Frequently Asked Questions

About Future Health

  • Future Health is a doctor-led preventive medicine service designed to help you understand your current health, identify future risks early and preserve the physical and cognitive capability that matters most to you.

    Rather than waiting until disease develops, Future Health focuses on recognising opportunities for prevention while there is still the greatest opportunity to influence long-term health.

    Using evidence-based medicine, lifestyle medicine and comprehensive assessment, we create a personalised roadmap to help you optimise your future health, independence and quality of life.

  • Future Health is designed for adults who want to take a proactive approach to their health.

    Many people attend because they:

    • want to stay healthy as they age

    • have a family history of chronic disease

    • are noticing changes in energy, fitness or body composition

    • are navigating midlife or menopause

    • want to understand their personal health risks

    • want evidence-based advice rather than conflicting online information

    • are interested in optimising long-term health rather than simply treating illness.

    You do not need to have symptoms to benefit from a Future Health Assessment.

  • Traditional healthcare is largely designed to diagnose and treat illness once it develops.

    Future Health has a different focus.

    Appointments are longer and designed to explore your health in greater depth, including your medical history, lifestyle, body composition, physical capability, nutrition, exercise habits, sleep, family history and future health goals.

    Rather than focusing only on current symptoms, we also consider the factors that influence your health over the coming decades.

    The aim is not simply to detect disease, but to identify opportunities to preserve capability, independence and healthspan before problems arise.

  • Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based medical specialty that focuses on preventing, treating and, where possible, improving chronic disease through sustainable lifestyle interventions.

    Key areas include:

    • nutrition

    • physical activity

    • sleep

    • stress management

    • healthy relationships

    • reducing harmful substances

    • behaviour change.

    Lifestyle Medicine complements conventional medical care rather than replacing it.

    At Future Health, lifestyle interventions are considered alongside medical investigations, medications and other evidence-based treatments where appropriate.

  • No.

    Many chronic diseases develop silently over many years before symptoms appear.

    The greatest opportunity for prevention often exists before someone feels unwell.

    Many of our patients simply want to understand their health better, identify future risks and make informed decisions about maintaining long-term health.

  • Yes. Many people attending Future Health have existing medical conditions.

    Your assessment considers your current health, medical history and existing treatments while focusing on opportunities to optimise future health and reduce the impact of long-term disease.

    Where appropriate, recommendations will be made in collaboration with your regular GP and treating specialists.

Scope of Practice

  • No. Future Health is a doctor-led preventive medicine service with a specific focus on healthy ageing, lifestyle medicine and evidence-based prevention.

    It is not a traditional general practice, and we do not provide comprehensive primary care or replace your regular GP.

    We strongly encourage all patients to maintain an ongoing relationship with a regular GP for their general medical care.

  • No. Future Health appointments are designed specifically for preventive health assessment, personalised risk reduction and healthy ageing.

    Your regular GP remains the most appropriate doctor to coordinate your ongoing general healthcare, acute illnesses and routine medical needs.

  • Future Health focuses on areas such as:

    • Preventive health assessment

    • Healthy ageing

    • Lifestyle medicine

    • Women's midlife health and menopause

    • Men's midlife health

    • Cardiometabolic health

    • Body composition

    • Nutrition

    • Exercise medicine

    • Sleep optimisation

    • Preventive investigations

    • Future health planning

    The emphasis is on preserving long-term health, capability and independence.

  • Future Health is not designed for:

    • Acute illnesses such as coughs, colds or infections.

    • Emergency medical problems.

    • Ongoing management of unrelated chronic medical conditions.

    • Routine repeat prescriptions unrelated to preventive care.

    • Children's health.

    • Pregnancy care.

    • Hospital-based care.

    If you have an urgent medical concern, you should contact your regular GP or attend the nearest emergency department where appropriate.

  • Yes.

    Where clinically appropriate and within the scope of preventive medicine, Dr Kate may prescribe medications relevant to your assessment and personalised management plan.

    These may include treatments such as menopausal hormone therapy, vaginal oestrogen, testosterone (when clinically indicated), lipid-lowering medications, GLP-1 therapies and other evidence-based preventive treatments.

