How to find a GP for your patient

The role of a GP

GPs are essential to child and family health and wellbeing. They help provide consistent care to patients, especially patients who have multiple health professional teams. There's good evidence that continuity of care creates better health outcomes and improves patient satisfaction.

Continuity of care is especially important when your patient:

• has complex care needs
• has long-term health or developmental conditions
• is transitioning from hospital to community-based care
• is transitioning from paediatric to adult care.

You can read recent research literature about continuity of care to learn more.

• Continuity of care research report on the Australian Journal of General Practice website
• Continuity of care systematic review research report on the BMJ website

GPs also help coordinate patient care with us and our specialist teams. They can also help patients access Medicare funding for allied health treatments.

How to find a GP for your patient

If your patient doesn’t have a GP, you can help them find one.

Suggest that your patient’s family or carer asks friends or family for a GP they recommend. Often people in your patient’s local community know of and can recommend a GP they trust. This can help if your patient needs a GP that speaks a certain language or understands a certain culture.

You can also find GPs online or from health advice services.

• Phone: 13 43 25 84 (13 HEALTH)
• Search on the Health Direct website
• Search Google or other search engines
• Ask a local child health nurse

What you should consider when choosing a GP

It’s important to consider your patient’s care needs and their family's cultural background and financial situation when you refer them to a GP.

Care needs

Make sure the GP can provide appropriate care for your patient. Call the general practice and speak to the practice nurse to get advice and information.

Ask the practice nurse:

• which GP might be the best fit for your patient
• what their approach is to chronic disease management
• whether they can coordinate a team care management plan
• if any GPs have additional training in paediatrics.

Allied health

Consider your patient’s allied health needs. The practice might have a referral network for allied health professionals and paediatricians based on their local knowledge. This helps make sure there is clear communication between your patient’s GP and allied health professionals. It also keeps care closer to home for your patient.

Location

GPs should be conveniently located for your patient. Talk to your patient’s parent or carer about where the GP is and how they can get there. Consider if they'll be driving or will use public transport.

Costs

General practices often charge an out of pocket cost. Before you refer your patient, check their payment policy. It needs to match your patient’s family’s financial situation. Make sure they know about any costs they must pay.

Some GPs might offer bulk billing for children. They might also make exceptions or offer support to patients:

• from disadvantaged backgrounds
• with complex healthcare needs.

Referring your patient to a GP

Once you’ve found a suitable GP, make sure your patient’s family has the practice details including their name, location and opening hours. You also need to give a comprehensive handover. This should include:

• a detailed letter about the clinical care your patient has received
• a follow-up plan
• copies of relevant medical investigations.

GPs are ideally placed to provide continuity of care during transitions, so it helps to communicate regularly with them. You can involve your patient’s GP in dial-in or telehealth case conferences. This supports the transition from paediatric specialist care to primary care.

When your patient should see a GP

You should refer your patient back to a GP after you discharge them from hospital or after they have an outpatient appointment. Unless you advise your patient to see a GP sooner, they should see one within a:

• week after visiting our emergency department
• week after they're discharged as an inpatient
• month of having an outpatient appointment.

GP liaison program

We’re committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people through continuity of care. Our GP liaison program advises our specialist teams on issues affecting GPs and helps improve the patient referral process.

Read about our GP support to learn more or email CHQ.GPLO@health.qld.gov.au.