Been seeing the same GP for years? This one policy might mean you can’t go back
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You might think your spot at the doctor’s office is always safe—especially if you've been going there for years.
But one Aussie recently discovered that being a long-time patient doesn't always guarantee you'll be seen again.
Their surprising experience has sparked debate about what's fair when it comes to seeing your regular GP.
If you’ve had the same GP for years, it’s easy to feel like they’re practically part of the family. They know your medical history inside and out—sometimes even better than you do.
But for one Aussie, a simple attempt to book an appointment ended with a shocking discovery: they were no longer welcome.
Taking to social media, the user explained how they’d tried to see their regular GP—someone they’d been going to for a few years—for a mental health plan and general checkups.
But because they hadn’t seen them in over six months, that door had apparently closed.
‘[I tried] to make an appointment with my regular GP who I have been seeing for a few years for things such as [my] mental health plan, general checkups etc,’ they wrote.
‘Due to his “popularity” I got told that he is not taking new patients and because it’s been more than 6 months since my last appointment we can’t see him.’
The poster was understandably frustrated, questioning whether the policy was standard practice—or simply absurd.
‘What the actual? So I should have just been making an appointment and wasting his time and Medicare every couple of months just to be able to see him when I actually need it?’ they said.
‘Has anyone else found this?’
It didn’t take long for others to jump in with their own experiences, with many saying they’d faced the same issue after long gaps between visits—even if they’d been a patient for decades.
‘I had this because I don’t get sick much. Couldn’t see my old Dr so had to ring around and find someone new who could see me,’ one user shared.
‘This happened to me a few years ago. I had the same doctor from childhood. Then I was overseas for 16 months. When I came back I went to the doctors and they wouldn't see me because it was too long ago,’ another said.
‘That happened to me when booking via Hotdoc. I thought it was ridiculous that I was being penalised in a sense for…being healthy? Anywho, my Dr is the absolute GOAT so I simply called and he fit me right in,’ a third chimed in.
The original poster wasn’t alone in thinking it felt unfair.
‘Wow! That's insane. I'd probably keep pestering them. You are NOT a new patient; they have all your records! And 6 months really isn't a lot,’ said one person.
‘That's ridiculous. Call back and be firm. I'm an existing patient with records in your system, not a new patient. If the receptionist won't budge, ask to speak with office management. This 6-month rule is just a lazy way to clean their patient list. Don't take no for an answer,’ another agreed.
Others, however, saw the other side—arguing that GPs are under intense pressure and can only stretch so far before something’s got to give.
‘I read this as a GP who is overwhelmed with work and needing to cut back and to ration their availability. And they have to decide to do so by focusing on the patients they know best — because these are the patients for whom it would be most disruptive to have to transfer,’ one user explained.
‘It must be understandably frustrating for those who get bumped off this GP’s list. But GPs are human beings, with their own limits. I suspect he is not happy to have to do this.’
Another added: ‘Your GP must be popular. Six months is unusual but I guess they have to draw the line someplace. At a certain point the GP is unable to provide safe and timely care if they don’t limit the number of patients they have.’
Whether it was a symptom of high demand or a harsh policy, the story resonated with many—and raised questions about the fine print in what most people assume is a lifelong relationship.
Here’s a video that dives into how GP shortages are making it harder for everyday Australians to get the care they need—especially if you’ve been away from your doctor for a while.
Worried your next appointment might not be guaranteed? Watch the video to see why it’s happening and what it means for you:
Source: YouTube/7NEWS Australia
Losing access to a trusted GP can feel like losing a lifeline—especially when you’ve built that relationship over many years. Have you ever been turned away by a long-time doctor after not visiting for a while?
We’ve covered several health‑and‑wellbeing stories that resonate with these challenges, particularly for senior Australians.
From worrying GP appointment wait times to changes in where you can receive care, it’s clear our healthcare system is evolving—and not always in ways that make life easier.
