Finding a family GP

About the GP

A family doctor is also known as a GP or general practitioner.

Your GP is usually the first person to see if you have concerns about your health or your child’s health. The GP can refer you to specialists or for tests if you need them.

Your GP can help you with things like early childhood checks, preventive health screening, immunisation, diet, and mental health and wellbeing advice.

Your GP’s health advice and support is essential to helping your child grow and develop well in childhood and adolescence. The GP is also there to care for your health and wellbeing. When you’re physically, emotionally and mentally well, it helps your child thrive.

Why finding the right GP is important

It’s important to find a GP who suits your needs and your family’s needs.

Your relationship with your family GP is very personal. That’s why it’s important for you to feel comfortable with your GP, trust them, and have confidence that they understand your family’s needs.

Some families already have a relationship with a GP they’ve come to know and trust. For other families, it might take some time for this relationship to develop, especially if they’ve just started seeing a new GP.

If it’s possible, a long-term relationship with your GP is important for your family’s current and future health.

One GP for the whole family?

Having one GP for the whole family often works well. GPs are trained and experienced in treating people of all ages.

But sometimes it works better to have one GP for yourself and another one for your children, particularly as they get older. For example, some GPs specialise in particular areas like women’s health or adolescent health.

You might also find that one GP might not meet all your needs. For example, some people might want to see a GP of the same gender or cultural background, or they might prefer a particular GP for some medical problems and another GP for others.

Most GPs won’t mind if you choose to have more than one GP, but it’s good to let all your GPs know. This helps to prevent them from ordering the same tests.

Your relationship with your GP – and any other health professional – is a partnership. Your GP’s role is to work together with you and your family to help with your health and wellbeing.

How to find a good GP

Here are things to think about when you’re looking for a family GP.

Practical issues

Is the GP practice easy to get to? Can you walk there? Can you park there? Is there public transport? Is it accessible for people using prams, wheelchairs, crutches and so on?
What are the opening hours? Do the opening hours suit you and your family?
How does the GP or clinic send you test results and appointment reminders?
Does the GP bulk bill? If not, can you afford the fees?

Appointments

Do you need to make an appointment? How do you make appointments – for example, by phone or online?
What are the wait times? How much time do you get for each appointment?
Are telehealth services available by phone or video?

The GPs

Can you see the GP of your choice most of the time? In bigger practices, it might be hard to always see the same GP, so it’s best to check with the reception staff about when your preferred GP is available.
Does the GP have an interest in or expertise with children?
Does the GP speak another language that might suit you, or does the practice offer an interpreter service? Is the GP familiar with your cultural background?

The service

Are there other services at or near the GP practice – for example, pathology services, practice nurses, physiotherapists or dietitians?
Are the receptionists and other health professionals welcoming?
Are there child-friendly books, toys and activities in a clean waiting room, breastfeeding facilities, and health pamphlets and other patient information?
Is the service culturally safe and inclusive? For example, are there posters that represent families from diverse backgrounds?
Is the GP practice accredited? That is, does it meet nationally recognised standards for health care quality and patient safety?

You could ask the practice’s reception staff some of these questions either on the phone or at the practice. Many GP clinics have websites, so you might find a lot of this information online.

How to know whether a GP is right for you

It might take time to get to know a GP and work out whether they’re right for you and your child.

The GP who’s right for you and your child will use appointments to:

listen to and address your concerns in a sensitive and responsive way
interact with your child, even if your child is a newborn
help you feel confident you can look after your sick child at home
understand your child’s development and be sensitive to your child’s needs
understand how stressful things can be at home
help you find ways to manage your health that work for you and your family
acknowledge your parenting strengths.

You’ll know you’ve found the right GP for yourself and your family when you:

feel comfortable to ask the GP any questions about your health
feel the GP has heard and understood you
feel you have a role in making decisions about your health
trust your GP has the skills to deal with your health issues
have more confidence after seeing the GP
feel OK about going back if you’re still worried or don’t feel better after the appointment
know the GP is comfortable to refer you to another medical specialist if needed.

Where to start looking for a GP

The best place to start is by asking other parents. Conversations at child care, preschool or school can also be useful.

Midwives at the hospital or child and family health nurses at your community health centre are likely to have good suggestions for finding and choosing a GP. You can also ask your local pharmacist or any other health professionals you see.

Healthdirect’s service finder can help you find GPs in your local area.

Changing your GP

Changing GPs can be challenging, especially if you’ve had a strong relationship with your GP.

Here are reasons for changing your GP:

You’re moving to a new area – check with your practice about transferring your medical records.
Your GP changes jobs.
You’re feeling uncertain and want a second opinion.
You feel the GP isn’t the right doctor for you anymore.
Your GP isn’t always available when you need an appointment.

These are all good reasons for changing your GP. It’s your right to change GPs.