    Medication decisions are always made following an individual assessment and shared decision-making discussion.

  • Yes.

    If additional expertise would benefit your care, referrals can be made to specialists or allied health professionals as appropriate.

    Future Health works collaboratively with your existing healthcare team to support coordinated, patient-centred care.

  • With your consent, important findings and recommendations can be shared with your regular GP or other treating clinicians to help ensure continuity of care.

    Future Health is designed to complement—not replace—your existing healthcare team. Our goal is to work alongside your regular GP and other treating clinicians to help you optimise your long-term health, preserve capability and reduce the risk of future disease.

Appointments

  • Your Future Health journey begins before you arrive.

    Once your appointment is confirmed, you'll receive a comprehensive health questionnaire covering your:

    • Medical history

    • Family history

    • Current medications and supplements

    • Lifestyle

    • Nutrition

    • Physical activity

    • Sleep

    • Women's or men's health (where relevant)

    • Preventive screening

    • Personal health goals

    • Future health priorities

    These questionnaires allow us to understand your health in detail before we meet, meaning more of your appointment can be spent discussing what matters most to you.

  • Your first appointment is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of your current health and future priorities.

    Depending on your personalised assessment, this may include:

    • Review of your questionnaires

    • Discussion of your medical and family history

    • Body composition assessment

    • Physical capability assessment

    • Review of any previous investigations

    • Discussion of your personal goals

    • Identification of future health risks and strengths

    • Development of an initial Future Health Roadmap

    • Recommendations for any additional investigations that may be helpful

    Every assessment is personalised. The exact investigations and recommendations will depend on your individual circumstances.

  • Following your assessment you may receive:

    • A personalised Future Health Report.

    • Recommendations for any additional investigations.

    • A personalised Future Health Roadmap.

    • Lifestyle and preventive health recommendations.

    • Referrals where appropriate.

    • Recommendations regarding follow-up appointments or ongoing programs.

    Your plan is tailored to your individual goals and health priorities.

  • Recent results are often very helpful.

    Where appropriate, we will incorporate existing investigations into your assessment to avoid unnecessary duplication.

    Additional investigations are only recommended when they are likely to provide clinically useful information.

  • We understand that plans sometimes change.

    If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let us know as early as possible so the appointment can be offered to another patient.

    Please refer to our Cancellation Policy for applicable notice periods and fees.

  • Yes.

    Because appointments are significantly longer than standard medical consultations, late cancellations and non-attendance will incur a cancellation fee.

    Our current Cancellation Policy is available on our website and booking confirmation.

  • No.

    Most patients can book directly without a referral.

    However, referrals from GPs, specialists and allied health practitioners are always welcome.

  • Future Health is a private preventive medicine service and therefore does not attract any medicare rebate.

  • Most Allied health services or investigations recommended as part of your care may be eligible for private health insurance rebates, depending on your level of cover.

    Medical consultations are generally not claimable through private health insurance.

    We recommend checking directly with your health fund regarding your individual policy.

Investigations & Testing

  • Investigations are an important part of understanding your health, but they are only one piece of the overall picture.

    At Future Health, investigations are recommended to answer specific clinical questions—not simply because they are available.

    Recommendations are based on your medical history, family history, symptoms, examination findings, body composition, lifestyle, goals and the best available evidence.

    Our aim is to recommend investigations that are most likely to provide meaningful information and influence your future healthcare.

  • Recommendations are based on a combination of:

    • Your medical history.

    • Family history.

    • Current symptoms (where relevant).

    • Body composition.

    • Physical capability.

    • Lifestyle.

    • Previous investigations.

    • Personal health goals.

    • Current clinical guidelines.

    • The best available scientific evidence.

    The aim is to recommend investigations that add value to your care rather than performing unnecessary testing.

  • Yes.

    Recent investigations are often extremely useful.

    Where appropriate, existing pathology, imaging or specialist reports can be incorporated into your assessment, reducing unnecessary duplication.

    If additional investigations are recommended, these are usually because they answer questions that have not already been addressed.

  • Normal results are reassuring—but they are only part of the assessment.

    Future Health is about much more than identifying disease.

