Fuelling Wellness

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Appointment Information

Appointment Process

Arranging an Initial Appointment

Before booking an appointment, please read the ‘Consultation Fees and Payment’ and the ‘Practice Policies & Disclaimers’ sections to learn about consultation fees, payment methods, booking deposits, rebates and all policies relating to privacy, electronic communication, appointment cancellation and late arrival.

Fuelling Wellness is a private practice and bulk-billing services are not offered. The practice does not accept workers compensation, veteran affairs or medico-legal patients. If any of these apply to you, please consult your General Practitioner (GP) or specialist for alternative options.  National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) patients may be accepted upon review.

All appointments are initially tentative when booked. The details you provide upon booking will be used to assess suitability before an appointment can be offered.  A referral is not necessary for booking a service, however the involvement of a supportive GP or specialist will be advocated if medically indicated, especially given medications adjustments may be needed and profound biochemical changes are commonly induced by Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction (TCR).  Following the review of your booking information the appointment outcome will be communicated. Please read the FAQ section for more information on contradicted health conditions and circumstances.

If an appointment is offered, once scheduled, you will receive an ‘opt-in’ authorisation email to initiate electronic messaging. Following acceptance of this, you will receive an email with appointment confirmation details and online intake forms to complete via a secure link.

To secure your appointment, you must complete and submit all online intake forms (i.e New Client Pre-Appointment Questionnaire, Telehealth Consent Form, Practice Policies) and the booking deposit must be paid at least 48 hours on business days before your scheduled appointment; otherwise, you risk your appointment being cancelled.

Appointment Options

Telehealth Information

Telehealth consultations are the predominant method by which Fuelling Wellness services are provided and conducted via video conference or if deemed suitable over the phone. Apart from the services involving Metabolic Testing and Body Composition Analysis, all other services are provided via Telehealth the majority of the time. Multiple benefits exist for those using Telehealth consultations such as personal convenience, reduced time away from home/work, less travel and expenses.

While striving to begin your appointment on time is of upmost importance, there may be cases where a previous appointment or internet connection issues cause a delay. Given this, please allow a reasonable time frame of approximately 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment.

Clinic Information

In-person consultations are provided periodically at Tandem Health, Labrador Medical Centre, 32 Central Street, Labrador QLD 4215. Free on-site and 2-hour street parking is available. The Labrador Medical Centre is closed on weekends and public holidays.

Fuelling Wellness provides independent consultation services at this clinic and operates bookings and accounts independently. All clinic bookings must be scheduled via the online booking platform or appointment enquiries submitted via the website booking enquiry link. Appointment bookings, booking enquires and payments are not the responsibility of the medical centre or clinic reception staff.

Appointment Prerequisites

Practice Policies and Pre-Appointment Questionnaires

Reviewing and acknowledging all Practice Policies and Disclaimers and completing relevant questionnaires prior to your scheduled appointment forms part of all service agendas.

To secure your initial appointment, the electronic ‘New Client Pre-Appointment Questionnaire’ requires completion at least 48 hours before your initial appointment time. Details entered will save directly into a secure patient management software system to ensure there is no risk of emailed documents going astray or data exposure.

Completing this initial questionnaire requires your time and patience, with the aim of providing some insight about your health status, medical history, lifestyle and dietary habits which will be clarified in more detail during the consultation. Additionally, information provided will be used to conduct assessments, obtain a holistic understanding of you as an individual and highlight the need for validated screeners and further diagnostic assessments/investigations to assist with the formulation of diet and lifestyle interventions inline with your personal needs and goals.

Prior to follow-up appointments the completion of progress questionnaires will be expected 48 hours prior to the appointment time with the aim of gaining an understanding of how you are progressing since your last session (and overall). This information can be useful for acknowledging achievements and identifying any challenges early and aid inclusion of targeted agenda setting to support continuation of optimal health outcomes. This also allows opportunity to share relevant healthcare information/documentation requiring review. If there are any issues in completing and submitting questionnaires, please get in contact immediately so the issue can be rectified.

