How to prepare for your appointment

New patients are always welcome. A referral is necessary for your cardiac consultation.

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

1. Get a referral

A valid referral from your GP or other Specialist will allow you to schedule an appointment with us.

2. Book an appointment

Contact us to schedule your appointment & receive your patient intake form.

You’ll need a valid referral from your GP or other specialist for your appointment at Coast Cardiology.

Referrals from GPs are valid for 12 months while specialist referrals are typically valid for 3 months.

Your doctor can complete it online for urgent appointments. Learn more here.

Complete Referral Form Online

Contact us on 6584 3548 to schedule your appointment.

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

  • List of medications
  • Any recent test results
  • Patient Information Form

Please bring a detailed list of all current medications, including dosages, to your appointment. If you have recent test results or relevant medical notes, please bring these also.

We’ll also ask you to complete a Patient Information Form. You may complete the form online, or attend our rooms 15 minutes prior to your appointment and we can provide you with a printed copy to fill out.

Complete Patient Information Form Online
We’ll phone to provide a reminder of your appointment and confirm your attendance 48 hours in advance.

FOR STRESS TESTS

  • Arrive 15 minutes early to sign consent form.

Please note: Patients attending for a Stress Test are required to complete a consent form in person before testing can begin. 

AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

  • Baseline testing
  • Cardiology consultation
  • Discussion of next steps

Your first appointment will begin with doing some baseline testing in the clinic with our cardiac support team. Following these tests, you’ll meet with one of our cardiologists for a specialist assessment including history, examination and targeted investigations.

We’ll discuss next steps together, including any further testing that might be needed, and determine a plan to take control of your heart health.

We want to empower you with an understanding of the cardiac care available and will answer any questions you may have. We want you to feel confident when making decisions about your treatment options.

Please allow approx 1 hour for this appointment.

WHAT TO WEAR

For your comfort, we recommend both men and women wear comfortable shoes and two-piece, loose fitting clothing to your appointment to allow for the placement of electrodes during testing. 

A disposable gown or sheet will be provided for privacy.

For more details about specialised cardiac appointments and what to expect, visit our services page.

OUR FEES

We are committed to providing experienced, high quality, personable and affordable services to the Hastings-Macleay Area.

While we are not a Bulk Billing practice, our gap fees are well below the Australian Medical Association recommendations for specialised Cardiology services. Concessions are available for DVA patients, Pensioners and Health Care Card Holders.

If you are in any way concerned about how to cover the cost of your appointment, please contact us.

MEDICARE REBATE

Ensure your bank account details are current with Medicare prior to your appointment. This way the rebate can be processed at the time of your appointment and be paid into your nominated account within 24 – 48 hours.

CANCELLATIONS

As our practice is heavily booked, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to make your appointment. This allows us to offer your appointment to another patient, and rebook your visit to Coast Cardiology for our next available opening. Please note that missed appointments may result in a lengthy delay in seeing a cardiologist.

Contact us to schedule your appointment today

PHONE (02) 6584 3548

New patients are always welcome. A referral is necessary for your first cardiac consultation.

For general enquiries relating to bookings, referrals and patient care, please email
admin@coastcardiology.com.au

For all other correspondence, including feedback and employment opportunities at Coast Cardiology, please email
generalmanager@coastcardiology.com.au

Major event sponsors of the Beach 2 Brother Trail Running Festival, with proceeds raised proudly supporting Hastings Little Wishes.

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Jaki Bowden

MEDICAL RECEPTIONST
Jaki has always been a people person and has been working in medical administration and reception since 2010. Working at the Private Hospital and specialist practices over the years she has gained invaluable knowledge and disseminates her knowledge to give a better understanding of processes to the unknown.

Jaki finds delight talking with our diverse range of patients about their life experiences. She is an active person, who you may see around town walking her dog and enjoys sighting the wildlife of Port Macquarie.

Jill McKittrick

MEDICAL RECEPTIONST
Jill has been working in medical administration and reception for over twelve years which has enabled her to gain a vast and diverse skill set. Over this time, Jill has gained her knowledge across both general and specialist practices and she is keen to share this experience with her colleagues and patients at Coast Cardiology.

