To think a large GP surgery should allow a patient to see a different GP to the GP they are registered with

[reallytired]

My GP surgery has a policy that they only allow a patient to see a different GP to their registered GP if its

a) An emergency
b) Gynological problem and not an emergency

You can only change GP if you make a formal complaint against your registered GP and the complaint is upheld.

The practice argues that you can change to do a different practice. However the particular GP practice is a very large practice and therer is not much choice in walking distance of my house.

That's unusual.

In our area you are registered to the practice rather than a particular GP and are advised that for continuity of care it's best to see the same GP, but if not possible then see anyone.

I can only guess they are trying to appointment micro-manage but how that works in reality I don't know - it certainly wouldn't work at the surgery I work at!

You should be able to see whichever doctor you want. That is what our practice do, I sometimes see my own GP but more often than not I see a different one.

do you have a problem with your registered GP or is the problem in getting an appointment at specific times when your GP isn't as easily available?

If it is a specific problem with your GP and they wouldn't let me switch then I would complain.

Alternatively can you register elsewhere, then register back at your current practice but with a different GP? Madness but might sort your problem.

If the problem is getting an appointment with your GP when you want them, which wouldn't be a problem with another GP then I would go in and ask to speak to the practice manager to see if you can sort it out - in a friendly way, not guns blazing.

We always get asked who our GP is but if not possible to see them you can see any GP. Isn't there new guidelines about choices in treatment?

I think that makes sense really so you can build a relationship with them. As long as they let you see a different one if you want a second opinion.

Our surgery let you see whoever you want - they do encourage you to pick one you like, but they never ask who your GP is. Works great as they all have their specialities too, so will tell you to see someone else if they are better at that thing

Ours is pot luck, it's a big surgery, if you need an appointment it's usually going to be at least 6 weeks away, unless it's an emergency.

I have a feeling that you have a right to see a different doctor and it is not for the surgery/receptionist to say you can't. You can demand to see a different one.

I've been registered with the same surgery for about 2 years and have never even met my GP.
I switched surgery because the last one wouldn't let us see a female/male GP on request (you get what you're given, was their attitude). And perhaps like OP I didn't get along with my assigned (male) GP.
yanbu... morally.

That is unusual. I prefer to see my own GP, but the appointments offered can be with any of the GPs depending on who is available.

I never see the same doctor when I make an appointment. Every surgery I've been registered at has just given appointments based on who is available. You actually have to ask if you want a specific doctor.

It depends on the surgery policy.

Ours is a shared practice, so you can see who you want if they are available. They do advise that you see the same GP if you are going about the same problem you have previosuly gone for though.

It depends on why you don't want to see the GP you are registered with. If you just don't like them, then tough. They can't be expected to only book appointments with the popular doctors while others have tiny lists because they aren't quite as friendly. If you ahve a genuine reason why you don't want to see the same GP, then you have a reason to make a formal complaint.

Our surgery has a number of GP's and when you make an appointment you see whoever is available unless you request a specific one. If you do request one you may have to wait a week though. I've only seen the one I registered with a few times in the last 10 years I've been there.

That used to be the same at my GP surgery, but it was changed one or two years ago. You can change GP easily (which I did) and you don't have to see your named GP, either. It makes life much easier. The surgery has two centres and it was a pain where your named GP was at the faraway centre and you had to go there.