Gold Coast Doctors

Mermaid Central Medical Clinic’s Practicing Doctors

Practising Doctors

Dr Christian Allen

General Practitioner, MBBS, BBiomedSc, DCH, FRACGP

Speaks English and Danish

Originally from Northern NSW, Dr Christian Allen relocated to the Gold Coast to study biomedical science and medicine at Griffith University. He now lives locally with his family and practices comprehensive family medicine with a warm, thoughtful approach.

Dr Allen completed an additional 12 months of paediatrics training—including work in the Special Care Nursery and the Children’s Critical Care Unit—and holds a Certificate in Child Health. He has also gained broad experience across mental health, chronic disease management, and preventive care.

He is passionate about helping individuals and families manage their long-term health, with a particular focus on general practice, diabetes, mental health, and healthy lifestyle support.

Outside the clinic, Dr Allen enjoys spending time with his young family, exploring emerging technologies, and staying active.

Areas of interest:

  • General Medicine
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Mental Health
  • Child Health
  • Geriatrics
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity and Weight Management
 Appointment Types and Fees:
(Effective July 1st, 2025)

Fee: $110,
Out-of-pocket: $66.10,
MBS item 23 Rebate: $43.90,
EMSN out of pocket: $13.20

Ideal for:

  • Scripts
  • Simple concerns
  • Brief follow-ups
  • One straightforward issue

Even for a “quick script,” your safety matters. Every prescription includes a review of your medical history, potential interactions, and treatment suitability.

Fee: $280
Medicare Rebate (Item 36): $84.90
Out-of-pocket: $195.10
EMSN out-of-pocket: $39.00

Ideal for:

  • Multiple concerns
  • Care transitions from another GP
  • Chronic condition reviews
  • Mental health care plans

Please send any relevant records to admin@mermaidmc.com.au prior to your appointment or bring them along.

Additional billing options:

Chronic Disease Care Plan (Item 965)
Rebate: $156.55 | Out-of-pocket: $63.45

Mental Health Care Plan (Item 2715)
Rebate: $106.20 | Out-of-pocket: $173.80

Fee: $500
Medicare Rebate (Item 123): $202.65
Out-of-pocket: $297.35
EMSN out-of-pocket: $59.45

Ideal for:

  • ADHD or complex mental health
  • Multiple chronic conditions
  • In-depth health planning

This session provides a comprehensive assessment and management plan. While it may seem like a higher cost upfront, it often saves time and visits down the line.

What is the EMSN?

The Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) provides an increased Medicare benefit for Australian families and individuals who have high out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services, once the annual threshold is reached. This benefit is up to 80% of future out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital Medicare services for the rest of the calendar year, subject to caps on some services. Learn more here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-safety-nets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):

Seeing the GP first helps clarify your symptoms and can speed up your referral. The GP provides detailed information for the psychiatrist, which often shortens your wait time and helps you get the right care faster.

Not always. The GP’s initial testing sets a strong foundation, saving time on early steps. Sometimes, the psychiatrist may need additional tests for more detail, but the GP’s work speeds up the process.

The GP’s assessment lets us explore your overall health, identify other possible issues, and prepare a full picture for the psychiatrist. This means you get more complete and faster care from both the GP and psychiatrist.

We can’t guarantee timing, but a detailed GP referral often gets a response within 3 months. Basic referrals can sometimes mean waiting up to 12 months. A full GP assessment can help you get seen sooner.

Yes and but by investing in a comprehensive initial assessment the GP gives the psychiatrist important background, which usually means faster and more focused care. It’s recommended for a smoother referral.

If you prefer the psychiatrist to manage your mental health and prescriptions this can also be arranged. If you would like your GP to manage your medications then you may still need to see the psychiatrist every 12-24 months according to current QLD regulations.

The GP reviews your symptoms, does initial testing, and checks for related conditions. This helps the psychiatrist focus on what’s needed, so you get thorough care without delays.

Managing ADHD isn’t just about taking medication. The GP can adjust doses if needed, check for side effects, and address any other health issues. It’s generally quicker and more affordable to see the GP regularly.

No, regular GP visits are required for safe and proper care. The GP needs to check your response to medication and make sure your treatment meets the official care guidelines.

If you’re a regular patient of another doctor who is currently unavailable, Dr. Allen is happy to assist. To ensure your safety, we’ll review your medical history and confirm the prescription is appropriate for your needs. Some scripts may require prior application and approval from the QLD Health Chief Executive and may not be available on the day of consultation. The application process can take several weeks. Please book a long consultation (30 minutes)

This depends on your individual situation and complexity, and it will be assessed case by case. If you’re unsure, you can book a standard consultation to discuss your circumstances with the GP. Note that to qualify for telehealth, you must have an initial face-to-face consultation with the GP or have seen another GP in the clinic within the last 12 months.

The regulations in NSW and other states differ from those in QLD regarding psychostimulants and ADHD. It would be more appropriate for you to see a GP in your own state to ensure compliance with local regulations.

There are psychiatrists who see patients for ADHD locally, but their wait times are often very long, or they have closed their books to new referrals.

Not necessarily. Please arrange for the transfer of your records prior to the consultation and book a standard consultation. The GP will review your management to date and discuss your options with you.

No, this isn’t appropriate. Understanding your situation and condition requires a comprehensive assessment first. If the upfront fees for a complex consultation are too expensive, we can break down your issues into several standard consultations. Depending on your complexity, this may require two or more standard consultations.

Yes, please book a 30-minute consultation as Medicare requires a minimum consultation duration of 20 minutes for patient’s to access their rebate for a mental health care plan MBS item 2715.