Many young people already have a family GP who they can continue to see as they get older.

If you need to find a GP, ask a parent or other family member, friend, school nurse teacher or counsellor to recommend one in your area.

Look in the Yellow Pages under 'Medical Practitioners'. GPs are listed by suburb as well as alphabetically, which can help you find a GP close to home, school, work or your bus route.

Making an appointment with a GP

Phone the GP's number and you will get the receptionist.

Tell the receptionist that you need an appointment. You do not need to tell the receptionist why you want to see the doctor.

Most GPs have 10-15 minute standard appointments as well as longer appointments. If you have several problems to discuss, if it is your first visit, or if you have something important to discuss, ask the receptionist for a long appointment.

Tell the receptionist if it is urgent or if you can only come at a certain time.

It you would prefer to see a male/female doctor or a particular doctor, tell the receptionist.

Ask the receptionist about payment (whether the GP bulk bills or, if not, how much it will cost and how you can pay).

Confidentiality

GPs must keep information about patients confidential. This means they cannot discuss your issues with anyone else without your permission.

There are 3 exceptions to this related to safety:

1. if a young person reports physical or sexual abuse (by law, GPs must report abuse of people under 18 years of age)
2. if a young person says that they intend to harm themselves
3. if a young person says they are going to harm someone else.

All the staff at the clinic (receptionist, nurse, etc) must maintain confidentiality.

The GP may encourage you to involve a parent or other trusted adult for help and support, but will not do so without your permission.

Cost

Different GPs and GP practices have different approaches to billing you for your visit.

Some GPs 'bulk bill', which means that your Medicare card (or Medicare number) covers the cost of the visit. You don't need to pay anything.

Some GPs do not 'bulk bill' and charge a fee. Most of this you can claim back at a Medicare office, however, the rest is called the 'gap' that you are required to pay. If you have a concession card, such as a health care or pension card, the cost of the consultation will be reduced. You usually have to pay the fee at the time of the visit and claim what you can back from Medicare.

When you phone the receptionist to make an appointment, ask what it will cost and how you are expected to pay.

If you have problems paying for your visit, discuss this with your GP. Most GPs will make allowances for people in real financial need.

Medicare card

It is possible to see a GP without a Medicare card. All that is needed is the Medicare number, which can be obtained in the following ways:

• ask your parent/s for your Medicare number and keep it written down on something in your wallet
• phone Medicare Australia Medicare hotline 13 21 50 to find out your Medicare number
• ask the receptionist to get the Medicare number from your file if you already have one or to phone the Medicare Australia Medicare hotline for you to find out your Medicare number.

You can also get your own Medicare card once you are over 15 years of age. To do this you must:

• be aged 15 years or over
• have 2 forms of ID (birth certificate, student card, passport, bank book)
• complete an application form (forms are available from local Medicare offices OR phone Medicare on 13 20 11 and ask for a form to be mailed).

Note that when you receive your card, your parent/s will also receive a new Medicare card without your name on it.