Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to come to BNE?
Yes. You do have to pay to come to BNE.
- Brisbane Northside Emergency is a private fee-for-service Emergency Department. All consultations are covered by Medicare, although not totally (ie. we do not bulk bill).
- There is an out-of-pocket expense (ie. gap payment) not covered by Medicare or Private Health Funds. Some patients may qualify for a refund from various Government Safety Nets. Further information visit Medicare Safety Nets.
- We do not send out accounts. All attendances/accounts need to be settled at the time of consultation. We take all major credit cards and can arrange a Medicare refund when processing your payment.
- Should you require x-ray or pathology tests these services will be billed to you separately by our providers.
- We are a separate business to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside. We are not linked to The Prince Charles (public) Hospital. All doctors working at BNE are self-employed and not employed by Brisbane Northside Emergency or St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside.
Who can go to BNE?
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We treat all ages – children and adults.
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We specialise in emergency medicine and care.
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We treat all conditions from diabetes, hypertension, cardiac issues, pains, coughs, wounds to general sickness… nothing is too trivial!
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No matter what time of the day or night, if you’re concerned about your health or the health of someone in your care – come to BNE.
Can an ambulance take me to BNE?
Do I need Private Health Insurance to come to BNE?
Are there x-ray and pathology services available at BNE?
Q. What if I need to go to hospital after I visit BNE?
If you require admission to hospital, we will investigate and choose the most suitable hospital facility to transfer you to.
We will ensure options are discussed with you. We will then coordinate this transition process to ensure you receive the best care for your condition.
BNE offers a range of emergency services to Brisbane GPs and their patients. As the closest emergency facility to many local GPs on Brisbane’s Northside, our extended services can assist in the effective and fast treatment of your patients. For more information on referral processes and other requirements, please see the below frequently asked questions.
Can I send to BNE cardiac patients/stemis/patients requiring thrombosis?
We have a large cardiology caseload with easy access to Cardiologists and a cardiac catheter lab that is accessible 24/7 (including public holidays).
The standard of care for cardiac patients at BNE and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside is second-to-none. The majority of these presentations are taken to the catheter lab within 90 minutes of arrival.
Do you provide paediatric services?
Yes. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals treat children of all ages. We attend to most childhood accidents and illnesses at any time of the day and night. In fact, 20% of our patients are children!
Very sick infants and children requiring urgent, serious care should be taken directly to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Do you apply plaster and fibreglass casts?
Do I need to call BNE prior to sending my patients to you?
Will you send me my patient’s clinical notes?
Are there services or patients that BNE cannot treat?
BNE can see and treat MOST patients. There are some exceptions:
- Major Multi trauma: Please proceed to the larger public facilities.
- Obstetrics: There are no in-patient services for obstetrics/gynaecology at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside. Generally, BNE does not treat patients over 21 weeks gestation. However, our strong relationship with North West Private Hospital provides us with an almost seamless transition for gynaecological emergencies requiring admission.
- Mental health: We do not have facilities to treat mental health patients. There is a major facility located at The Prince Charles Hospital.
- DVA: We are happy to see DVA patients if they pay for the service then claim back from their provider. However BNE is not a DVA provider. Patients insured by The Department of Veterans’ Affairs can be DIRECTLY admitted to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside under their private consultant if you have made such arrangements. Alternatively, The Prince Charles Hospital Emergency Department can manage DVA patients.
- Workers Compensation: WorkCover patients are treated at BNE. However:
- All patients are required to pay for their treatment at the time of consultation and arrange their own third party rebates. WorkCover is no exception.
- We do not directly bill any third party or send out accounts.
- Additionally, WorkCover patients requiring admission to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside initially require Private Health Insurance, until their claim is accepted.
