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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lie to my GP

101 replies

tacosplease · 02/09/2019 04:42

Two days ago I discovered that I’m five weeks pregnant and need to call my GP to get the ball rolling with midwife appointments and scans.

However, my GP’s surgery is in an area of London where I no longer live. When I moved to my new address I didn’t let them know as I really like that particular surgery and didn’t want to switch to my new local one.

This has worked out fine for the last five years or so as the doctor has never needed to post me anything.

But I’m wondering what happens with the 12-week scan - do they send you a copy of the scan photo in the post? Or is it emailed or given to you then and there?

Obviously if it is posted I will need to ‘fess up and switch to the new surgery. I’d just really rather stick with my current one if possible, as it’s very good, whereas my local surgery gets poor reviews online.

OP posts:
DuMondeB · 02/09/2019 09:54

It’s really important to have your proper address on your health records, especially when pregnant, as some midwifery services are delivered at home (I had to have my blood pressure checked every day at home during my last few weeks with my youngest due to suspected pre eclampsia).

It’s at the discretion of the surgery as to whether they will let you stay on the books when you’ve moved outside of their area.

My old doctor let me stay until my eldest was 18 because moving him would’ve caused problems with the hospital department he was seeing. At 18 he was transferred to adult services anyway.
I had to write to the partners at the GP and request permission to stay and they made sure to point out that it wasn’t their usual policy, they did agree.

Update your address and see what they say?

(When we finally moved to the local doctors they turned out to be just as good, if not better)

ajandjjmum · 02/09/2019 09:57

I am still with the GP I have had for years. When we moved they said our address is at the edge of their territory (5 miles?), but were happy to keep us on their books. I suppose it depends on distance.

Contraceptionismyfriend · 02/09/2019 10:08

A doctor's medical help is never dependent on where you live

This is incorrect for where I live. My surgery refused the appointment of a women in front of me as she updated her address at the desk and they found she was outside of the catchment area. She argued she wanted to stay with the surgery and they refused based on her new home. They informed her she would have to register with her relevant GP and make an appointment there.

VanGoghsDog · 02/09/2019 10:18

I very rarely get letters from my GP (other than hospital appointments, or letters telling me they are being arranged) but I do get letters from the NHS for my smear test and mammogram. As far as I know I have never told the NHS my address other than via my GP - so they must use GP records for the central databases for smear tests and mammograms.

There must be other things like that.

So it's pretty risky not to have the correct address with your GP I think.

I once moved out of catchment and stayed with the GP but it wasn't far and I asked if I could stay and they were fine - I'm a single woman, no kids, don't smoke, no disabilities or long-term ailments (I'm aware this last bit could change) and I suspect all of those things are part of what they use to base their decision on.

I've moved twice since then and moved surgery both times as it was further and, apart from anything else, I didn't want to be trekking far to the GP if I was ill - it's not just about them, it's about you as well, you might find it harder with a newborn to go further than necessary to the GP.

LadyRannaldini · 02/09/2019 10:45

My surgery no longer takes from my address, but they don't kick you out,

They moved 1500 patients to different GPs here with no consultation! Luckily we were in the process of moving as we didn't like the local surgery but for some older peole it was very difficult. One very old lady said she recalled as a child the doctor from the local surgery visiting her family in a horse and trap.
It actually made the front page of the D Mail at the time!

Sayhellotothethings · 02/09/2019 10:47

You get a lot of appointments etc sent through the post, results, child's red book...

The midwife will want to come and visit at home.
The hospital you can go to is based on where you live.

So yes, tell them.

GrapefruitGin · 02/09/2019 10:50

I think GP surgeries are encouraging mums to be to self refer and book 12 week scan direct with hosp now instead of going to GP. A few friends of mine now have been ‘told off’ for making a GP appt to announce they are pregnant.

AlexaAmbidextra · 02/09/2019 11:01

A doctor's medical help is never dependent on where you live.

I suspect you’re not in the UK as you refer to the doctor’s ‘office’. GP practices here do indeed operate catchment areas and can remove you from their list if you move outside it.

