GPs

Attending a GP practice on a regular basis is important to maintaining and protecting your health.

The more comfortable you are with your GP, the easier it will be to talk with them about your health problems and needs. It will also allow your GP to build a detailed medical history for you.

In Australia you can choose which GP practice you attend. To find out what practices are in your area you can:

• ask family and friends for their recommendations
• search the telephone directory or online under ‘medical practitioners’
• search the National Health Services Directory
• speak to local chemists as they often know of nearby GP practices.

Before making a decision you may want to call the practice to ask:

• When is the practice open?
• Is the practice easy to get to? Is it close to public transport, or is there reasonable car parking nearby?
• How long can it take to see a doctor?
• What fees are payable? Does the practice bulk bill?
• Are both male and female doctors available? You may prefer to see a male or female GP for certain health problems.
• Do any of the doctors speak languages other than English?

After hours GP services

Some GPs see patients outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends.

Find out more about GP after hours services.

If your own doctors are unavailable you can telephone healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for health advice. healthdirect is a 24 hour, 7 day a week health advice line available to anyone calling from within Western Australia. Experienced registered nurses will provide immediate advice on how urgent your problem is and what to do about it.

GP Urgent Care clinic

There is a large network of GP practices in Perth that can provide GP urgent care services so people can receive the most appropriate care without the need to attend an emergency department. GP urgent care is treating people with urgent (required on the day), but non-life threatening injury and illness that is typically treated within the usual scope of general practice.

When should I go to a GP Urgent Care clinic?

GP Urgent Care clinics provide treatment for urgent minor injury and illness (required on the day), but non-life threatening, that is typically treated within the usual scope of general practice.

What types of minor injuries and illness are treated at a GP urgent care clinic?

• Musculoskeletal injuries such as minor fractures, sports injuries and minor neck and back pain
• Skin and soft tissue infections and symptoms, such as cuts and lacerations, mild burns and rashes, bites and insect stings
• Gastrointestinal illnesses
• Illnesses of the eye, ear, nose and throat
• Other potentially urgent medical symptoms such as urinary tract infections and wound infections and abdominal pain.

What services are provided at a GP Urgent Care clinic?

GP urgent care clinics will have access to pathology and radiology services. They will also include fully equipped treatment rooms to apply sutures, plastering and conduct minor procedures.

Where can I find a GP Urgent Care clinic?

You can find a GP Urgent Care clinic by searching the healthdirect directory (external site).

Do I need to make an appointment for a GP Urgent Care clinic?

Yes. You can make an appointment quickly and easily by searching for a GP Urgent Care clinic on the directory, selecting your chosen clinic and selecting 'Book now'.

How to book a GP Urgent Care clinic appointment online

Before your appointment, think about why you are visiting the GP and make a list of any questions you have. Find out what you can about your family’s medical history as this can help your GP to identify your health issues.

During the appointment, be honest with your doctor about your concerns. Also remember to tell them about any treatment you are having or medications you are taking.

Yes, you may need to pay for your GP appointment. If you are not eligible for Medicare you will pay the full cost.

Some GPs may choose not to charge you for your appointment but will bulk-bill instead. This means Medicare (external site) will pay for your appointment. It is the GP’s decision whether to bulk-bill a patient. Many GPs choose to bulk-bill pensioners and Health Care Card holders.

If your doctor does not bulk-bill, they will give you a patient account. Medicare will pay for some of the cost of your appointment and you pay the remainder to the GP.

Remember to take your Medicare card (external site) to your appointment, and your Health Care Card (external site) if you have one.

Visit the Medicare website (external site) for more information on bulk-billing, patient accounts and how to claim your benefit.

Yes, but you are encouraged to first talk to the GP or practice about your concerns.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this discussion, you can contact the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) which provides a free resolution service for complaints about health or disability services in Western Australia. Visit HaDSCO's website (external site) for more information about the complaints process.

You can also notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) about a GP’s conduct, health or performance. See the AHPRA website (external site) for more information.

Note:

• GPs work in private practices.
• The Australian Government is responsible for GP funding and policy.
• WA Health does not oversee or provide GP services.