Jill is excited to provide all patients with an efficient and friendly experience in their dealings with Coast Cardiology. Jill and her family have lived in Ellenborough, west of Port Macquarie, for over twenty years and she looks forward to greeting you all when you visit the practice.

Marella Edwards

MEDICAL RECEPTIONST/NURSING ASSISTANT
A Lifelong Passion for Helping others.

Marella’s journey began during high school, where she volunteered working at a local nursing home. From this experience, Marella then felt drawn to the healthcare field.

Growing up in Port Macquarie, she was surrounded by natural beauty and a strong sense of community. Her caring nature and desire to help others led her to pursue a career in healthcare.

Marella has medical knowledge and training in Electrocardiogram (ECG's) Holter Monitors and much more, which she uses to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Playing an integral role in patient care, the information she provides helps doctors determine appropriate treatments and courses of action.

Marella feels fortunate to do work that is both personally fulfilling and contributes value to the community. Marella’s path in healthcare has truly been a ‘hearts calling’.

Jaala Buckmaster

OFFICE MANAGER

Jaala is an experienced and dedicated professional with over 14 years of experience in the specialist medical field as a medical secretary and receptionist, with 13 of those years focused specifically on cardiology. Her passion for this field began when she started working as an administrator in cardiology right after completing high school, and she has continued to develop her expertise and knowledge ever since.

As a senior medical administrator, Jaala has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the cardiology field. She has received training in Electrocardiogram (ECG's) and Holter Monitors and is always ready to assist patients within her practice. Her attention to detail and patient-focused approach have earned her a reputation for providing high-quality care and service.

Jaala has lived in the Camden Haven for the past 16 years, establishing a long-term home for her young family. She takes pride in supporting the local community in various endeavors, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact wherever she goes.

As an Office Manager, Jaala's experience, knowledge, and dedication is invaluable. She is detail-oriented, patient-focused, and has a deep understanding of the medical field. She is eager to bring her skills and expertise to any new challenge and is committed to making a meaningful contribution to her new team.

Michelle Hoy

CARDIAC SONOGRAPHER/TECHNICIAN

Michelle began her career in cardiology in 1996 and was lucky enough to move to Port Macquarie 20 years ago.

Michelle completed her bachelor degree at Wollongong University. She continued her cardiology training at Westmead Hospital, where Michelle was involved in working with pacemakers in the cardiac labs in addition to being involved in cardiac research. At Coast Cardiology, she performs echoes, stress testing and has a special interest in electrophysiology.

Michelle is an enthusiastic member of the team and enjoys supporting the community of the Mid North Coast.

Karen Hillcoat

CARDIAC SONOGRAPHER
Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (Cardiac), AMS

Obtaining her Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (Cardiac) in 1994, Karen has been instrumental in establishing imaging cardiac investigation services in the region. Karen has been a cardiac sonographer for almost 40 years and has been an examiner for the Queensland Ultrasound of Technology course. For more than 20 years , Karen has been performing echoes, stress echoes and other cardiac investigations in the Mid North Coast area.

Committed to supporting the local community, Karen has also been involved with an indigenous cardiac clinic in Kempsey since 2017.

In addition, Karen regularly attends cardiac conferences, learning the latest developments in diagnostic cardiac ultrasound, and has organised and presented at regional professional meetings.

Karen is passionate about teaching echocardiography and has been actively involved in the training of echo technicians and medical students, as well as doctors at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital and other hospitals.

Melinda Prados

BUSINESS MANAGER

Melinda oversees the business operations at Coast Cardiology. With two postgraduate degrees and over 15 years of corporate, business and retail financial management experience, Mel ensures we continue to function efficiently and safely - delivering the best possible care for our patients keeping costs as low as possible without compromising quality of care.

Mel moved to Port Macquarie 11 years ago and enjoys spending time in the community with her young family. She is actively involved in long distance triathlon events and promoting healthy living to improve long term health outcomes.