Frequently Asked Questions

Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, during which hormone levels fluctuate and menstrual cycles may become irregular. Many women experience symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes and fatigue during this time.

Symptoms can vary between individuals but commonly include:

• Irregular periods
  
• Hot flushes or night sweats
  
• Sleep disturbances
  
• Mood changes or anxiety
  
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
  
• Vaginal dryness
  
• Reduced energy levels
  

If these symptoms are affecting your quality of life, it is advisable to speak with your GP.

Yes. Some of our GPs have additional training and expertise in menopause management and are recognised by the Australian Menopause Society (AMS) as having advanced knowledge in this field. This allows us to provide evidence-based care tailored to the complex hormonal changes experienced during perimenopause and menopause.

Please make a booking at your preferred location below:

• Kirrawee
• Woolooware
• Kurnell

Management options may include:

• Lifestyle and dietary advice
  
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and other medication options where appropriate
  
• Non-hormonal treatment options
  
• Support for sleep, mood and wellbeing
  

Your GP will discuss the most suitable options based on your symptoms, medical history and preferences.

Patients can book a “Menopause Consultation” with doctors who have a particular interest and additional training in menopause management. These appointments are longer to allow time for a detailed discussion of symptoms and treatment options.

Yes. Because menopause symptoms often involve multiple health factors, we recommend booking a long consultation to allow sufficient time for a comprehensive assessment and personalised management plan.

Yes. Our GPs perform comprehensive skin cancer checks to identify suspicious moles, lesions or other skin changes that may require further investigation.

Please make a booking at your preferred location below:

• Kirrawee
• Woolooware
• Kurnell

The recommended frequency depends on your personal risk factors such as skin type, sun exposure history and family history of skin cancer. Your GP can advise on the most appropriate schedule for your situation.

During a skin examination, your doctor will carefully assess your skin using specialised equipment to identify unusual moles or lesions. If any areas of concern are detected, your GP may recommend monitoring, biopsy or removal.

Yes. Several of our doctors have additional training and a special interest in identifying and managing skin cancers, including performing minor procedures and excisions where appropriate.

Patients can book a “Skin Check” appointment with these doctors for a dedicated skin examination.

Please make a booking at your preferred location below:

• Kirrawee
• Woolooware
• Kurnell

Our clinic now offers Total Body Photography, a cutting-edge, non-invasive imaging service that captures high-resolution photographs of your entire skin surface.

Lesions are mapped to a secure 3D digital avatar, allowing doctors to monitor changes over time and detect skin cancers at an early stage.

The process is:

• Fast
  
• Comfortable
  
• Non-invasive
  

It is particularly beneficial for patients with multiple moles or higher risk of skin cancer.

It ensures the GP can monitor changes to your skin over time – an improtant factor in monitoring skin spots for cancer

Yes. Family Medical Practices offers ADHD-informed and neurodivergent-friendly GP care for both adults and children.

Our doctors can assist with the screening, referral pathways and ongoing support for patients with ADHD. We aim to provide a supportive and understanding environment for neurodivergent patients, recognising that individuals may have different communication, sensory or appointment needs.

If you have a ADHD diagnosis and are currently taking medication, our GPs can also continue to prescribe your usual medication.

Where appropriate, our GPs work collaboratively with psychiatrists, psychologists and other health professionals to ensure patients receive comprehensive and coordinated care.

ADHD care in NSW is increasingly delivered through a shared-care model, where GPs work alongside psychiatrists and other specialists to support patients throughout their treatment journey.

Under this model, GPs may provide care at different levels depending on their training:

Tier 1 GPs
Provide initial screening, discussion of symptoms, referral coordination and ongoing general support for patients with ADHD.

Tier 2 GPs
Complete additional training that allows them to play a more advanced role in ADHD assessment and management in collaboration with specialists.

At Family Medical Practices, Dr Rebekah Hoffman and Dr Christopher Timms have been approved to commence Tier 2 ADHD training, which will further expand the ADHD services available through our clinics.

Please Note: They are not yet able to initiate and prescribe stimulants. Once training has been completed, this will be updated.

In many cases, a referral to a psychiatrist or a peadiatrician will be required for to initiate certain medications.

Your GP can help guide you through this process by:

• Assessing symptoms
  
• Determining whether specialist referral is appropriate
  
• Preparing referral documentation
  
• Coordinating care between healthcare providers
  

This approach helps ensure patients receive the most appropriate and evidence-based care.

Yes. Once diagnosis and treatment pathways have been established, your GP may provide ongoing support and monitoring as part of a shared-care approach.

This may include:

• Medication monitoring and reviews where appropriate
• Prescribing medication, once these have been initiated by a peadiatrician or a psychiartist, and you are on a regular, stable dose
  
• General health support
  
• Coordination with specialists and allied health providers
  
• Ongoing management of associated health concerns
  

Our clinics aim to provide neurodivergent-friendly care, ensuring appointments are respectful, supportive and tailored to individual needs.

