Health Plan - Change of GP for review?

[Alleycat73]

Hi - My GP was on holidays last year - so I went to a local clinic (different to his) and the GP there gave me a mental health plan.

It's time for renewal - and I'm wondering how I can transfer it to my regular GP for the review?

I know if it was in the same clinic i could have another GP there - but it's an entirely different place - and I don't really want to go back to the "fill in GP" for maintaining this.

Thanks - I tried to find a post like this - but could only find ones about changing Psychologists during the plan

[Croix]

Dear Alleycat73~

As far as I am aware you can change GPs mid way though a MH plan provided you are attending the same psychologist or other MH professional (the one you were referred to by your original GP) or they can provide a report.

You may find the following post helpful (a couple of years old but I believe still accurate).

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/permalink/qoAwzHHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

(Links are not live, please paste as one long line into your browser)

In addition have a look at point 1.4 entitled:
"Should these services be provided by the patient’s ‘usual doctor’?"

In the Government's Health web site:

https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pacd-gp-mental-health-care-pdf-qa#1_4

This too seems to confirm a change is possible.

If still in doubt ring up the surgery you wish to attend and confirm

Hope this helps

Croix

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Alleycat73,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for your question.

I can concur with Croix here. A MHCP to a psychologist can be written by Doctor A, but the psychologist can request the review from Doctor B. In the initial MHCP, they'll be all of the details from Doctor A and their clinic, so you'll just have to let the psychologist know of the details to send the review.

While a review might take a single appointment usually, I would probably request a double - that way your main doctor can get you to fill out some forms (if they want to) so they can try and track how things are progressing with your psychologist.

rt