    We also assess the factors that influence how well you are likely to age, including body composition, muscle health, physical capability, sleep, nutrition, exercise habits and lifestyle.

    Many opportunities to improve long-term health exist even when traditional medical tests are normal.

  • Occasionally, investigations identify findings that require further assessment.

    If this occurs, we will explain the finding, discuss what it may mean and recommend the most appropriate next steps.

    This may include repeat testing, additional investigations or referral to your regular GP or an appropriate specialist.

  • Investigation costs vary depending on the test.

    Some investigations may be bulk billed or partially rebated through Medicare, while others are privately funded.

    Where possible, we will provide an estimate of expected costs before you proceed.

  • Future Health offers a wide range of pathology, imaging and functional assessments. Recommendations are personalised according to your health, goals and clinical assessment.

    See more information about investigations in the investigation library.

Programs & Follow-up

  • No.

    Many patients choose to have a comprehensive assessment and then continue their health journey with their regular GP.

    Others prefer ongoing support through one of our structured optimisation programs.

    The choice is entirely yours.

  • Programs are designed to provide structured support for people who would benefit from ongoing review, monitoring and optimisation.

    Programs may include areas such as:

    • Physical Capability e.g. strength or VO₂max re -testing

    • Nutrition

    • Behavioural Change

    • Body Composition Optimisation

    • Ongoing medication therapy review e.g. HRT/GLP-1 Optimisation

    • Exercise

    The most appropriate program depends on your individual assessment and goals.

  • Yes.

    Every patient receives an individualised Future Health Roadmap.

    Rather than providing generic advice, your roadmap prioritises the opportunities most likely to improve your future health based on your assessment findings and personal goals.

  • The ideal review interval varies between individuals.

    Some people choose annual reviews to monitor their health and update their roadmap.

    Others benefit from more frequent follow-up during periods of active change, such as:

    • Commencing menopausal hormone therapy.

    • Starting a GLP-1 medication.

    • Improving body composition.

    • Building muscle and strength.

    • Reviewing cardiometabolic risk factors.

    • Monitoring significant lifestyle changes.

    Your recommended review schedule will be tailored to your individual circumstances.

  • Yes.

    Health changes throughout life, and your roadmap should evolve with it.

    As new information becomes available—including changes in your health, new investigations, life events or emerging scientific evidence—your recommendations may be updated to reflect your current priorities.

  • Depending on your needs, ongoing programs may include additional education, coaching and structured follow-up designed to support long-term behaviour change and help you implement your personalised roadmap.

    The level of support is individualised and discussed with you before commencing any program.

  • No.

    Future Health is not a subscription or membership service.

    You are free to choose the level of care that best suits your needs, whether that is a once-off assessment, periodic reviews or participation in an ongoing program.

Consultation Fees & Investigations Costs

  • The cost of your assessment depends on the type of appointment and any additional advanced investigations that may be recommended and chosen to be undertaken by you.

    Current consultation fees are available on our online booking page.

    We will always discuss any expected costs before additional investigations are arranged.

  • No.

    Your consultation fee covers your medical assessment, clinical review, baseline investigations and testing, interpretation of results, personalised recommendations and development of your Future Health Roadmap.

    If additional advanced pathology, imaging or specialised testing is recommended, these are discussed prior to ordering in a shared care model.

    This approach ensures you only pay for investigations that are appropriate for your individual circumstances.

    See more information about investigations in the investigation library.

  • Some consultations and investigations may attract Medicare rebates where the relevant Medicare criteria are met.

    However, many aspects of preventive medicine and healthy ageing are not currently funded through Medicare.

    We will always advise you if a rebate may be available.

  • Medical consultations are generally not claimable through private health insurance.

    However, some allied health services or investigations recommended as part of your care may be eligible depending on your level of cover.

    We recommend contacting your health fund to confirm your individual entitlements.

  • Appointments are significantly longer than standard medical consultations and are reserved specifically for you.

    If you need to cancel or reschedule, we ask that you provide as much notice as possible.

    Late cancellations or non-attendance will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of consult fee. Full details are provided at the time of booking.

Women’s & Men’s Midlife Health

  • Yes.

    Supporting women through perimenopause, menopause and healthy ageing is one of the core areas of the practice.