Relevant Documentation

Please provide copies of the following documents in electronic format (PDF preferred) either by uploading within the relevant sections of the New Client Pre-Appointment Questionnaire or by arranging copies via facsimile from your primary medical practice 48hrs prior to your appointment:

  • GP or specialist referral letter (unless self-referred)
  • For those referred under the Medicare Benefits Scheme, a copy of your GP Team Care Arrangement Plan (TCA), Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) or Eating Disorder Care Plan (EDP).
  • A copy of any recent blood or pathology tests screened in the last 1-6 months.
  • Any relevant medical records, investigations or assessments from your previous Dietitian/Nutritionist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist or other Specialist.
  • Any relevant monitoring records (e.g. food diaries, blood glucose or ketone monitoring records, body composition scans, bowel and digestive symptom records etc).
  • Any food products/packages, recipes, menus, nutritional supplements etc you wish to discuss.

To make scanning of documents easier, you can either request they be faxed by your medical centre, or you can download the free phone app ‘Genius Scan’ on your mobile device to scan, create PDF files, and upload documents you wish to provide.

Appointment Preparation

Preparing for Telehealth Appointments

You will be required to provide consent via completion of the ‘Telehealth Consent Form’ to participate in Telehealth consultations. It is best to find a quiet and private location at home or work with as few distractions as possible and avoid walking or driving around for optimal internet connection. You can connect via your computer or phone for Telehealth Appointments, however a device with a larger sized screen is encouraged to optimise learning outcomes. You must connect the use of your phone or computer’s microphone and camera when prompted. While striving to begin your appointment on time is of upmost importance, there may be cases where a previous appointment or internet connection issues cause a delay. Given this, please allow a reasonable time frame of approximately 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment.

Preparing for Clinic Appointments

Upon arrival to the medical clinic, you will be greeted by reception staff, required to answer COVID screening questions and directed to the appropriate waiting room. Please answer honestly and enquiry about any symptoms prior to your appointment, if unsure. If you have a cold, flu or COVID-19 like symptoms, please do not enter the clinic and make contact to arrange converting your appointment to Telehealth. It is expected you are familiar with cancellation and late arrival conditions when making appointment changes.

Preparing for a SUGAR® Interview

You are required to complete the online SUGAR® Pre-Assessment Evaluation (PAE) at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Before the interview it is recommended you take some time to think about your relationship with SUGARS – the carbohydrates encompassing sugars, grains, flours, and ultra processed, hyper-palatable foods that you experience heightened cravings for, lose control over eating or struggle to control portions of. Examples of SUGARS include pizza, pasta, bread, cakes, pastries, donuts, desserts, cookies, crackers, soft drink, fruit juice, ice cream, cereal, potatoes, rice and anything naturally or artificially sweetened. Additionally, think about eating behaviours, key life events and periods of weight loss/gain throughout your life, to help to get the most accurate “map” of your food journey. Many of the questions relate to your earliest recollection of events or feelings.

Preparing for Metabolic Testing

This testing is conducted in-clinic and requires you to adhere to the pre-testing instructions to ensure your resting metabolic test is as accurate as possible. These instructions are provided upon booking the test and a reminder is communicated 24-48 hours prior to your appointment. Energy production can vary significantly both at different times during the day and from day to day, depending on different factors such as physical activity, food choices, intake of stimulating substances (alcohol, nicotine, caffeine etc), digestion, body temperature, heart rate, sleep quality and stress levels. When interpreting metabolic testing results it will be assumed that all pre-test instructions were adhered to.

Preparing for Body Composition Analysis

This testing is conducted in-clinic and requires you to adhere to the pre-testing instructions to ensure your Body Composition Analysis is as accurate as possible. These instructions are provided upon booking the test and a reminder is communicated 24-48 hours prior to your appointment. Results can be influenced by food choices, alcohol, caffeine, exercise, bladder volume, menstruation, time of day, presence of prostheses with metal parts and certain medications. This test is not suitable for pregnant woman or those wearing an electronic medical device or implanted portable or survival device, such as a pacemaker.

