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Original poster

No GP

32 replies

abbeycafe · 10/01/2021 13:57

Hi, I have just moved to a new area and have tried to sign on at the local GP surgery. They told me they are not taking on any new patients at the moment. What do I do about the Covid vaccine / jabs? In a bit of a panic.

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 10/01/2021 13:59

Are you in a priority group that will be receiving the vaccine?

Finfintytint · 10/01/2021 14:00

By the way, I had this problem in the first lockdown. Couldn’t sign up to a GP so had to drive once a month from Scotland to Wales to pick up prescriptions as they wouldn’t post them either.

daisypond · 10/01/2021 14:01

Is there not another GP practice locally? I find it a bit odd that there is only one.

Cornettoninja · 10/01/2021 14:05

You could contact your local CCG and ask them to assign you a GP locally (explain what you’ve been told by your local surgery).

If they can’t do that they should be able to signpost you to someone that can.

Bixs · 10/01/2021 14:05

We had this. I had to write an official complaint to the practice manager.

With regard to prescriptions you can get them sent electronically to any pharmacy in the uk

daisypond · 10/01/2021 14:06

@Finfintytint

By the way, I had this problem in the first lockdown. Couldn’t sign up to a GP so had to drive once a month from Scotland to Wales to pick up prescriptions as they wouldn’t post them either.
Gosh, that’s terrible.
Cornettoninja · 10/01/2021 14:06

@daisypond

Is there not another GP practice locally? I find it a bit odd that there is only one.
I live in a small-medium town and there is only one GP. Amenities haven’t kept up with the development of the town. School allocations are also a nail biting time since it’s not unheard of for children to end up in schools two towns over.
WankPuffins · 10/01/2021 14:08

My Dh has had the same thing. When we moved here last year he tried to register - 3 local ones told him they weren't taking on anyone. He's tried three times since.

Me and the kids are registered with a private GP so it's not a problem for us, but Dh has always refused to pay for health insurance for himself and so he's a bit stuck with what to do.

Original poster
abbeycafe · 10/01/2021 14:08

Yes, there is only one GP surgery, the closest to this one is 9 miles away and I am not in their catchment area. My ex GP in Mid Wales is over 150 miles away - and all in lockdown too.

Oh Finfinytint, that was a trek and a half. I hope I won't have to do this. I am a Type 1 diabetic, but made sure I had an extra supplies of Insulin and needles etc before I moved just in case something didn't go smoothly. Glad I did now.

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 10/01/2021 14:09

@daisypond some areas (especially rural areas) are only covered by a single practice
In theory you have choice but in reality you don't
Our village is like this, it's a PITA
It means we are left with frankly shit GPs, thankfully DH is a dr and I have a very competent and understanding hospital consultant (long term condition)

Original poster
abbeycafe · 10/01/2021 14:12

@Bixs

We had this. I had to write an official complaint to the practice manager.

With regard to prescriptions you can get them sent electronically to any pharmacy in the uk

Bix
Thank you !!! I had forgotten about repeat prescriptions can be sent electronically to any pharmacy. Phew! One less worry.
OP posts:
SnowmanDrinkingSnowballs · 10/01/2021 14:15

Is it temporary, ours closed to new people for a few weeks when they had a covid outbreak amongst staff?

Original poster
abbeycafe · 10/01/2021 14:20

@SnowmanDrinkingSnowballs

Is it temporary, ours closed to new people for a few weeks when they had a covid outbreak amongst staff?
They told me to try again in the Spring to register, after this pandemic has settled down and starting to improve. They really weren't helpful. I ought to try again and speak to the Practice Manager, if I can get past the 2 receptionists (who seem to run the whole practice!) A letter of complaint might be a good idea too.
OP posts:
HUCKMUCK · 10/01/2021 14:20

Definitely google your local CCG sand ting them. You have to be allocated a GP if you can’t find one that will take you and they can do that for you.

Em777 · 10/01/2021 14:21

@WankPuffins

My Dh has had the same thing. When we moved here last year he tried to register - 3 local ones told him they weren't taking on anyone. He's tried three times since.

Me and the kids are registered with a private GP so it's not a problem for us, but Dh has always refused to pay for health insurance for himself and so he's a bit stuck with what to do.

I’ve only used private GPs since I moved to the UK 8 years ago and am a bit worried about how I’m going to get the vaccine. I did register with a local practice years back but they’ve stopped sending me letters, presumably because I hadn’t used their services. Can they kick me off without telling me?
drsambeckett · 10/01/2021 14:24

That is outrageous. You’re a type 1 diabetic and need insulin to survive. You need to speak to the practice manager and complain to the local health authority/ CCG/ MP. Unbelievable.