    Every woman's experience is different. Your assessment considers not only current symptoms, but also the broader impact of menopause on muscle, bone, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, sleep, cognition, sexual health and long-term healthy ageing.

    Recommendations are personalised and may include education, lifestyle strategies, investigations and evidence-based medical treatments where appropriate.

  • Yes.

    Where appropriate, Dr Kate can assess your suitability for menopausal hormone therapy and prescribe treatment in accordance with current evidence and clinical guidelines.

    The decision to commence MHT is individualised and based on your medical history, symptoms, personal preferences, potential benefits and any relevant risks.

    Not every woman requires MHT, and not every woman is suitable. These decisions are made together through shared decision-making.

  • Yes, where clinically appropriate.

    Testosterone therapy may be considered for some women, particularly those experiencing hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), after a comprehensive assessment and discussion of the current evidence, potential benefits and limitations.

    Treatment is individualised and monitored carefully in accordance with contemporary clinical guidelines.

  • Yes.

    Future Health provides comprehensive preventive health assessments for both women and men.

    Many men attend to better understand their cardiovascular and metabolic health, body composition, fitness, sleep, hormone health and future risk of chronic disease.

    The focus is on helping men maintain long-term health, physical capability and quality of life.

  • Yes.

    Symptoms that may be related to testosterone deficiency require careful medical assessment, as many other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

    Where clinically appropriate, an assessment may include a detailed history, examination, pathology and discussion of contributing factors before considering treatment options.

  • Yes, where clinically appropriate.

    If testosterone deficiency is confirmed after appropriate assessment and other potential causes have been considered, treatment options can be discussed in accordance with current clinical guidelines.

    Not everyone with symptoms requires testosterone therapy, and treatment decisions are individualised.

  • Yes.

    Future Health is designed to complement—not replace—your existing healthcare team.

    With your consent, important findings and recommendations can be shared with your GP or other treating specialists to help ensure coordinated and consistent care.

Privacy & Confidentiality

  • Your privacy is extremely important to us.

    Your personal health information is stored securely in accordance with Australian privacy legislation and professional medical confidentiality requirements.

    Access to your information is restricted to authorised healthcare professionals involved in your care.

  • Only healthcare professionals involved in your care and authorised administrative staff have access to your information where required to provide clinical services.

    Your information is never shared with third parties without your consent unless required by law.

  • Only with your consent.

    If you would like your assessment findings or recommendations shared with your GP or another healthcare provider, we are happy to do so to support coordinated care.

  • No.

    Clinical decisions are never made by AI.

    AI will be used for scribing during the consult, please tell Dr Kate if you would prefer that not be done. 

    Your assessment, interpretation and recommendations are based on your individual circumstances and the clinical judgement of your treating doctor.

    Future Health has created secure clinical software that is used as a tool to improve efficiency, organisation and consistency, while all medical decisions remain the responsibility of your clinician.

  • Not without your knowledge and, where required, your consent.

    If de-identified information is ever used to improve services or contribute to research, this will occur in accordance with applicable ethical and privacy requirements.

  • Yes.

    You may request access to your health information in accordance with Australian privacy legislation.

    Please contact the practice if you wish to obtain copies of your records.

Practical Information

  • Appointments are currently available at:

    PMQ Health 
    2/2 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie 

    Detailed directions will be provided with your booking confirmation.

  • Yes. Street parking is available in front of the building.

    Parking information for your appointment location will be included in your booking confirmation.

  • Yes.

    Please contact us before your appointment if you have any accessibility requirements so we can ensure appropriate arrangements are made.

  • Yes.

    Appointments can be booked online through our booking system.

  • Comfortable clothing is recommended, particularly if your assessment includes body composition or physical capability testing.

    Specific preparation instructions will be provided before your appointment.

  • Yes. You will need to fast prior to your initial consult for approximately 2 hours prior to your DEXA and InBody scans. Further instruction will be provided in your booking email.

    Additionally, some of the blood tests will require fasting.

  • We're happy to help.

    If you're unsure whether Future Health is right for you or have questions that aren't answered on our website, please contact us before booking and we'll be happy to assist.

    admin@drkate.com.au