Moving to a new suburb means a long to-do list — and registering with a local GP is one of the most important things to tick off, even if you’re feeling perfectly healthy right now. Having an established relationship with a GP close to home means that when you do need care, you’re not starting from scratch. This guide walks you through the process of registering as a new patient at a GP clinic in Camberwell.
Why Register With a GP Before You Need One?
It’s a common mistake to wait until you’re unwell before finding a GP. But attending a clinic as an existing patient rather than a walk-in makes a real difference. Your GP will have access to your medical history, know your current medications, and be better placed to give you informed, personalised care.
Registering with a GP is also important if you need ongoing care for a chronic condition, require specialist referrals under Medicare, or want access to mental health care plans and other Medicare-funded programs that require GP coordination.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
When you attend your first appointment at a new clinic, it helps to come prepared. Bring the following:
- Your Medicare card (and any concession, healthcare, or DVA card if applicable)
- A list of any medications you’re currently taking, including dosage and frequency
- Details of any specialists you see regularly
- Any relevant recent test results, imaging, or specialist letters
- Your immunisation history if you have it (particularly useful for children)
If you’re transferring from another GP, your new doctor can request a clinical summary from your previous practice with your signed consent. This helps ensure continuity of care and means you don’t need to repeat your entire medical history from memory.
What Happens at a New Patient Appointment?
Your first appointment with a new GP is an opportunity to establish your baseline health picture. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, current medications, lifestyle factors, and any concerns you have right now. Depending on your age and circumstances, they may recommend a formal health assessment or arrange blood tests to get a clear picture of your current health.
This is also a good time to ask about services the clinic offers, whether you need referrals renewed, and how to book follow-up appointments.
Is There a New Patient Form to Fill In?
Most GP clinics, including Camberwell Health, ask new patients to complete a registration form. This covers your personal details, Medicare number, emergency contacts, and relevant medical history. At some clinics this can be completed online before your appointment, which saves time on the day. Our reception team can let you know how to complete this when you call or book online.
Understanding Bulk Billing as a New Patient
At Camberwell Health, we offer bulk billing GP consultations, which means most standard appointments are covered by Medicare and cost you nothing out of pocket. When you book, our reception team can confirm what is and isn’t covered under Medicare for your specific situation.
Enrolling Children and Family Members
If you’re registering your family, each member will need their own Medicare card details. Children under 15 are listed on a parent or guardian’s Medicare card. It’s a good idea to register the whole family at the same clinic so your GP has a complete picture of your household’s health needs and can coordinate care where relevant.
Getting to Camberwell Health
We’re located at 676 Burke Road, Camberwell — easily accessible from surrounding suburbs including Surrey Hills, Hawthorn East, Balwyn, Glen Iris, and Canterbury. There is parking nearby, and the clinic is accessible by public transport. You can book your new patient appointment online through HotDoc or call us on (03) 9882 0055.
We’re open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Wednesday from 9am to 3pm.
Moving to a new area can be overwhelming, but getting your healthcare sorted early gives you one less thing to worry about. We look forward to welcoming you to the Camberwell Health community.