Nacreous · 10/01/2021 14:25

Agreed on contacting your CCG - they should have a PALS line which will be staffed and able to help.

Other people who are worried about their GP - ring and confirm you are still registered. Better safe than sorry. You will need an NHS GP for easiest vaccine access I think, but if not you should still be able to register with the national booking system - but it will limit your options for vaccination.

daisypond · 10/01/2021 14:27

I thought if you moved out of area, your previous GP isn’t able to provide prescriptions for you. Don’t they cross you off their books?

WankPuffins · 10/01/2021 14:30

@Em777 me and one of my children were chucked off two different GPs books as they didn't want to be used as a record holding service. They got quite shitty with me - when I declined smears, vaccinations, HV services as we get all the privately. I tried to give them Ds records from our private GP and the nhs GP phoned me and said if I wasn't going to use their services, he wasn't going to have me on their books. So I've never bothered registering my other children as we would always use our private practice.

I'm way down the list for a vaccine anyway. And I'm sure once everyone has had it, it will be available privately.

If not, I'll just have to register as a temp patient with one I guess.

Not everyone has an NHS gp - there will possibly be other routes to get the vaccine with your NHS number in future maybe?

WankPuffins · 10/01/2021 14:33

@Nacreous

Agreed on contacting your CCG - they should have a PALS line which will be staffed and able to help.

Other people who are worried about their GP - ring and confirm you are still registered. Better safe than sorry. You will need an NHS GP for easiest vaccine access I think, but if not you should still be able to register with the national booking system - but it will limit your options for vaccination.

@Nacreous ah I didn't know there was a national Booking system.

My dads friend is 87 and has been a private patient for years but she had her vaccine in hospital.

User5437 · 10/01/2021 14:35

I haven't seen my GP for years, I got a letter from somewhere in a London about having a flu jab so I think they will manage to get in contact with you through your NHS number if you are not registered,

Em777 · 10/01/2021 14:36

[quote WankPuffins]@Em777 me and one of my children were chucked off two different GPs books as they didn't want to be used as a record holding service. They got quite shitty with me - when I declined smears, vaccinations, HV services as we get all the privately. I tried to give them Ds records from our private GP and the nhs GP phoned me and said if I wasn't going to use their services, he wasn't going to have me on their books. So I've never bothered registering my other children as we would always use our private practice.

I'm way down the list for a vaccine anyway. And I'm sure once everyone has had it, it will be available privately.

If not, I'll just have to register as a temp patient with one I guess.

Not everyone has an NHS gp - there will possibly be other routes to get the vaccine with your NHS number in future maybe?[/quote]
That’s terrible. You’d think they’d be happy to receive funds for having you and your kids on their books. I haven’t replied re: smear tests as I’ve had them done privately too. I have complex health issues and it made sense to see a private GP when things got bad soon after moving here, as they offered longer appointments and quicker access. I found a good doctor and stayed with him. My husband has used the NHS practice we are registered with a few times and it’s taken 3 weeks to get a 5 minute appointment with a locum so that hasn’t encouraged me to use them!

I will call them to check if I’m on their books when it gets closer to the time I might be eligible, from their website they sound like they are deluged by people calling about the vaccine at the moment.

citrusshowergel · 10/01/2021 14:40

Yes hopefully there will be a way of getting a vaccine if you are not registered with a GP- perhaps by inputting your NHS number? There is supposed to be a National Booking System launching soon- but I guess you'd only be able to use it if you've been invited and are on some sort of database.

I don't have a GP so no way of the NHS contacting me at the moment (under 50 so unlikely to be offered a vaccine in the coming months anyway).

Em777 · 10/01/2021 14:44

@citrusshowergel

Yes hopefully there will be a way of getting a vaccine if you are not registered with a GP- perhaps by inputting your NHS number? There is supposed to be a National Booking System launching soon- but I guess you'd only be able to use it if you've been invited and are on some sort of database.

I don't have a GP so no way of the NHS contacting me at the moment (under 50 so unlikely to be offered a vaccine in the coming months anyway).

I’d assumed by the time they get to widespread vaccination of the general population invitations would be sent centrally, using our NHS numbers. I’m getting less confident as the NHS practices seem to be controlling everything at the moment. I hope they’re aware many people will fall through the cracks if that remains the case.
Funkypolar · 10/01/2021 14:48

Don’t you know there’s a pandemic on? GP services are not a right when thousands are dying every day.