All Medicare-eligible consultations are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. Some items, including privately purchased vaccines and consumables, attract a fee.
Most of what stops people booking is a worry that turns out to be unfounded. Tap each one.
Four things worth knowing
Chlamydia in particular very often causes no symptoms at all, which is precisely why routine testing exists. Waiting until something feels wrong means a lot of infections are found late, after they have already done damage.
“I've got no symptoms but I'd like to get tested.”For most people, testing is a urine sample or a self-collected swab — nothing invasive, and you can often do it yourself in the bathroom. The dread is almost always worse than the test.
“What does the testing actually involve?”Your appointment is private. A young person aged 16 or over can consent to their own care, and it is not shared with parents. Younger teenagers are assessed on whether they understand what is involved, and their privacy is taken just as seriously.
“Is this appointment confidential?”Your GP needs an honest picture to test for the right things. That is the only reason the questions are asked, and the answers change what is tested rather than how you are regarded.
“Here's the honest version.”Open any of these for what it involves. All of it is routine general practice and all of it is confidential.
Testing
What happens Your GP asks a few questions to work out what is worth testing for, then arranges it — most commonly a urine sample, a self-collected swab and a blood test. Results come back within about a week.
What gets tested depends on what you tell your GP. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are usually urine or a swab; syphilis, HIV and hepatitis are blood tests.
Testing is worth doing with a new partner, after a condom breaks, if a partner has tested positive, or simply as part of a routine check. No particular reason is required.
Symptoms
What happens Discharge, pain, burning, itching, sores, lumps, unusual bleeding or pain during sex. Your GP examines what needs examining, tests, and starts treatment — sometimes before results are back.
Plenty of these turn out not to be a sexually transmitted infection at all — thrush, bacterial vaginosis, urinary infections and skin conditions are all common.
Either way it is worth being seen. Waiting to see whether something settles is how straightforward problems become complicated ones.
Contraception
What happens A conversation about what would suit you and a script, or — if a condom broke last night — emergency contraception, which works better the sooner it is taken.
Emergency contraception is available over the counter from a pharmacist without a prescription, and sooner is considerably better than later. Do not wait for an appointment to get it.
A copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception and can be fitted for several days afterwards. Your GP will explain the options and arrange it where that is what you want.
Prevention
What happens HPV vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination, and a conversation about HIV prevention including PrEP — medication taken to prevent HIV, which your GP can discuss and prescribe where it is appropriate.
If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, PEP is time-critical — go to an emergency department or ring the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 immediately rather than booking an appointment.
HPV vaccination is given routinely in schools and is available to adults as well, though funding depends on your age — ask your GP what applies.
PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV and is available on the PBS for people at risk. It involves regular testing alongside it, which your GP will explain.
Cervical screening
What happens Cervical screening is recommended every five years from 25 to 74. You can now collect the sample yourself, privately, in the clinic bathroom — it is just as accurate as a sample taken by a clinician.
Self-collection is available to everyone eligible for screening and has removed the main reason people put it off for years.
If you would rather your GP took the sample, that option remains. Either way it is bulk billed with a valid Medicare card.
The imagined version stops far more people than the real one ever would. Tap a card.
Usually a urine sample and a blood test. Often no examination at all.
An examination is more likely, and you stay in control of it.
If you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, PEP can prevent infection but is time-critical. Go to an emergency department or ring the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 straight away.
For anyone who has been putting this off. It is considerably less of an event than people expect. Tap any card.
You do not have to tell reception what it is about. "A general appointment" is enough. Ask for a particular doctor's gender if that matters to you.
Flip backA few direct questions, to work out what is worth testing for. They are about the tests, not about you.
Flip backTesting for the wrong things is the only real risk here. Nothing you say will be met with a lecture.
Flip backUsually a urine sample or a self-collected swab, plus a blood test. Frequently no examination at all.
Flip backAn examination may be needed. A chaperone is available for any examination, and you can stop at any point.
Flip backWhere the picture is clear, treatment often starts before the results are back. Most infections can be treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Flip backBack in about a week. You will be contacted either way — not only if something is found.
Flip backIf something is found, previous partners should be told. There are anonymous ways to do it, and your GP will help you work out the practicalities.
Flip backTap whatever applies and print it, or simply hand the screen over. It is a perfectly reasonable way to start the conversation.
Ask for a doctor of a particular gender when you book if that makes it easier — reception will arrange it without asking why.
Our GPs hold general registration with AHPRA. Areas listed are special interests within general practice rather than recognised specialist registration. Where specialist sexual health services are the better option, your GP will refer you — and the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 offers free confidential advice to anyone.
Pick your situation and what you're coming in for. We'll show you what to expect before you book.
What are you coming in for?
Figures shown are what you pay at the clinic for the appointment itself. Medicines, devices, imaging and specialist fees are set elsewhere. Reception will always confirm the cost with you before anything goes ahead.
Yes, on weekdays, with a valid Medicare card — both the appointment and the pathology. Weekend arrangements differ, so please check with reception.
Yes. Your consultation and your results are confidential and are not shared with parents, partners or employers without your consent. Some infections are notified to health authorities for public health purposes, which is done in a way that protects your privacy.
Yes. A young person aged 16 or over can consent to their own medical care and it is confidential. Younger teenagers are assessed on whether they understand what is involved, and their privacy is taken just as seriously.
For most people without symptoms, a urine sample or a self-collected swab, plus a blood test. Often there is no examination at all. If you have symptoms, an examination is more likely, and a chaperone is available.
Usually about a week. You will be contacted either way, and anything needing treatment is followed up promptly.
It depends on your circumstances. With a new partner, after a condom breaks, or if a partner tests positive are all clear reasons. Otherwise your GP will suggest an interval based on what you tell them.
Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. Your GP will explain the treatment, arrange it, and help you work out how to tell previous partners — including anonymous ways of doing it.
Yes. It is also available directly from a pharmacist without a prescription, and sooner is considerably better than later — do not wait for an appointment. A copper IUD is the most effective option and can be fitted for several days afterwards.
PrEP is available on the PBS for people at risk of HIV and can be prescribed in general practice, alongside regular testing. Ask your GP — it is a straightforward conversation.
PEP can prevent infection but must start within 72 hours and works better the sooner it begins. Go to an emergency department or ring the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 immediately rather than booking an appointment.
This is routine general practice, several times a week, every week. The only thing that makes it awkward is the worry about it being awkward.
Testing is usually a urine sample or a swab, results come back to your GP, and the appointment is confidential. Treatment and contact tracing advice are part of the same visit.
The clinic is inside Salamander Bay Shopping Centre at Shop 5, 2 Town Centre Circuit, with free parking, and is a short drive from Nelson Bay, Corlette, Soldiers Point, Anna Bay, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Medowie.
Book online with HotDoc at any hour, or call (02) 4008 4400.
