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Can you register your child with a different GP to your own?

6 replies

IceandIndigo · 27/10/2022 12:50

I live in outer London and commute to work in central London. I go to a very good GP that is handy for my work who I am very happy with and don't want to change. I used to live near there as well so I've been going for years, and as I have a long-term condition this continuity of care is quite important to me.

However, I now have a DS, and for obvious reasons it is not especially convenient to be taking him for appointments in central London. We have a GP that is around the corner from us and I asked if I could register him there without being a patient myself. The receptionist looked absolutely horrified and said it was against the rules. Not only did I have to be registered there, but if my DH wasn't registered there as well (he isn't) I would need a letter from him saying he was happy for my DS to be registered with them. She seemed to be implying that it was some kind of safeguarding issue.

Does anyone else have experience of this? Is what the receptionist was telling me an NHS rule or it is likely to be an issue specific to that GP? I'm not sure if it's worth arguing the toss.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
grantypi · 27/10/2022 13:02

You should be registered with a local GP, have you told your current GP you don't live in the area? They usually take you off the books if you're not in their catchment.

My point being that you and your DC might need to go with the one near your home address.

IceandIndigo · 27/10/2022 13:43

grantypi · 27/10/2022 13:02

You should be registered with a local GP, have you told your current GP you don't live in the area? They usually take you off the books if you're not in their catchment.

My point being that you and your DC might need to go with the one near your home address.

Yes I’ve told my GP and they are fine for me to stay registered with them. It’s not as strict as it used to be, I believe the government relaxed the rules a few years back because they realised people want flexibility. Which is why I was surprised to encounter this issue.

The GP surgeries near where I live are not great, nobody I’ve asked has been positive about their GP.

OP posts:
IceandIndigo · 27/10/2022 13:44

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/registering-with-a-gp-outside-your-area/

OP posts:
Milliways · 27/10/2022 19:48

My surgery won’t register a child without a parent/guardian for safeguarding reasons.

OrangePomander · 27/10/2022 19:52

I’m registered with one near my work, dcs are registered near our home and dh near his work 🤷‍♀️

PuttingDownRoots · 27/10/2022 19:56

One parent I could understand... but why also the father? I've never been asked for that. (DH is registered with Army doctors, we are NHS)

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