nhs doctors surgery registration/s?

johnyccc · 27 Jan 2008 at 00:24

**Woah nelly, I am not seeking medical advice**
I am a little unhappy with my current GP.
He seems to think I am a hypochondriac (which to be fair I probably am). But I do have one problem that he seems happy to let continue, despite multiple complaints.
Working with him in the practice are various foreign doctors, who to be frank, struggle with the language. For the most part, this wouldn't bother me. But given that I would be talking medical issues, I am reluctant to ask one of them (I am not very good talking to people as it is).
So I am considering registering at another practice.
I am reluctant to do this, as although my current GP isn't perfect, he is quick on the draw with the ol' prescriptions (all needed

) and I am used to him after all.
So my question is: Can I register at another practice, while still registered with my original one? Or do I have to swap over from one to the next.
I was registered with two NHS dentist's recently because of a similar situation (which neither really fixed). But I wonder if they are more strict with doctors.
Thanks

Gilly · 27 Jan 2008 at 00:30

I believe it is one or the other. Don't the new ones contact the old ones for your data and then you're removed from the old ones after this happens?

This may change when (?) the central Db comes in.

johnyccc · 27 Jan 2008 at 00:32

Well I wondered as its all on computer now if they could get my data independently from the original practice. But I have no idea if it is indeed stored elsewhere. Perhaps this is what you speak of (central db) :O

ScoobyDoo69 · 27 Jan 2008 at 00:52

Speaking from an NHS ICT guys perspective, I would say that it would be possible for you to move practices, you go to register with the new practice and they facilitate the transfer of the information - which depending on the clinical systems that they use, can be very easy, or just time consuming to do. The central database that Gilly speaks of is very very far off. They currently have an NHS spine which contains no medical data, but it used for online referrals and other online services.

j00ni · 27 Jan 2008 at 01:35

First off, you can only be registered with one GP at a time (due to the central nature of GP funding - i.e. the govt are only willing to pay on GP practice to look after you, otherwise they'd have to pay double). This my change in the future, with the proposed ability to register with a GP at both your home and work addresses - however this would only be properly feasible when the centralised db goes live (and only if your details were uploaded), and would also require a not insiginificant change to GP funding and fundholding (or whatever this week's buzzword is)

If you do choose to change practice, how it works differs from practice to practice, though you will probably only have to go to the new practice and register giving the details of your old practice (to allow for some data transfer) - having your NHS number would make this process easier (can get this from your current practice).

Your old practice, depending on their policy (not sure if there is any centralised policy on this), may hold onto your electronic notes for a while. Your paper notes will go to the new practice

Rameses · 27 Jan 2008 at 01:49

As stated, you cannot be registered at more than one surgery.

You may register with another doctor in the area, but you may find it slightly difficult if they realize your already registered with a doctor in the same area. Surgeries do not like to take patients off each other as they see it.

If that is the case, you will need to have yourself removed by the local PCT, (14 days in our area) after which you can then approach the new surgery again.

Also, if your area is experiencing problems with doctor availability you may have to get the PCT to assign you to another, but this is all depending if your area is running into problems.

Your medical records either way will be transfered over to the new surgery once you have registered, complete with a full summary of recent history of problems/meds etc.

russ0r · 27 Jan 2008 at 02:33

You can't fully register at two practices. However you can register as a temporary patient at a different practice - Might be useful if you want to get another GP's opinion on your situation.

I think if a GP isn't taking you seriously then I think you're well within your rights to switch practices anyway.