I haven't got a GP at the moment! Do I need one?

[BorgLady]

We're currently living in my grandparents' house while looking for a new place in another town.

Since we've been here, I haven't bothered to register with the local doctor, largely because it's only temporary, and also because she was so appalling with both my grandparents before they died. I won't go into specifics, but complaints were lodged.

I have been adamant that I wouldn't trust her with the care of my family in a million years.

Just found out I'm pg, however.

My question is, do I need a GP to refer me to the local hospital's antenatal unit? I would have midwife led care anyway and since we'll be moving in February I really don't see the point in registering.

I know my medical records are being held locally, surely they can just get them from there? Or is there more point to having a GP than that?

I certainly wouldn't go to her for any advice or if I needed an appointment, I just wouldn't trust a word she said.

Thanks!

[argylesocks]

You can usually self refer to a hospital without a GP. I've never actually met my GP, I just put his name down on the self-referral form. They never asked for my medical records either... I don't know if that's normal. My GP had absolutely nothing to do with it so if you don't trust them I'd say go ahead and book straight in with the hospital. You won't have any appointments or talk to any doctors or MWs until the booking appointment at 10-ish weeks anyway. Good luck!

[MrsCratchit]

You can refer yourself to some hospitals- check their websites.

If you can face her once, my experience of first GP appointments was simply telling them I'm pregnant and them logging me into the system and their receptionist giving me the free prescription form to fill in. If your area is then shared midwife/GP antenatal care maybe you can explain your situation to your midwife who can then help plan care without that specific GP.

[thefurryone]

Are your medical records held with a different GP? Could that GP refer you?

[BorgLady]

Shortly after we moved, I had to call an ambulance for my son and obviously had to give the new address.

A few weeks after that, my old GP wrote to me to say that we were outside his catchment area now and would have to register with the local GP within two weeks or our medical records would be sent to a holding office.

I was pretty disappointed as our old doc was only in the next twon over and it would have been just as easy to continue to see him. The local hospital is still the same.

I guess the medical records are at the holding office, as obviously I never registered with the GP here.

Thanks for your advice everyone. I have found the number for the local maternity ward, I'll give them a call and try to self-refer.

Getting to the local doctor is a total pain anyway as I don't drive and we are living in a village where there are no pavements wide enough for a pushchair.

Fingers crossed they will get me into the system without a GP referral. I think I'll just give the name of my old doctor and plead ignorance anyway!

Thanks, will let you know what happens.

[BorgLady]

Just called the maternity unit and they took all my details and made me an appointment just like that!

I'm so relieved!

Thanks everyone!

[MrsCratchit]

Good stuff. Best of luck with your pregnancy!

[thefurryone]

Glad it worked out for you without too much hassle. Total PIA when doctors unregister you, happened to me once I'd only moved about three streets away little did I realise it was over a GP catchment boundary

Congratulations and good luck with the pregnancy.