Medical Support

Medical Monitoring and Supervision

Patient safety and support is of the highest importance. If you are under medical supervision of any kind, it’s essential you inform your primary medical doctor and any prominent specialists within your healthcare team before embarking on any lifestyle change, such as the use of therapeutic dietary interventions in the form of low carbohydrate or ketogenic nutritional therapies. This is especially important for those with coexisting medical conditions and currently taking prescription medications. Medication may need to be adjusted, reduced or stopped as you experience health improvements and only professionals with prescribing/de-prescribing privileges can manage this process.

Please read the FAQ section or submit a booking enquiry to determine if you need to seek medical advice and support prior to booking an appointment. If your usual health care provider is unfamiliar with treatment guidelines in line with Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction (TCR), low carbohydrate, ketogenic and therapeutic fasting dietary interventions, but happy to support your wellness journey, GP specific information can be provided on what medical monitoring and support is required before and during the dietary intervention(s). If you wish to engage a low carb GP/specialist experienced and supportive of TCR and you need assistance locating one, consider searching these online clinician directories:

Fees, Payment and Entitlements

Service Fees

Service fees are subject to change and patients will be advised of any changes in advance.

Please note that some of the consultation time will be dedicated to performing clinically relevant tasks such as: writing clinical notes, reviewing specialist reports, evaluating pathology results, anthropometric data, dietary records, sign/symptom journals, health risk assessments and appointment scheduling.

Payment can be made via bank transfer or card types including Visa, Mastercard, and bank/issues EFTPOS/debit cards. A surcharge of 2.2% will be applied for payments made by card transactions. For those entitled to a Medicare or private health insurance rebate, you will be required to pay the scheduled consultation fee in full and thereafter claim the rebate entitlement online or at a local branch using receipt of payment provided.
You may be entitled to receive a rebate for consultations allocated to dietitian services through the Medicare Benefits Schedule or via Private Health Insurance. You cannot use both Medicare rebates and private health claims in the one appointment if entitled to both, however you can consider starting with one converting to the other when rebate entitlement limits are reached.
If you have a GP arranged Team Care Arrangement Plan (TCA), Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) or Eating Disorder Care Plan (EDP) for allied health services, you will be eligible for a Medicare rebate of ~$58.30 for each consultation allocated to dietitian services per calendar year (rebate current as of 1/06/2024).

The number of visits available in a calendar year under the TCA/EPC allied health services is 5, and can be made up of one type of service (e.g. 5 Dietitian services) or a combination of different types of services depending on your needs (e.g. 2 services with a Exercise Physiologist, 1 service with a Diabetes Educator and 2 services with a Dietitian) depending on your needs. Under an EDP plan, up to 20 dietetic services from an Accredited Practising Dietitian can be allocated over a 12 month period, as well as up to 40 sessions of evidence-based psychological treatment from a mental health professional.

Often those with complex medical needs or coexisting medical issues will benefit from more dietetic visits than the Medicare plan specifies. Medicare aims to assist with a portion of costs involved but does not cover all the expenses associated with healthcare.

Discuss your eligibility for these types of referrals with your GP. You have the right to choose your service provider and it is valuable to see a practitioner with expertise in your area of concern. Medicare appointments allocated to dietetic services can attract a rebate whether in person or via Telehealth. This plan must be developed and all relevant paperwork provided prior to your appointment for you to be eligible for the rebate.
The Medicare Safety Net provides a higher Medicare benefit to support people who have spent over a certain threshold on medical expenses during a calendar year, 1 January to 31 December. It is intended to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses for those requiring out of hospital services and regular consultations with a doctor, multiple specialists or allied health clinicians and/or require certain medical tests/scans to be performed.

Medicare automatically calculates your out-of-pocket costs (for all specialist, allied health, psychologist, and GP visits) in each calendar year, and once you spend over a certain threshold amount, you will be given the usual Medicare rebate listed above PLUS 80% or more of the remaining gap fee for the remainder of the calendar year once you reach your safety net threshold.

If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can sign in to check your threshold amount. You can also check your threshold by using the Express Plus Medicare Mobile app. For more information on Medicare Safety net thresholds , refer to the Services Australia website.
If you have private health insurance with ‘extras cover’, you may be able to claim benefits towards consultations with a dietitian, depending on your level of cover. Contact your private health provider prior to your consultation to enquire about your eligibility for dietitian related services and quoting item codes 500 & 600, and Telehealth item codes 301 & 302.

