us

Phone: (02) 7228 8333

Fax: (02) 7228 8339

Email: bookings@nnpl.com.au

Address: Suite 504, The SAN Clinic, 185 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga NSW 2076

Visit our CONTACT web page: Click here

How do I change or cancel my appointment?

Telephone our office during business hours and allow at least one day’s notice so that we can inform your doctor who can offer your appointment time to their other patients on their waiting list.

Can I speak to the doctor over the phone?

Your doctor has a pre-planned busy schedule, so you can phone in and we will attempt to facilitate you speaking to them directly if practicable.

You are welcome to call our clinic and speak to our receptionist and leave a message. Either the staff or your doctor, depending on the circumstance, will get back to you.

What payment methods does the doctor accept and what discounts or Medicare Easyclaim facilities are available to me?

We provide the doctors we support with facilities to provide Medicare Easyclaim. The independent neurologists offer discounts to pensioners and bulk-bill their Veteran affairs patients.

The doctors we support also accept Eftpos and cash.

Visiting: Where do I Park?

Paid Parking is available on site. The SAN Clinic P2 has secure automated paid parking onsite for patients and visitors.

Our office is located in Suite 504, The San Clinic, in the grounds of Sydney Adventist Hospital. There is a car parking station at the Clinic. Enter by the main hospital entrance at the traffic lights on Fox Valley Road (Entry 1 – White Road). Take the first carpark entry P2 on the left which leads directly into the San Clinic multi-storey car park.

Pay stations are located near the clinic and hospital entry points for cash, debit and credit card payments. Alternatively, you can pay at the boom gate as you exit.

Visiting: Where do I drop off, pick up?

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Zone:

Located adjacent to the multi-deck car park (P1) and allows access to the main hospital on Level 2.

The pickup / drop off zone offers 20 minutes of free parking as well as an entrance to the multi-deck car park (fees applicable) should you need to stay longer.

The Hospital Concierge can help you find your way through to The SAN Clinic.