If you’ve been feeling the pinch—whether it’s difficulty booking in, rising costs, or shifting care options—you might find these recent reads insightful:
Read more:
But one Aussie recently discovered that being a long-time patient doesn't always guarantee you'll be seen again.
Their surprising experience has sparked debate about what's fair when it comes to seeing your regular GP.
But for one Aussie, a simple attempt to book an appointment ended with a shocking discovery: they were no longer welcome.
Taking to social media, the user explained how they’d tried to see their regular GP—someone they’d been going to for a few years—for a mental health plan and general checkups.
But because they hadn’t seen them in over six months, that door had apparently closed.
‘[I tried] to make an appointment with my regular GP who I have been seeing for a few years for things such as [my] mental health plan, general checkups etc,’ they wrote.
‘Due to his “popularity” I got told that he is not taking new patients and because it’s been more than 6 months since my last appointment we can’t see him.’
The poster was understandably frustrated, questioning whether the policy was standard practice—or simply absurd.
‘What the actual? So I should have just been making an appointment and wasting his time and Medicare every couple of months just to be able to see him when I actually need it?’ they said.
‘Has anyone else found this?’
It didn’t take long for others to jump in with their own experiences, with many saying they’d faced the same issue after long gaps between visits—even if they’d been a patient for decades.
‘I had this because I don’t get sick much. Couldn’t see my old Dr so had to ring around and find someone new who could see me,’ one user shared.
‘This happened to me a few years ago. I had the same doctor from childhood. Then I was overseas for 16 months. When I came back I went to the doctors and they wouldn't see me because it was too long ago,’ another said.
‘That happened to me when booking via Hotdoc. I thought it was ridiculous that I was being penalised in a sense for…being healthy? Anywho, my Dr is the absolute GOAT so I simply called and he fit me right in,’ a third chimed in.
The original poster wasn’t alone in thinking it felt unfair.
‘Wow! That's insane. I'd probably keep pestering them. You are NOT a new patient; they have all your records! And 6 months really isn't a lot,’ said one person.
‘That's ridiculous. Call back and be firm. I'm an existing patient with records in your system, not a new patient. If the receptionist won't budge, ask to speak with office management. This 6-month rule is just a lazy way to clean their patient list. Don't take no for an answer,’ another agreed.
Others, however, saw the other side—arguing that GPs are under intense pressure and can only stretch so far before something’s got to give.
‘I read this as a GP who is overwhelmed with work and needing to cut back and to ration their availability. And they have to decide to do so by focusing on the patients they know best — because these are the patients for whom it would be most disruptive to have to transfer,’ one user explained.
‘It must be understandably frustrating for those who get bumped off this GP’s list. But GPs are human beings, with their own limits. I suspect he is not happy to have to do this.’
Another added: ‘Your GP must be popular. Six months is unusual but I guess they have to draw the line someplace. At a certain point the GP is unable to provide safe and timely care if they don’t limit the number of patients they have.’
Whether it was a symptom of high demand or a harsh policy, the story resonated with many—and raised questions about the fine print in what most people assume is a lifelong relationship.
Here’s a video that dives into how GP shortages are making it harder for everyday Australians to get the care they need—especially if you’ve been away from your doctor for a while.
Worried your next appointment might not be guaranteed? Watch the video to see why it’s happening and what it means for you:
Source: YouTube/7NEWS Australia
Losing access to a trusted GP can feel like losing a lifeline—especially when you’ve built that relationship over many years. Have you ever been turned away by a long-time doctor after not visiting for a while?
We’ve covered several health‑and‑wellbeing stories that resonate with these challenges, particularly for senior Australians.
From worrying GP appointment wait times to changes in where you can receive care, it’s clear our healthcare system is evolving—and not always in ways that make life easier.
If you’ve been feeling the pinch—whether it’s difficulty booking in, rising costs, or shifting care options—you might find these recent reads insightful:
Read more:
