This month two general practitioners (GPs) describe their approach to sexual health consultations. The issue of a sexually active adolescent demonstrates some differences in legislation pertaining to the requirement to involve the authorities, although in essence the young person can expect the same response from these practitioners in two different health care systems. On the other hand a patient at risk of sexually transmitted infections is more likely to be referred to a specialist Genitourinary clinic in the UK although the protocols for screening and education are largely similar. Equally patients who are HIV positive can expect to receive the bulk of their care from specialist clinics in both countries. Midwives are the main stay of antenatal services in Australia and the UK with general practitioners minimally involved in routine cases. Also home births are a negigible proportion of all deliveries in either country. When patients opt for a home birth our authors expressed the view that GPs generally do not have the skills or experience to be the main health professional in attendance. Therefore such births are primarily managed by midwives as the key health care professional. The focus of General practitioners is primarily to ensure that the patient is making an informed decision about delivering her baby at home. The GP is therefore still in an influential position to assist the woman in making a decision about where to give birth. As a point of difference in Australia a home birth would result in out of pocket expences for the mother. The views expressed below are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect health policy or practice elsewhere in their countries. However we believe they offer an interesting perspective on their health care systems and commend the article to our readers.