Yes. Our GPs can support children and adolescents who may be experiencing symptoms consistent with ADHD.

This may involve:

• Initial screening
  
• Guidance for parents and caregivers
  
• Referrals to paediatric specialists or child psychiatrists where appropriate
  
• Ongoing support for families navigating diagnosis and management

Yes. Our doctors provide shared antenatal care in partnership with local hospitals. This allows you to receive most of your pregnancy care locally with your GP while remaining connected to hospital maternity services.

It is recommended to book an appointment as soon as possible after a positive pregnancy test so your GP can begin antenatal planning and organise early investigations.

Yes. We provide postnatal support for both mother and baby, including health checks, feeding guidance and emotional wellbeing support.

Yes. Pregnancy can be an important time for both parents. Our doctors are happy to support fathers with their physical health, mental wellbeing and preparation for parenthood.

Yes. Our clinics provide routine childhood vaccinations according to the Australian National Immunisation Schedule, as well as developmental health checks for babies and children.

There are also optional additional vaccinations that may be suggested by your doctor. Please speak to them about options and if they are suitable for your family.

Yes. Some of our doctors assess and manage workplace injuries and can provide the necessary documentation required for WorkCover claims.

If you are injured at work, you should:

1. Inform your employer as soon as possible
   
2. Seek medical assessment from your GP
   
3. Obtain a WorkCover certificate of capacity if required from your GP
   
4. Follow your GP’s treatment and recovery plan
   

Our doctors can assist with medical documentation, treatment planning and communication with employers or insurers where appropriate.

Yes. Our doctors can provide medical certificates where clinically appropriate, including certificates required for work or workplace injury claims.

Yes. Our clinics provide occupational health assessments including pre-employment medicals and fitness-for-work evaluations.

Yes. Our GPs can assist with structured return-to-work plans designed to support safe recovery while maintaining employment participation where possible.

Yes. Our doctors can prepare Mental Health Treatment Plans, which allow eligible patients to access Medicare-subsidised sessions with psychologists or other mental health professionals.

Yes. Our GPs provide assessment, support and management for patients experiencing anxiety, depression and other common mental health concerns.

Yes. Our doctors can provide initial assessment, ongoing GP support and referrals to specialised eating disorder services when required.

Yes. Our clinics support children and adolescents experiencing mental health concerns, providing appropriate assessment and referral pathways where needed.

Our clinics provide a range of preventative health assessments including:

• Cardiovascular risk checks
  
• Diabetes screening
  
• Cancer screening referrals
  
• Age-based health assessments

This Medicare-funded health check is designed to identify early risk factors for chronic disease and support long-term preventative health.

This varies depending on your age, medical history and risk factors. Your GP can recommend a schedule tailored to your individual health needs.

The Doctor for Doctors program at Family Medical Practices is a specialised healthcare service designed specifically for medical professionals. We recognise that doctors often face unique pressures, demanding schedules and barriers to accessing their own healthcare.

This program provides confidential, professional and streamlined medical care tailored to the needs of doctors and other healthcare professionals, ensuring they can prioritise their health while continuing to care for others.

Medical professionals often work long hours in high-responsibility environments, which can make it difficult to access regular healthcare.Our Doctor for Doctors program recognises the specific challenges faced by healthcare professionals and aims to provide care that is:

• Understanding of the demands of medical practice
• Respectful of confidentiality and professional sensitivities
• Flexible and efficient to accommodate busy schedules

By providing care tailored to the medical profession, we help ensure doctors receive the preventative and ongoing healthcare they need.

Our doctors provide comprehensive medical care for healthcare professionals, including:

• Preventative health assessments
• General health check-ups
• Management of chronic conditions
• Mental health support and wellbeing care
• Advice on work-life balance and burnout prevention

Each consultation is tailored to the individual needs of the doctor, ensuring a personalised and confidential healthcare experience.

Yes. Our GPs are experienced in working with medical professionals and understand the unique pressures, responsibilities and time constraints associated with clinical practice. This shared understanding allows consultations to be more efficient and focused, while still providing high-quality, comprehensive care.

Yes. We understand that healthcare professionals often have unpredictable schedules. Our clinics aim to provide streamlined appointments and flexible booking options wherever possible to minimise disruption to your professional commitments.

Yes. Preventative care is an important part of maintaining long-term health and wellbeing.

Through the Doctor for Doctors program, our GPs can provide regular health checks, screening tests and personalised health advice to help doctors stay proactive about their health while managing the demands of their profession.

Yes. All consultations are conducted with the same strict confidentiality and professional standards applied to all patients. We recognise that privacy is particularly important for healthcare professionals and ensure consultations are handled with discretion and respect.