Choosing a GP

Finding a surgery

To find a local GP nearest to you simply visit the NHS England website where you can key in your postcode for a list of local doctors, surgeries, clinics, opening times. There are similar services for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Lists of GPs' surgeries are available from public libraries, Citizens Advice or your local council (listed in the telephone directory).

Take a look around a few local practices and ask for their practice leaflet to see what it offers. This way you can check whether the opening hours suit you and if the practice offers the kind of services you need (for example, baby clinics or GPs with a special interest in your condition) before you register.

Most practices currently operate a catchment area system where only those within the area are able to register. This is to ensure a GP can visit a person at home in an emergency. Ancillary services (such as midwives or physio services) linked to that practice may also have a similar designated catchment area, so even if your GP was happy that you live outside his area, he may not be able to refer you to other services.

Choosing a doctor

You can see any of the GPs in the practice, for example you may prefer a male or female GP. Once you have chosen it makes sense to try to stick to one GP so they get to know you and you get to know them.

Your rights

When you join an NHS practice, there are certain services and treatments you can expect as a right, as well as certain procedures should anything go wrong.

Strategic health authorities and PCTs may produce local charters of services available in your area and your rights. Many individual practices also issue and display their own charters. If you can't see one in your practice, ask a member of the administrative staff for a copy.

Your responsibilities

As well as rights, you also have responsibilities. These include being on time for appointments and polite to the practice staff and other patients. Most of your responsibilities are simply common sense and everyday courtesy - they don't take much effort.

Removal from a GP's list

Thousands of patients come off their doctors' lists every year. In most cases this is because they move out of the practice's catchment area. However, abusive or violent behaviour towards GPs and their staff is on the increase, and when this happens patients may be asked to leave the doctor's list to ensure the safety of not only the practice staff and GPs, but also of other patients.

It's recommended that a GP gives a patient the reason why they're being removed from the practice. There are exceptional circumstances, for example where there's a risk of violence towards the GP or practice staff, where a reason doesn't have to be given.

Changing doctors

Many thousands of people change their doctor each year, usually because they're moving out of their family home and/or moving to a new area. It's a straightforward thing to do. Just follow the advice above. It can help if you take your medical card with you when you register.

You don't need to tell your old GP that you're leaving, or give a reason, but it can be helpful in terms of administration. Your records will be transferred to your new practice by the health authority.

This can take from a few weeks to several months so do not expect your new practice to have instant access to your old notes, even if everything is computerised.

Changing your practice shouldn't be done lightly - the whole point of general practice is to build up a personal insight into the health of you and your family. With a new doctor, you both have to start from scratch.

Temporary registration

If you're ill while away from home, or temporarily living elsewhere, you can register with a practice as a temporary patient. If you stay longer than three months, you may be taken on as permanent if you wish. It's important for everyone that your medical history is forwarded correctly. It can also make a big difference if you get in touch with your former GP and explain the situation. You may find that as a temporary resident , certain services are not available to you.

You can also go into a doctors surgery and ask to see a doctor or nurse for ‘immediate and necessary treatment’, if you are passing through an area and are taken suddenly ill, without registering fully as a temporary resident. This is for emergencies only however and the doctor is unlikely to be able to refer you on to any other local services.

It will help the doctor seeing you for the first time if you can provide them with the following information:

• Any ongoing medical problems
• Medical problems you've had in the past
• The names of any medicines you're currently taking
• Whether you have any allergies
• Contact details of your regular or previous GP