SmartClinics Taigum Family Medical Centre

Dr Driessen is so lovely and I feel genuinely listened to and taken time with every time I have an appointment with her. I spent a while searching various clinics for a doctor that I could build a relationship with and I've found that in Dr Driessen. The reception staff are really friendly as well! One star docked because sometimes have to wait past my appointment time if the doctor is running late, however there's a TV in the waiting area so keeps me occupied!

I've been to the practice twice to see two different doctors as my usual GP wasn't available, and both times have been very disappointing. The doctors were rude, rushed and didn't order all the tests I needed and both times they didn't give me much information about my results via telehealth appointments. I've had to go back to my regular GP and start over again. Really uncaring - these were male doctors, I've had positive experiences with the woman GPs at this practice when I had my bub.

Dr Lazzarini was a joke. Spent the whole time interrupting me and lectured me about a condition I already knew about as I had it for a decade. Did not provide any medical attention or basic human respect. As I was trying to talk about a separate issue she just laughed and invalidated my heath concerns. Forced to go to Taigum Center to get proper treatment. Ended up paying for a ton of money just to be disrespectful and coming away with the same concern. She ended the appointment harshly and the whole time she didn’t listen to me nor did she care. I wonder how she became a doctor. Worst person ever. She’s very inconsiderate.

The doctors here are great. They are very caring and, from my experience, they won’t just fob you off with a prescription just to get rid of you. The nursing staff are awesome. The admin staff are very polite and friendly. However, there are a lot of negatives. I have been with this practice for more than 10 years and I’m not a frequent flyer but I find it difficult to get an appointment. If you need a repeat prescription and can book a week or two in advance it’s not too bad. But if you are actually ill, too ill to go to work and need a certificate, then don’t come here. On occasions I’ve been told they are fully booked and to go elsewhere. And that’s when I phoned as soon as they open. They can’t backdate sick certificates but they can’t give you an appointment either! And I have only asked for two sick certs in 13 years. Phoning the surgery for an appointment or tests results is a problem too. They do answer quickly then, after establishing it’s not an emergency, will put you on hold for a long time. It’s unusual not to wait a long time after your appointment time to see your doctor. The admin staff know this and suggest you call before you leave home to see how late they are running. So they are doubling up on phones calls; one to make the appointment and one to see what time you should really arrive. And this is an expensive practice. As at today it’s about $ 76.00 for a standard appointment with about half of that being paid by Medicare. Something has gone wrong here. Perhaps they have taken on too many patients yet allocate too little time. Something has got to give if they still want to charge such high prices. Now Dr Ruth has left, I’m going to find a bulk billing practice nearer to home.