Doctors in Schools

A GP and practice nurse are onsite every Thursday to meet the health and wellbeing needs of our students. 

As part of the DET Doctors in Secondary Schools program, we are fortunate to have Doctor James Dobbing and practice nurse Courtney from Peninsula Family General Practice with us every Thursday. Available to see students in the Doctors in Schools Service building (on school grounds), James and Courtney provide free, primary health care services, just as you would expect at your local GP.

You can request an appointment with the Doctors in Schools team using the wellbeing referral form

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Courtney 

Courtney is one of our lovely nurses with a background in emergency nursing. She enjoys all aspects of nursing with a special interest in adolescent health and wellbeing.
She spends her spare time being a mum to her three boys who love camping and swimming at the beach.

What will the doctor do?

The doctor will provide students with the same services as the kind normally provided by doctors in the community, including seeing students about their physical and mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues. The doctor may also make referrals to other health services as required.

The doctor will bulk bill consultations through Medicare, so there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for this service for your child.

This program is not designed to replace any existing medical arrangements your child may have in place. The Doctor in Secondary School Service can provide a convenient alternative to primary care within school hours and encourage health care access to those students without an existing relationship with a doctor.

The program is intended to provide better access to primary care for secondary school students. Therefore, parents, carers, guardians, and other family members are not able to use this service.

When does the Program run?

The Doctor and nurse will be on the school grounds every Thursday. Opening hours are 9:30 am till 1:00 pm and appointments are 30 minutes.

Who is involved? 

Dr. James and Nurse Courtney work collaboratively with the well-being team regarding referrals and more ongoing support (all appointments are confidential which means all discussions will be kept private).

Why is there a Doctor at my School?

The doctor is at the school to help students be as healthy as possible. The doctor is a great place to start if you are concerned or want help, information, or advice about any health issues including:

• Physical wellbeing
• Healthy eating and exercise
• Sexual health
• Drug and alcohol use
• Asthma management
• Relationship/family issues
• Mental health

How to book an appointment

 You can come to the well-being office in F Block and book an appointment with any wellbeing team member

• You can also speak to your teacher
• Place a slip with your name in the box at the front office
• Complete a wellbeing refferal form online

Important to Know – Confidentiality

• It is important that you know that appointments will be confidential – which means kept private.
• If you book your appointments through a team member in wellbeing, they are not allowed to tell other people in the school (teachers, coordinators, and friends) or parents, that you have booked an appointment to see the doctor.
• They will have to let your teacher know that you will be absent, however, they do not need to tell them that you are with the doctor.

Other Important Things to Know

• If you are 14 years or older, your information is kept private by Medicare. Even if your parents ask for a statement, your visit to the doctor at school will not be shown.
• If you are 13 years or under, your parents can access information about you visiting the doctor, even without your permission.