Privacy, Policies and Disclaimers

The deposit/payment requested for your chosen service is to secure your appointment and must be received at least 48 hours on business days before your scheduled appointment; otherwise your appointment will risk being cancelled.

An invoice will be generated once your appointment has been confirmed and payment requested via bank transfer to avoid credit card surcharges. If you would prefer to make a payment via credit card, this can be requested however a credit card surcharge of 2.2% will be applied to payments made using this method.

The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel or reschedule your appointment with at least 48 hours notice on business days (excluding weekends and public holidays). Please note that credit card surcharges are non-refundable.

The appointment time is reserved exclusively for you and a late cancellation can mean that this time cannot be filled with another patient. Therefore, cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice on business days (excluding weekends and public holidays) or missed appointments (including arriving 15 minutes late or more) will result in the full consultation fee deposit being forfeited (with no Medicare or private health insurance rebate available). For example, an appointment scheduled for 10:30am on Monday must be cancelled by 10:30am on the prior Thursday to avoid forfeiting the full consultation fee deposit.

As specified in the cancellation policy, the aim is not to make profit from cancellation fees, rather to make sure those appointment times are kept available for others who need them and in order to respect your clinician’s time. It is understood however that unforeseen situations and emergency events can arise and short notice may occasionally be unavoidable in which discretion will be exercised in such cases.

Your time is valuable and it is appreciated this understanding is reciprocated. All consultations require 48 hours or more notice of cancellation and rescheduling. Reminder emails are sent 2-7 days prior to your appointment. Any cancellations that occur 48 hours or more before the scheduled time are able to be re-booked at no additional cost. Late cancellation of appointments or failure to attend an appointment may attract a cancellation fee as follows:

  • Payment of 100% of the fee if less than 48 hours’ notice provided
  • Payment of 100% for failure to attend without prior notification
The aim is not to make profit from cancellation fees, rather to make sure those appointment times are kept available for others who need them and in order to respect your clinician’s time. It is understood however that unforeseen situations and emergency events can arise and short notice may occasionally be unavoidable in which discretion will be exercised in such cases.

Arriving on time for your scheduled appointments will ensure the provision of enough time to properly address your needs and fulfil the service agenda, as well as support the delivering of the highest level of care and care experience.

If you arrive less than 15 minutes late, your appointment will still conclude at its scheduled time. If you arrive 15 minutes late or more, your appointment will be considered a no-show due to time constraints and the Cancellation Policy conditions will apply.

Some Australian states observe daylight saving time. To avoid arriving late or missing your appointment due to time zone differences, ensure you have scheduled the correct time (per your appointment confirmation details) into your calendar and send an enquiry if clarification is required.

Protecting your private information is priority. The provision of health care and medical nutrition therapy requires the collection of information about you for the primary purpose of providing a high-quality personalised service. The Privacy Policy provides information on how personally identifiable information may be collected and how it may be used. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure your personal information remains confidential throughout all methods of collection, communication and correspondence and complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (“Privacy Act”) and the applicable Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act.
The Electronic Communication Policy provides information on how electronic documents, notices and signatures to facilitate transactions and communications via mobile phone, messages, e-mail and any kind of online communications will be used. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure your personal information remains confidential throughout all methods of collection, communication and correspondence and complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (“Privacy Act”) and the applicable Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act.

The information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. Its is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice or personally tailored healthcare advice delivered by qualified healthcare professional. You should always consult primary medical doctor to determine the appropriateness of this information for your own health and wellbeing or if you have any questions regarding any opinions expressed about a medical condition, a therapy or treatment plan or in any linked materials. Please inform your primary medical doctor and/or chosen qualified healthcare practitioner of any changes you make to your diet or lifestyle as you may need to be under supervision.

The information provided on this website is believed to be accurate based on the best judgement of the author and their interpretation of the scientific evidence at the time of writing. Amanda Cini, trading as Fuelling Wellness will not accept any responsibility for the actions or consequential results of any action taken by an individual reading information on this website, or for the content or accuracy of any linked third-party sites. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for such sites.