Been in Aus for 4 years now, never got round to getting a GP.

Feeling under the weather so would like to get one. Have rung a few in my area who say they cannot take any new patients. Very unhelpfully they cannot tell me which doctors can take new patients

Is there any way of finding out which ones are available to save me going through the yellow pages?

I understand that it costs around $55 for a normal consultation but can get $35 back from my Healthcare provider

What area are you in?

This is probably fairly common in Perth, particularly for practices that bulk-bill, but I've also experienced it at practices that don't bulk-bill and charge higher than the scheduled fee. Have you tried practices just around where you live? What about near where you go to work, or somewhere between home and work?

If you need to see someone urgently, you can always go to one of the GP After Hours services in the meantime. It costs more, but if you need medical care now, it might be the best thing. You've done well to avoid a GP for 4 years.

My husband hasn't been in the 6 years we have been here. I have only been when I had my lapbanding surgery, not for any illness. My kids have had a handful of visits and in 13 years and 8 years respectively, my girls have only had 3 lots of antibiotics between them. Some people just don't get sick.

To the OP, if you are in the Ocean Reef area, my surgery Beaumaris Family Practice was taking new patients but doesn't bulk bill, not even for children.

Sorry to hear that you're under the weather.

I'm not a lot of help and I'm sure that someone with more knowledge than me will be along soon to assist but if I understand correctly the way that things work here, what you ideally need is a "bulk billing GP". This is one which charges the rate which the government recommends and which medicare covers the cost for in it's entirety.

This link might be useful to you

People go to GPs for various reasons, not just because they're sick. In Australia GPs are key to accessing health screening services and various other health professionals. There are a lot of people wandering around with blood lipids that are out of whack, or diabetes, hypertension or cancer and a whole load of other disorders. It is important to have your skin checked for sun damage, or Pap smears, mammograms, etc.

Most of those things would present symptoms though, therefore making you a little ill. I have done the skin cancer checks but I avoid pap smears like the proverbial!!

Go get one you bad, bad girl or I'll take you myself if I have to come over to Perth to do so.

I'm serious. I had pre-cancerous cells removed at the age of 21 and had smears every six months and then every year until I was 35 - no need after that as I no longer have a cervix.

Lots of disorders may be present without showing symptoms or the individual feeling unwell. That's the whole point of preventative health and screening measures. It's easier and cheaper to nip things in the bud, as well as potentially life-saving.

I think that if you have children, paps are a mere inconvenience after what else has happened down there! For the peace of mind or early treatment that they provide they are essential. Teaches the younger generation that it's important and no biggy too..........

Please go and have one!!!

I dont know what it is with the Poms and the need to find a bulk billing doctor - Medicare was designed on a copayment system and unless you are very low income in which case you will have a health care card anyway, it's only going to cost you $30 out of pocket for a regular visit.

I'd just be asking your friends for recommendations then ringing them all until you find one that still has their books open. Sadly, it is usually the best ones that close their books because they are oversubscribed.

Some people I know take their kids to the docs at every sniffle, bumped head etc. If you are seeing a GP a couple of times a month at $30 out of pocket a time I imagine it adds up.

There is a Bulk Billing Medical Centre near Rockingham Council Chambers , its open 7 days a week till 10pm I think,also the out off hours clinic at the Rockingham Hospital is open till 10pm (approx $65 ) they are both walk up ,no appointment needed .

thanks for all your replies.

Ended up going to a 7 day clinic in the city. Consultation was $100, of which i get $46 back from Medicare

Prescription was $52, so all in all an expensive day.

Thinking about it i probably need to upgrade my private health cover: but find the choice of providers etc rather bewildering

Yes, it makes you wonder! If they paid for it then perhaps they wouldnt waste the doctors' time with trivial complaints! There's always the safety net if the cost gets that far out of hand.