A GP practice is the same as a doctor’s surgery or local health centre. The practice will decide, following a review of your completed registration form, whether to accept you as a regular patient or accept you without home visiting duties (if it is clinically appropriate and practical for you to be registered away from home). In 2012, all GP practices were asked to agree an outer practice boundary. This helps to establish a good working relationship. Close menu. Ask for the practice leaflet. Most surgeries operate a fairly strict catchment area system, and only those who live within the area are able to register. If you don't have one, the receptionist will give you form GMS1 to fill in. Our advice for clinicians on the coronavirus is here. Since 2015, all GP practices in England have been free to register new patients who live outside their practice boundary area. It's always worthwhile to take some time to check out your local practices before you register as a patient. A good GP can be one of the most important people in your life, particularly if you have a chronic condition or develop a serious illness. Most doctors will have teaching experience, whether it’s teaching medical students on placement, or junior doctor colleagues on the ward. You can change doctors easily, at any time and for any reason, by following the steps above. A surgery may refuse an application to join its list of patients if: If your application is refused, the surgery must write to you and give the reasons for this decision. In this article we will look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of working as a GP locum. Strict confidentiality on anything discussed with your doctor. Dr Mahibur Rahman. Your guide to choosing a good GP. Menu The new arrangements make this possible; however, there are a few things to consider: Because of the greater distance to your home, the GP you register with is under no obligation to offer you a home visit. Most cases are due to nothing more dramatic than a person moving out of the practice's catchment area. Register FREE. And collaborating with the right GP partners means you’ll share a common strategic vision with your shareholders from the very start. The right GP can make a big difference to how healthy you are and may ultimately save your life. Is the building and interior smart and looked after? This is the era of informed choice. Your choices. Choosing who carries out a specialist test. When seeing your new doctor for the first time, it can be very helpful to let them know about: Visit the NHS website (www.nhs.uk) to find GP surgeries and opening times in your area. These include making sure you attend appointments and extending politeness to the practice staff as well as other patients. So if you call your surgery and it's closed, you will be given a phone number to contact. Follow organisations on Twitter, RCGP, BMJ, BMA, or see what specific GPs are working on in your area. These arrangements are voluntary for GP practices. Once you've drawn up a list of practices that are close to where you live, it's worth phoning round to check that they will accept new patients. Choosing a GP can seem a daunting task, especially if you have just moved into an area and don't know anything about the local health services. You will have the option to choose: A modern foreign language. GPs are specialists in primary care. Although you are under no obligation to tell your old surgery that you are changing practices, it's useful for administrative purposes if you do. This includes a one-year pre-medical or foundation year. This is where each GP has their own list of patients and you can only see them if you are on their list. You have the right to a number of services and treatments when you join a GP practice, as well as policies being available to you if anything goes wrong or you wish to complain. This service is available 24 hours a day. Yes, easily. Registering with a practice further away from home can affect decisions about referrals for hospital tests and treatment, or access to community health services. Most GP surgeries now have their own practice charters on display, and these can be taken away to be read. Simply take your NHS medical card along to your chosen surgery. The GP must have been qualified for two years and gained either a postgraduate certificate in education or have attended an intensive residential course. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. A to Z of hospital departments: there are many hospital departments. You can use this information to choose a GP service that rates highly on the areas that matter to you. Choosing to become a GPSI may be an advantage when applying for jobs, Hopcroft says. Choosing a GP surgery Everyone has a right to register with a GP practice of their choice as long as they live within the ‘catchment area’ (the area that the GP covers) and it has space for new patients. working in a different part of the country. You do, though, have the right to say which doctor you'd prefer to see. When it comes to choosing a general practitioner, you need to ensure that he or she is competent enough, to handle their health demands. the services it provides in terms of clinics offered, choice of doctors and appointment waiting times. Give us feedback on your care. You might choose partners that you’ve studied or worked with already — trust is essential because boardroom battles could prevent you focusing on … If the GP covers a large area and the travel distance to your home is too long to justify regular home visits, then the GP can suggest that you register with a practice closer to your home. You have a legal right to choose where you are . Next review due: 26 November 2021, Patient information leaflet – Patient choice of GP practice (PDF, 28kb), referrals for hospital tests and treatment. How to choose your hospital or doctor You’re entitled to pick your NHS care, but how do you do it, and how can it benefit you as a heart patient? it has formally closed its list of patients, eg when a practice has more patients than it can deal with or not enough doctors - this is less common than it used to be. Password. Home visits if you're too ill or physically unable to attend your surgery. Try to avoid attending A&E for minor complaints. Studies indicate that it is very hard to make an appointment on short notice. The medical training you undertake on your journey to becoming a doctor can be overwhelming. Out-of-hours cover is provided by local doctors. If there are no other doctors in your catchment area, the local primary care trust may assign you to a named doctor in the practice on a rotational basis or find you another doctor just outside your area. Ask friends, relatives and others you trust for their thoughts and recommendations. There’s no "right" way to choose your GCSE options, but it does help if you think about your future when making your decisions. A few practices operate a 'personal list' policy. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 6 things doctors wish their patients knew, Fitbits to be given to those at risk of diabetes, The NHS is trialling an Airbnb-style scheme for discharged hospital patients. Use local services: you can find lists of GP surgeries in the local phone directory, public library and Citizens Advice Bureau. This can be easier said than done, though, because popular doctors can get booked up well in advance. Pulse Learning features 350 clinical and practice business CPD modules to help you through appraisal and revalidation. Recommendations. With so many things to consider, making a final decision about your medical specialty can be tough. We’ve put together some top tips to help you through the decision-making process. They can masterfully identify if you need further tests to determine your condition. Every 10 minutes, a new patient walks through my door with a new set of concerns. Staff take into account things such as your age, disability, sex (gender), gender identity, race, religion or belief, or sexuality (whether you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual). You may wish to join a GP near work or re-register with your old GP following a move. If your GP refers you... You can choose . General practice offers lots of scope to develop your career in different ways. It is advisable to find one when you are in good health condition. If you have a disability, prescriptions can be filled and delivered to your door by arrangement between your doctor and your pharmacist. This is mainly so your medical history is updated correctly. after your training you'll need to join the General Medical Council GP Register, and apply for a licence to practise as a doctor; Career tips. • You are not a member of the armed forces, a prisoner or on temporary release from prison. Unlimited access to a qualified GP with Saga Health Insurance - you'll have access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to a GP consultation service. If you are not well enough to go to the practice yourself, then other arrangements will be made. Many surgeries ask new patients to attend a 'registration medical' that checks your general health. Speak to the GP about your options. How to get the most out of your GP appointments, New interactive tool works out how much you've cost the NHS. When you call this number, a doctor or nurse will evaluate whether your problem needs telephone advice, assessment at a local medical centre or a home visit. Advantages Research your options in the area you want to register with, so you choose a practice that is right for you. GP career options: an overview Once you have finished training, there are many career options open to you. You may be able to collect a repeat prescription at a pre-arranged time from your surgery. Tips for choosing your medical specialty. Working as a locum GP is a common starting point for many newly qualified GPs, with some doctors choosing to work as a freelance GP long term. In the early days of the NHS, carving out a career as a GP involved investing in a commitment to owning a practice and often a share of the premises. Reset password: Click here. How to Choose the Right GP Posted on: 07 September 2018 by Ethan William. Are the receptionists friendly? If the practice has no capacity at the time, or feels it is not clinically appropriate or practical for you to be registered so far away from home, they can still refuse registration. GP Career Options – Advantages and Disadvantages of working as Locum GP. Find out more about our GP phone service. By Karina Bray. Compare GP surgeries according to facilities, services or performance before you decide. The practice should explain to you their reason for refusing your registration. Outer practice boundaries are an expansion of a GP's original catchment area. We have mapped out the medical training … When choosing a GP, it is important to consider the following points. A to Z of professionals: there are lots of different people who work in NHS hospitals. If there's one life decision that's worth taking a little time over, it's choosing a GP. You'll then need to go on and take A-levels (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications), so think about what you might like to study in more detail and choose your options appropriately. Castillo advises that patients call a potential doctor’s office for a first impression … As a patient you have responsibilities as well as rights. If you can't get a doctor's appointment or have a non-urgent health problem or query, you can contact a nurse at NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 at any time. A positive ongoing relationship with your GP is priceless - so shop around. Registration. Whereas in the past you may have had to register with a new GP even after only moving a few streets away, these outer boundaries can be a way to stay registered with your old GP. You can register with a practice as a temporary patient for up to three months if you are taken ill while away from home, for example because you are: If you are staying in the area longer than this, you may then be taken on as a permanent patient. All of your module activity is stored in your personal CPD log, with an export available for download and use on Clarity. a 3-year specialist training course in general practice; If you already have a degree in a science subject (minimum upper second), you could take an accelerated 4-year graduate entry programme. You'll still have to speak with your GP first and, if appropriate, the GP may keep you on the register. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Find a GP near you on the NHS website. Choosing a GP can seem a daunting task, especially if you have just moved into an area and don't know anything about the local health services. However, if the GP decides you can stay registered, then you will continue to receive the full range of services, including clinically necessary home visits. Sign In. It can take up to six years to be a qualified doctor, depending on the medical specialty you choose. This means you can register with a GP practice somewhere that's more convenient for you, such as a practice near your work or closer to your children's schools. You will then be asked to sign a registration form. Email address. Why find time in choosing GP doctors? Usually you can see any of the GPs in the practice, but it makes sense to stick to one GP so you get to know them and vice versa. Trouble signing in? Use the Services near you facility to find out what people say about a GP practice. Kathy Oxtoby looks at issues of responsibility, flexibility, and job security facing GP partners and salaried GPs General practice was once all about being in a partnership. Location and opening hours . If the practice is accepting registrations, ask for a registration form. If there's a significant risk of violence towards the GP or practice staff, a reason need not be given. Friends and family may have helpful suggestions of GPs in your area who will suit your needs. Your records are then automatically transferred to your new practice by the health authority. Walk inside and get a feel of how they seem to you. Audience: Medical students Junior doctors. There are many good reasons to choose general practice as a career and here Dr Rodger Charlton lists his top ten myth-busters. Additionally, if you're worried about an urgent medical concern, you can call the NHS 111 service to speak to a fully trained adviser. Educated doctors identify problems you never noticed you got. Unfortunately, violent and abusive behaviour towards doctors and staff is increasing, and this is the next most common reason for patients being removed from a practice list. Choosing a general physician from among the many options readily available is tremendously difficult especially when the health of you and your family is in concern. They can likewise honestly recommend you to other experts. Dr Rodger Charlton: 'General practice is the best job in the world' Sign in to continue. The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by Saga unless specifically stated. Research your options in the area you want to register with, so you choose a practice that is right for you. If your healthcare professional decides … Unless the case is exceptional, the surgery is obliged to provide seven days' basic medical care from the date you've been told you've been removed from the list. Yes. Recent changes to the NHS GP boundaries system now means that it may be possible for you to be registered with your chosen GP even if you live a long way outside the practice boundary. This can take several weeks, but they can be requested urgently if required. But there are some easy ways to find the doctor to suit you. Regardless if you are in good shape or sickly, you ought to take a while in choosing a GP. Email us . 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