This page provides an overview of how to change GP.
As an NHS patient in England you can change doctor or GP practices for a number of reasons, including:
- You have moved home and now live in a different area
- Difficulties have been experienced with your current doctor or other staff and you are unhappy
- You have been removed from the patient list
It is not necessary to give a reason when changing GP and you can approach any practice and apply to join their list. However it is advisable to inform your current practice that you are leaving.
How Do I Register With a New GP?
Once you have identified a GP Practice that meets your needs then you can try and register with the surgery.
Since January 2015, GP practices in England are able to register new patients even if they have a home address that’s outside their practice boundary zone.
The surgery themselves can decide if it is appropriate for you to be registered.
A patient can’t be rejected unless there are reasonable grounds to refuse you. The medical practice must provide reasons for your rejection in writing. Reasons for rejection must not relate to race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or a medical condition.
What Reasons Can A NHS Doctor Give For Refusing to Accept You as a Patient?
There are a number of reasons why a GP Practice can reject your application:
- The practice has no capacity to take on new patients
- They may not be accepting patients from outside their boundaries
- It may not be appropriate for you to register for them due to your home location
Further information on your legal rights as a NHS patient in England can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework
or here http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/patient-choice-GP-practices.aspx
How do I Choose a New GP?
The BestDoctorsNearMe.co.uk website offers two main facilities for trying to find a suitable GP. Both of these facilities use NHS data so you can find Practices that offer the services required by you and your family.
Information relating to managing long term conditions, childhood immunisation and patient experience and access is included. This combination of facilities, services and access are often important in making the important decision to change a GP.
We also offer insight into how patients view the practice, specifically how many would recommend the practice to their Friends and Family. This information provides access to patients views and recommendations.
We hope these tools ARE useful in helping you decide which practice to change to.
How to Change GP – Summary
You don’t need to give a reason when changing GP and you can approach any practice and apply to join their list.
Once you have identified a GP Practice that meets your needs then you can try and register with the surgery.
Change your GP Practice today if your are unhappy with the care and treatment provided, or if you are moving home.