How to transfer your medical records to a new Traralgon GP

People put off changing GP because they assume their history will be lost or that the process will be awkward. Neither is true. Your health information belongs to you and moving it is routine administrative work.

What actually transfers

What moves between practices is normally a health summary rather than every note ever written. A health summary covers the things a new GP needs in order to look after you safely:

• Your current medications and doses
• Allergies and adverse reactions
• Significant past medical history and operations
• Immunisation history
• Recent test results
• Family history where it is relevant

You can also request your full record if you want it, though for most people the summary is what matters.

How to do it

1. Book with your new GP first. There is no need to have your records in hand before your first appointment — bring what you can and we will request the rest.

2. Sign a transfer request. Ask reception for a records transfer form. You sign it and we send it to your previous practice on your behalf. You do not have to make the call yourself, which is the part most people are dreading.

3. Allow a couple of weeks. Practices vary. Some send records within days, others take longer. Your care does not have to wait — your new GP can start looking after you immediately.

What it costs

There is no charge from us for requesting or receiving your records. Your previous practice may charge an administrative fee for preparing and sending them, which is permitted. If they do, that is their fee and it is worth asking them what it is.

What to bring in the meantime

For your first appointment, bring whatever you already have:

• Your Medicare card
• Your current medications — the boxes are fine if you do not have a list
• Any specialist letters, discharge summaries or recent results
• Your immunisation record or your child’s

If you have a My Health Record, tell your GP — it often fills in a good deal of the picture while the formal transfer is under way.

You do not need to explain why

People sometimes feel they need a reason for changing practice. You do not. It is your choice, it happens all the time and nobody at either practice will ask you to justify it.

If you are thinking about moving to Flourish, our new patients page covers what to expect at a first appointment. Call reception on 03 5174 6711 to check we are taking new patients before you book.