Helping students access the health care they need
Ipswich State High School is proud to be one of 50 schools participating the Queensland Government's GPs in State Schools Program which aims to improve secondary students' access to healthcare and wellbeing. Our school's GP clinic has operating since March, 2021.
NP Shane Hourihan a Nurse Practitioner (NP) from Top Health Doctors – Beenleigh, is currently providing the service and has been with us since February, 2025.
What services will the NP be providing?
NP Shane provides students with the majority of the same services that GPs in the community do, including management of physical health, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues. Only secondary students enrolled at Ipswich State High School are able to access healthcare in our school's clinic.
How can my child make an appointment with the NP?
Our school's GP clinic is open every Wednesday during school terms between 9am and 3pm. Appointments are available in your child's lunch break or class time, whichever is most suitable for them.
Booking an appointment to see the school NP is easy – your student can use their Student Intranet, click on the 'NP Appointment' button, fill out the form, then wait to receive an email with their appointment details. They can also talk to Miss Felicity on Wednesday's in clinic (CS02) from 8:30am. Alternatively, if you would like to make an appointment for your child, you can contact the ISHS on 3813 4488 and ask to speak with Miss Felicity or email gp_admin@ipswichshs.eq.edu.au
How much will it cost for my child to see the NP at school?
All visits with the school NP are provided at no cost to students or their families. The NP bulk-bills all appointments through Medicare, so it is important that your child brings their Medicare card or number with them to their appointment.
If students are ineligible to access Medicare, the cost of the appointment (equivalent to the Medicare rebate) will be billed to the school.
When can a young person get their own Medicare card?
Young people can apply for their own Medicare card when they turn 15 years of age. They will need to complete an application process through Services Australia. The NP can help your child with this process.
Where will my child's medical records be kept?
The medical records will belong to the NP (in the case of sole operator NPs) or the NP's base clinic Top Health Doctors – Beenleigh, where they will be securely stored. The school will not be able to access your child's medical records.
Can my child consent (agree) to their own medical treatment?
In Queensland, young people under the age of 18 can consent to their own medical treatment if they are determined to be a mature minor. Young people who are not deemed to be a mature minor cannot give consent to their own medical treatment and consent will be sought from parents/carers.
What does “mature minor" mean?
Mature minors are young people under the age of 18 years who are determined by a medical professional to be capable of providing informed consent for treatment of a particular health issue without having the permission of a parent or carer.
How will the school NP decide whether a young person is a mature minor?
To decide whether a young person is a mature minor and can consent to their own medical treatment, the NP will consider a range of factors, including:
- the young person's age;
- maturity in other areas of the young person's life;
- independence – whether they live at home with a parent or carer, or support themselves;
- how serious the treatment is; and
- if the young person understands what their health issue is, why treatment is needed, what the treatment involves, what other options they have, things that might go wrong (like side effects from drugs, or other complications), and what happens if there is no treatment.
Any student at Ipswich State High School who wants to make an appointment with the school NP can do so. The NP will then determine if the student is a mature minor for the health issue for which they are seeking treatment.
It is important to understand that this is the same process that would occur if your child were to see a doctor in any GP clinic in the community.
What if my child is not a mature minor?
The decision about whether a young person is a mature minor might be different depending on the nature of the health issue. If the NP decides your child is not a mature minor, they must get your consent before any medical treatment is provided.
What if my child already has a GP?
If your child already has a GP but would like to see the NP at school, your child's medical records can be transferred. This is what happens in GP clinics in the community. This sharing of records is important and encouraged so that all health providers your child sees have up-to-date information.
If your child is a mature minor, they can consent to the transfer of their own medical records. If your child is not a mature minor, consent to the transfer their medical records must be provided by their parent or carer.
Can I come to the appointment with my child?
Yes, if your child would like you to. Parent/carer involvement is encouraged. We recognise that parents and carers can be an important source of support and information for young people in managing their health and wellbeing.
If your child is not a mature minor, then it is up to you as the parent/carer whether you wish to accompany your child to their NP appointment.
Will the NP involve me?
There will be many circumstances in which it will be helpful or necessary for you to be involved.
If your child is not a mature minor, the NP will always seek to involve you. If your child is deemed to be a mature minor by the NP, the NP may see them alone if that is what your child wants. However, the GP will often encourage your child to involve you in their care.
Can the NP refer (send) my child to other health services if needed?
Yes. In most instances, NP Shane will encourage your child to include you in these referrals.
What if I don't want my child to see a NP?
You should talk about this with your child, and with the school. Generally, all secondary students will be considered mature enough to decide to see the NP on their own. The NP will then determine if your child is a mature minor for the reason they are visiting the clinic. This approach is the same for GP clinics in the community.
Would I ever find out about my child's NP visit?
If the NP decides that your child is a mature minor, their health information cannot be discussed with you or anyone else unless your child says it is OK to share, or the sharing of the information is permitted or required by law. This is called confidentiality.
The following are examples of when the sharing of health information is permitted or required by law:
- Your child consents to sharing the information.
- Sharing information is necessary to prevent a serious threat to public health, safety or welfare – e.g. your child has an illness that must be notified to the Department of Health.
- Sharing information is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious and imminent threat to any person's health, safety or welfare.
If your child is a mature minor, to maintain confidentiality, school staff are not able tell you when your child has seen the NP unless your child agrees, or the sharing of information is permitted or required by law.
What if my child is not eligible for a Medicare card?
The intention of providing a GP clinic at Ipswich State High School is to provide students with free access to a GP/NP, to make it easier for students to access the healthcare they need.
If your child is not eligible for a Medicare card, they are still able to access the school NP free of charge.
The cost will be billed to the school.