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Registering With a GP?

fender
Posts: 233 Forumite


I have just filled in a form and tried to register at my closest GP. The NHS website said they were taking on new patients.
They called me today to say "I was not in the catchment area for the surgery." Neighbours are with that very surgery.
I have heard the Health Secretary say you may choose which surgery you wish to register with. I told them this and they just said "no".
Where do I stand here? Can I choose where to register?
Can I make a complaint?
Thanks.
They called me today to say "I was not in the catchment area for the surgery." Neighbours are with that very surgery.
I have heard the Health Secretary say you may choose which surgery you wish to register with. I told them this and they just said "no".
Where do I stand here? Can I choose where to register?
Can I make a complaint?
Thanks.
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Comments
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From our surgery, before we moved, bf got a letter saying he was no longer in catchment and being removed, telling him to find another GP. I never received any such letter even though we were registered at the same address with the same surgery!! He phoned them to complain and they said 'oh the computer randomly generates who to deregister out of those eligible'!! if you can believe that. So you might have just gotten unlucky. Bf managed to get them to stay it as we were moving back into the catchment area in 1 mnths time but they literally would only give him 30 extra days.Kavanne
Nuns! Nuns! Reverse!
'I do my job, do you do yours?'0 -
Around here, most surgeries allow non-frequent attenders to stay after they move, but will de-register people with chronic illnesses, or people who make regular visits.
They argue, rightly or wrongly, it is because of the extra chance they will need home visits, which obviously takes longer for the GPs.0 -
Most GPs still have catchment areas. It makes it easier if you need to have them do a home visit during the day, as they have a smaller area to cover.
If you are having problems you can contact the local Strategic Health Authority to find out which GPs in your area have spaces.
It may sound silly but just because your neighbour is in the catchment area for one GP, doesn't mean you will be. I know a street where one side of the road is classified as one council and one primary care trust, however if you are on the other side of the road you are a totally different council and PCT.0 -
My Dr's used to be across the road from my house but they wouldn't take me when I first moved in as they were 'full' so I had to get a Drs assigned to me by the health authority that was a bus ride away... Irritatingly, when my brother moved in, they let him register over the road so I called up and asked if I could too... They asked if I'd just moved in and I said no I'd lived here a while and they said they were only taking people who'd just moved!
Thankfully they opened up 1 of those giant health centres down the road and all the Drs in the area moved into it so I registered there instead....
If you're having trouble just get the health authority to register you but it might not be the closest to you...A very proud Mummy to 3 beautiful girls... I do pity my husband though, he's the one to suffer the hormones...My Fathers Daughter wrote: »Krystal is so smart and funny and wonderful I am struck dumb in awe in her presence.
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the catchment area for the GP surgery may have been different when your neighbours registered. You can register with one that you are in the area for and your local health board will be able to advise you of surgeries who are taking on new patients. You can't just register anywhere just in case you need a home visit your surgery is responsible so they keep their areas small so that they can see as many patient's as possible in their day.Thanks for the advice Martin! :money:Member no. 920 - Proud to be dealing with our debts0
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Was it some snotty doctor's receptionist you spoke to? They are so obnoxious and rude. Surely they should have had the decency to give you an explanation and not just say no. hope you get it sorted.0
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It's true that catchment areas can include one side of the road and not the other, or part of a road as there has to be a line drawn somewhere. The NHS choices website will tell you where your next nearest GP is. As for the receptionists, some can be blunt but I worked in a GP surgery before and I've seen patients be extremely rude, shouting at them, making completely unreasonable demands etc (every day) so it does work both ways.
Good luck.:A0 -
contact your local PCT who will be able to confirm if you are out of the catchment area and if so, where your nearest practices are. https://www.nhs.uk
You only get a choice if more than one practice covers your address."This is a forum - not a support group. We do not "owe" anyone unconditional acceptance of their opinions."0 -
Pink_fluff wrote: »Was it some snotty doctor's receptionist you spoke to? They are so obnoxious and rude. Surely they should have had the decency to give you an explanation and not just say no. hope you get it sorted.
They are great at our surgery tbh! Can't fault them at all!0
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