New Patients

Getting ready for your first consult

Before your first appointment, we ask that you complete our New Patient Registration Form so that we can register you as a patient of our practice. Once you complete this form, it will automatically be sent to our receptionists. If you book online, you will be asked to complete this at the time of booking. If you book an appointment over the phone, you will be sent an SMS or email with a link to complete your New Patient Registration Form.

We ask that all new patients complete their new patient form PRIOR to attending for their first appointment. Doing this ensures that there are no hold-ups when you arrive, and that you can be seen in a timely manner.

When you arrive to your first appointment, you may be seen by our nurse before you see the GP. At SDC, our nurses work alongside our doctors, assisting them by collecting a general medical history, taking vital observations (blood pressure, height, weight, etc), and gathering family/social history. This is done to ensure we can gain a deeper understanding on who you are, and what we can do to assist you in your healthcare journey.

Consultation fees

Your first appointment at our practice is 30 minutes and is considered a ‘long appointment’. We book all of our new patients a 30-minute appointment to allow our doctors to get to know you. This includes gathering information about your relevant medical history, your family medical history, current medications, and ongoing healthcare needs.

Unless eligible for bulk billing, there is a fee for your consultation. For more information on our practice fees, and to see if you are eligible for bulk billing, please read ‘Our Fees’ or speak to one of our receptionists.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, a minimum of 24 hours notice applies, otherwise a cancellation fee may be charged.

Transferring your medical records

If you have a complex medical history, your new doctor may ask you to request a copy of your medical record from your previous GP. This is something that is usually done when a patient changes their medical centre.

To transfer your medical records to us, please complete our Transfer of Medical Records form and our receptionists will organise the rest.

It is common for practice’s to charge a fee for the transfer of your medical records. Your previous practice can advise you on whether there will be a transfer fee and of how much. Transfer fees are charged to the patient requesting the transfer.