For Patients

Referrals

A referral from your GP or another specialist is required to see our cardiologists to claim a Medicare rebate on your appointment and investigations. Without a valid referral, you will be responsible for the full cost of services.

• GP referral: valid for 12 months from the date of issue
• Specialist-to-specialist referral: valid for 3 months from the date of issue
• Please ensure your referral is current before attending your appointment

If you do not yet have a referral, please see your GP first. They can assess whether cardiology review is appropriate and refer you directly to One Heart Centre. Your GP can also send the referral directly to us, and our reception team will contact you to arrange your appointment.

Making an Appointment

Once your GP or specialist has referred you to One Heart Centre, you can book your appointment by:

• Calling our reception on (02) 9114 5151
• Emailing referrals@oneheartcentre.com.au
• Booking online at www.oneheartcentre.com.au

We offer same-day and next-day appointments for urgent referrals. If your GP considers your situation urgent — for example, new chest pain, unexplained breathlessness, or a significant rhythm disturbance — please ask them to contact us directly and we will prioritise your appointment accordingly.

We consult at three locations across Sydney — North Sydney, Bella Vista, and Matraville. Please let our team know your preferred location when booking.

Attending Your Appointment

To make the most of your appointment and ensure a smooth visit, please:

• Bring your referral letter (if not already sent to us by your GP)
• Bring your Medicare card
• Bring your concession card or DVA card (if applicable)
• Bring your private health insurance card (if applicable)
• Bring a current list of all medications you are taking
• Bring any previous relevant test results, ECGs, echocardiogram reports, or imaging
• Arrive 10–15 minutes early if it is your first visit, to complete a short patient information form
• Complete the pre-appointment patient information form, which will be emailed to you.

You are welcome to bring a support person, partner, or family member to your appointment. We recognise that attending a cardiology appointment can feel daunting, and having someone with you can be reassuring. We respect your time and do our best to run to schedule, though occasional delays can occur when patients require additional time or in urgent circumstances.

Patient Information Form

New patients are asked to complete a brief patient information form prior to their first consultation. This form helps your cardiologist understand your personal and family medical history, current medications, symptoms, and lifestyle factors before you arrive.

The form can be downloaded from our website at www.oneheartcentre.com.au, completed at home, and brought to your appointment. Alternatively, paper forms are available at reception. Completing the form before your visit allows your cardiologist to make the most of your consultation time. This form will be stored securely in compliance with Australian Privacy Principles.

Fees & Payments

One Heart Centre is a private cardiologist practice. Fees vary depending on the nature and complexity of your consultation and any investigations performed on the day. We encourage you to contact our reception team prior to your appointment to discuss fees and your likely out-of-pocket costs.

• A Medicare rebate applies to all consultations where a valid referral is held. The rebate amount depends on the type and length of consultation. Your gap payment — the difference between our fee and the Medicare rebate — will be discussed with you at the time of booking or on arrival.
• Concession rates are available for Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, and DVA card holders. Please let our reception team know at the time of booking.

Payment is collected at the time of your appointment by EFTPOS, credit card, or cash. Your Medicare rebate is processed on the day and is typically received within 1–2 business days. If you have any questions about fees or what to expect before your appointment, please do not hesitate to contact our reception team — we are happy to walk you through the costs in advance.

On-Site Cardiac Investigations

Most investigations can be performed at the same visit as your consultation.

Available on-site:

• 12-lead ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)
• Stress echocardiogram
• 24-hour Holter monitor (ambulatory cardiac monitoring)
• 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)
• HeartBug extended cardiac monitoring patch (up to 14 days)
• Pacemaker and implantable defibrillator (ICD) checks

Telehealth Appointments

One Heart Centre offers video telehealth consultations for follow-up appointments and selected clinical reviews. Telehealth is an alternative for patients who live outside of Sydney or have difficulty attending in person.

Please note: initial (first-ever) consultations with a new specialist must be conducted in person under Medicare rules. There is no Medicare rebate for new patient telephone or video consultations unless you have attended in person previously.

To attend a telehealth appointment, you will need:

• A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
• A stable internet connection
• The video link sent to you by reception — no software download required

Hospital Admissions

Our cardiologists perform procedures at affiliated private hospitals in Sydney. If your cardiologist recommends a procedure requiring hospital admission (such as a coronary angiogram, coronary stenting, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), transoesophageal echocardiogram. cardiac device insertion, or electrophysiology study), our team will coordinate your hospital booking and provide you with detailed pre-admission instructions.

Affiliated hospitals:

• North Shore Private Hospital
• Macquarie University Hospital
• Mater Hospital
• Sydney Adventist Hospital

Pre-admission paperwork, consent forms, and preparation instructions will be provided well in advance of your procedure. Please bring your Medicare card, private health insurance details, and a list of current medications on the day of your admission. Arrange for someone to drive you home after any procedure performed under sedation.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible — and ideally at least 48 hours in advance. This allows us to offer your appointment time to another patient who may be waiting for urgent review.

To cancel or reschedule, please call (02) 9114 5151 or email admin@oneheartcentre.com.au. Late cancellations or non-attendance without notice may incur a cancellation fee.

Our team will contact you in advance to confirm your appointment. Please ensure your contact details on file are current so we can reach you.

Results & Correspondence

Following your consultation, a detailed clinical letter summarising our findings, investigation results, and management plan will be sent to your referring GP within 24–48 hours. We take pride in prompt, thorough communication with referring doctors to ensure seamless continuity of your care.

Your Privacy

One Heart Centre is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal and health information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. Your information is used solely to provide and coordinate your clinical care and will only be shared with other treating practitioners involved in your care, with your consent. Our full Privacy Policy is available at www.oneheartcentre.com.au