Nearlyalmost50 · 02/09/2019 11:03

I was at a practice that cleaned their lists and only had patients from their catchment. This is very common now. I would definitely tell the truth as you will need midwives/HV and possibly a GPs visit in the future. There isn't one good GP practice in the world, look around in your area and at online reviews etc.

TokyoSushi · 02/09/2019 11:04

Yep I agree, I can see why you've done it but theres lots of posting of appointments etc in pregnancy so you will need to update your address/switch surgeries.

orangeblosssom · 02/09/2019 11:08

What Atropa said

Dandelion1993 · 02/09/2019 11:11

You may as well join a local one.

There's the appointments you get by letter (in my area, they send a letter for each scan) but whne baby is born, it'll be easier to go to a local one.

Orangecake123 · 02/09/2019 11:13

My local GP practice has a catchment area. Hopefully you can till stay with your current one.

Congrats on the pregnancy!

bellainthemiddle · 02/09/2019 11:47

Definitely easier and less stressful to check with the surgery! I know that mine accepts patients from anywhere, but if you require community services you're then referred to community services in the borough where you live. I'd imagine that it might well be the same for you? Good luck!

healththrowawayx · 02/09/2019 11:47

Just ask them with an anonymous phone call (don’t give them your details but explain your situation).

My GP practice kept me on as I was already a registered patient. However my GP’s catchment area is weird. The practice is based in the city centre but the catchment area is further away in inner city areas. I literally moved down the road from the practice in the city centre but I was technically out of the catchment area, they were fine about it.

VivLevi · 02/09/2019 11:51

You will need to fess up.
Appointments come in the post
Also in my area midwives and HVs work in geographical patches / attached to surgeries
And obviously when baby arrives you will need to register them with a GP as soon as possible.

Theredjellybean · 02/09/2019 12:21

It's not doctors being "mean" if you are removed from the list when you are out of catchment. There are genuine safety reasons, firstly you presume you'll never need a home visit, but what if you'd had a serious illness or accident and became house bound? What about if you needed district nursing care, or had palliative care needs? What about midwife and health visitor visits after your baby is born?
All these people are an NHS resource who work with a caseload based on a geographical area. If you are out of that area it is selfish to expect these resources to stretch further to accommodate your personal preferences.

GabsAlot · 05/09/2019 21:33

Here they dont let you register unles syour in the catchment area still-i dont know why the bothered with the new rules because hardly anywhere go by them
My friend was with a surgery for years even moved they said it was ok all of asudden after 5 years says she cant stay on theyre getting rid of everyone outside their catchment area

TriciaH87 · 05/09/2019 21:57

Sorry but are you an idiot? It doesn't matter about posting a bloody scan your gp needs your correct address. Scans are given at hospital but letters for your smear test and results are via post. This idiocy could cost your life if they found an issue and could not contact you. A gp cannot force you to move but will ask for dcs birth certificate to register at the surgery and your child's will show new address.

Mishappening · 05/09/2019 21:59

I was registered with a GP who was "off patch" for a while - but they did have to agree to it.

newyearoldme · 05/09/2019 22:03

If you're precious about moving to a local GP now then nothing but a world of preciousness in pregnancy and motherhood awaits... 🙄

You do realise too that online reviews are generally only done by people with something to moan about, right?

Atlasta · 05/09/2019 22:06

Potentially really dangerous.
Just tell them and cross your fingers they'll keep you on there.

Actionhasmagic · 05/09/2019 22:08

Why don’t you do Royal Mail redirection for a year it costs something like £30

SoupDragon · 05/09/2019 22:08

Sorry but are you an idiot?

If you're precious about moving to a local GP now

Did either of you bother to read the whole thread? The OP said on Monday that she would register with a local GP.

CGTER567 · 05/09/2019 22:16

They may not automatically make you switch. I am still registered in one in town A but I live in town B. Best bet is to ask them now. They can not remove you unless you register with a new GP, as far as I know. (but of course the. issues above with HV etc remain)