Primary Medical & Dental Centre Highett

Convenient hours when no other clinic is open. Vaccination nurses are lovely but all three experiences I’ve had with GPs here have been pretty bad.

Excellent service, with everything available at their fingertips, means it saves you time and provides all encompassing testing and treatment needed.

Dr Alphonsa William is by far the most professional, sympathetic and caring Doctor. She always makes the time for you and is extremely thorough.

Dr Peter Schuijers is the best and most thorough Doctor. His intelligence and care factor is second to none. Won’t go anywhere else.

You book ahead so you dont have to wait but as soon as you come in it turns out you do have to wait- what’s the point of setting up a system like that if you know you’re going to be behind time? !

Also I came in with a knee issue and was told I may need a blood test. I have prepertellar bursitis not low blood pressure!

PS- please NOTE I’m writing this review in said place. People come here because they have to, not because they want to!

There was a computer issue.which meant I had to wait about 2 hours. This is also the 2nd year nurse had problems taking my blood. All in all the doctor was great for my yearly check up " and oil change " (LOL)

The phone never gets picked up. You need to make an online booking, if you have a concession card you have to show them. There is no option to enter it in online. There is always a wait here. You always get called in 15-30min after you appointment time.

Never ever stepping a foot to this place. Made us wait for 2 hours with a newborn and a 7 year old when I had BOOKED an appointment with them.
Unacceptable and unempathetic behaviour from staff who didnt do anything as we kept asking when is our turn. Running this late for medical issues is absolutely disgraceful especially when condition if not treated can lead to death. Zero stars.

Booked Telehealth for 11.30am and was called by doctor at 3pm. After I made a point of this with the doctor, she was dismissive and just said it’s not like a face to face, you just have to wait. Apparently I was the first on her list to call.
I also rang at 1.10pm to advise I was still waiting. Was on hold for 10 minutes then phone disconnected. I rang back an hour later and was given no explanation, but that I was first on her list to call.

Told bulk billing for child and then chased up for weeks to pay a bill. Apparently 8am is out of hours which we were not informed of, otherwise would have selected a different appointment time. Not impressed!

I have always found the doctors and staff very helpful, respectful, friendly and professional.

Not so Primary
1 HOUR WAIT for a booked appointment for a private clinic is atrocious.
Overbooked and no notification to let patients know that the doctors are running behind schedule.
With a switch from bulk billed to private you would expect better service. But not here at Primary Medical.
The doctors great but whats the point if you cant even see them or you have to book out half a day because you're worried they will make you wait an hour plus.

DO BETTER

I thought I booked a telehealth appt. Email confirmation day before said appt & not telehealth. Very confusing. Thought I had made a mistake booking. Turned up for the appt. Missed the call as phone off ready for appt. Very frustrating. Please make your confirmation emails clear to which appt. Thank you.

Since when did phone wait times take upwards to around half an hour? It’s every time I call not just once! What happened to the old days where calls were picked up instantly. These receptionists just gossip and chat and don’t do their jobs properly!

Wish I could give 0 stars. The worst service (1 hour delayed GP appointment with no apology/ explanation) then with a catalogue of errors by reception staff and office manager that have left me out of pocket. Avoid!

Due to private billings, you would compensate the lack of care and massive wait times from doctors for bulk billing. Now, best to go doctor shopping for proper care.

I have visited Highett Medical Centre for many years, I have always found the staff to be very customer serviced, prompt as well as professional in their roles. What I like is there are so many services under the one umbrella, which is very convenient, when let's face it, we are all very busy and appointments are so quick and convenient.
Big thank you to my GP Dr Towie, who is very caring, always on time, as well as professional in his field, always explains procedures as well as answers any questions I may have.
Also Sarah is very welcoming, always answers the phone professionally as well as being so helpful and very customer focused. I would never go to any other clinic.
Big thank you to everyone working at this great clinic.

Don't go there unless you are desperate for an appointment. Reception is useless, won't email you referrals if you need them due to confidential information, however they want to know what the referral is about so they can get the Dr to send? This makes no sense. If you call reception, you will be on hold for 10+ minutes and then probably get hung up on so you start the process again. Very frustrating place to deal with. Emailing is useless too, you wont get a response!

Efficient. Doctor was excellent - Dr Alfia Shvarts. Very understanding, explains the medical condition very well.

No problems making appointment on line. Seen on time. Staff very pleasant and professional. I was pleasantly surprised that it was bulk billed.