Logistics of not being registered with a GP surgery

[KingPenguin]

I'm a serial time waster at my GP surgery. I only go a couple of times a year but at worst, for bullshit reasons and at best, on the odd occasion that I do have a genuine concern, not giving full details. The why is complicated and deserves no sympathy so I won't go into it but I genuinely feel bad about it. It's a habit that I've been trying to break for years and at times, I've gone over a year without seeing a GP but I always slip back into it.

I've considered deregistering from the surgery before but the person I spoke to thought that I wanted a transfer and I couldn't get them to understand what I was asking so I gave up. Obviously, it's not compulsory to be registered with a GP but does anybody know what happens to my records if I deregister? I guess it'd be sensible for me to pay for a copy of them. And could I go to the same practice as a temporary patient if I did need it?

you can't deregister, AFAIK, because you simply transfer your records if/when you register somewhere else. I guess you could ask to be taken off of their books completely.

My practice do not allow temporary patients. I had to recently fight to have my friend registered at my practice as they are currently sofa surfing in the area and my practice require proof of address to sign up. That however, is illegal, they have to allow homeless people to register so my friend managed.

Not having a GP means you can't be referred for specialist treatment. You could still get emergency treatment for acute illness at an urgent care centre or "walk-in clinic". And of course A+E if you believe it could be life threatening.

Does going only twice a year really count as being a serial time waster? If you were rocking up on a weekly basis with no real need, I could see that would be a problem, but as it stands, I think perhaps you're over-thinking a bit? Obviously it's never good to waste the GP's time, but at some point, as you acknowledge, you will need to see a GP. What's to stop you de-registering, then just registering as a temporary patient each time you think you might need to be seen? That is going to ultimately cause more work for the surgery than you "wasting their time" a couple of times a year as a permanently registered patient (forms to complete, getting you put on the computer system temporarily, etc).

GPs spend a big chunk of their day supporting people with mental health difficulties, and they get paid for each patient who is registered with them. I wouldn't have thought a couple of appts a year, or even twice that, would even register as timewasting.

On a practical note you could move to a surgery that offers a nurse triage service, but actually I think you should just go and talk to your GP about this worry. They will have dealt with Mrs Smith or Mr Jones who come back every week for years. They will be able to tell you if this is something you need to change or if there is a better way to deal with the underlying issues - low self esteem, loneliness perhaps? My bet is they would reassure you that you are not a burden, and they'd much rather you carry on coming twice a year than you deregister and cut yourself off from help that you need.

As ElstreeViaduct says, GP practices get paid for each patient on their books so I'd say they'd prefer you stayed on their list rather than going as a temp resident.

I've considered deregistering for different reasons (bad experiences with my practice). I haven't because I think it's something you should only really do if you can comfortably afford ongoing private GP care, and I can't. For now I avoid going to my GP if at all possible. I've seen a private GP for a referral to a specialist - but be aware this means private consultant also as private GPs can't refer to the NHS.

A couple of totally unnecessary appointments a year for about ten years is a lot of wasted time and money. Doesn't really make it ok that other people waste more time. More feel bad for the people who couldn't see my very nice GP about real concerns because I was wasting her time.

I only see one GP so there's no chance of me getting appointments with other services or repeatedly registering as a temporary patient because I've got no interest in seeing random people. Obviously I would if I was genuinely ill but this bullshit started with finding a GP that I trust.

I don't want reassurance. I just want to break this stupid habit if only for my own good. My GP is older than me so unless I die young, she's going to retire at some point and I'll have to go cold turkey on appointments anyway.

What is it that you get from these GP appointments? Not meant in a horrible way, just trying to think if you could get that from another source. So if it's just someone to talk to, would you be prepared to undertake counselling, for example?

Could it be that the Dr is lacking in chair side skills that he or she is making you uncomfortable when you should not be?

OP, I work in a GP surgery and I see patients that are in 2 or 3 times a WEEK. You are not a serial time waster.

Don't de-register, get some therapy to deal with whatever is causing you to go to the GP unnecessarily. To be honest, you don't sound like a massive time waster, but you do sound very hard on yourself.

I’m a practice nurse and you wouldn’t believe the stuff that people think is worthy of an appointment!! Don’t worry about time wasting - but I get the sense that’s not the real issue, anyway. Feel free to talk a bit more about what’s going on if it feels ok to do so.

Would a befriender service or something fill the same purpose for you, if it's about seeing the same person and being able to talk to them?

Maybe next time write it down in advance so you can either refer to it or hand to doctor. You clearly feel a need to go, so maybe if that makes you feel guilty find someone else to speak to (pharmacist, friend, charity support group, etc as relevant)

I think this is one of those threads that if I'd posted at a different day, different time, I'd be rightly torn to shreds not told there's an ok level of healthcare resources to unnecessarily use

No offence, but it's likely because we all recognise that you likely very much need health services of some description and keeping up contact, even in this form, at least ensures someone professional and who knows you somewhat sees you a few times a year.

Is it an unnecessary use though? What do you say when the GP asks what seems to be the trouble?

It doesn't really matter what I say but it's not always true so yes, definitely a waste of time.

How would de-registering help if you know you can always go back as a temporary patient?

Given that you have payed this suggests some kind of mental health problem and for that 2 visits a year is nothing!

Has your GP ever said anything to you about these supposed ‘wasted’ appointments?

Would finances allow you to book in with a counsellor for 6 sessions or something? See where it takes you.

There's no reason anybody would ever say anything to me because I claim to be ill. If I turned up to an appointment and said 'not actually ill, just have this stupid habit', I'm sure somebody would have something to say about it.