What is a General Practitioner?

A General Practitioner (GP) is a doctor who has completed training in general practice. They have broad knowledge and the skills to work out how to manage all the health issues you might have through your life. This is usually the first person you go to if you have a health issue. They coordinate and manage your healthcare and can look after you through all ages and stages of life.

Common reasons to see a GP;

• Expert health advice and diagnosis
• Cancer screening and risk factor management
• Annual health checks
• Digital prescriptions and medication delivery
• Medical certificates and referrals
• Coordinated care with specialists

What do I do when do I need to see a GP face to face?

Telehealth is a convenient service that can provide appropriate assessment and management of health concerns that do not require physical examination.

Health concerns requiring physical examinations include:

• Acute illnesses and symptoms, for example: fevers, ear pain or discharge, sore throat, coughing, pain issues, lumps or swollen glands, headaches, changes in vision, wounds or rashes.
• Medical Emergencies involving symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.

If you are uncertain if a physical examination is required, please book a face-to-face appointment with a local GP.

We appreciate that it may be difficult to book in a face-to-face appointment with a local GP on the same day.  In this scenario, please assess the urgency of your health concern.  If same-day advice is still required, a CU Health GP can provide you with an initial assessment of your health concern which includes a discussion of potential diagnoses and general advice.  A face-to-face appointment with a local GP will be recommended the following day to provide a more thorough assessment for you.

CU Health reserves the right for their GPs to determine the clinical appropriateness of assessing your health concern over tele-health.  If your health concern is deemed inappropriate for our tele-health service, our CU Health GP will refer you directly to a local hospital Emergency Department or GP clinic for assessment.

If I have my own GP, do I need to see a CU Health GP?

CU Health is an advocate for seeing the same HCP on an ongoing basis. We have provided a group of exceptional CUH GPs for you to select from and begin building a relationship with. However, if you would like to continue to see your own GP, you can nominate your own GP, and we will reach out to your GP and with the aim to bring your GP onto the portal for you to continue seeing your GP.