Family Medicine in St Kilda.

Family medicine is general practice in the broad sense. One doctor looks after the whole person, at every stage of life, and coordinates whatever else is needed around that. At Chapel Street that doctor is Dr Michael Battat, who founded the practice in 1980 and is still its only GP.

What can I see a GP about?

Almost anything that isn't an emergency is a reasonable place to start. Common reasons for an appointment include:

• New symptoms, infections and illnesses
• Prescriptions and repeat scripts
• Ongoing conditions and reviews of your medications
• Referrals to specialists and allied health
• Blood tests and scans, and going through the results
• Health concerns for children and teenagers
• The changes that come with getting older

If you aren't sure whether something needs an appointment, call reception and ask. For a medical emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Why does seeing the same doctor matter?

Dr Battat is the practice's only GP, so there is no roster and no handover. The doctor who orders a test is the one who reviews the result, and the one you see when you come back to talk about it. You don't retell your history at every visit, and anything that changes over time is measured against notes he wrote himself.

Can the whole family see Dr Battat?

Yes. Parents, children and grandparents can all see the same GP, which keeps a family's care in one place. Patients under 16 are bulk billed.

You're welcome to bring a family member, friend, carer or interpreter to your appointment. If at any point you'd rather speak with Dr Battat on your own, just say so.

How much does an appointment cost?

A standard consultation is $85. The Medicare rebate is $45.05, which leaves $39.95 out of pocket. Reception lodges the claim when you pay, and in many cases the rebate is back with you before you leave.

Bulk billing is available to patients under 16, DVA card holders, pensioners and concession card holders, so there is nothing to pay on the day. The full breakdown, including the fees that aren't published, is on the fees page.

What if I need more time?

Ask for a long consultation when you book. If you have several things to raise, or one that needs working through properly, it's easier to set the time aside in advance than to run out of it halfway through.

How will I get my test results?

Non-urgent results are discussed by telehealth. If a result needs attention sooner, the practice will contact you directly. There's more on how results work, and what to do if you don't hear back, in our guide to test results.