How do I go about changing my doctor?

[dizzymama]

I've had enough, there are certain things you just want to see a female doctor for, but ours is constantly 'on holiday' for this read 'private practice'
The only other doctor in the surgery is a bloke and, I suppose in itself I could face seeing him over personal issues if he was any good....but he isn't....he's crap - would not trust his medical opinion as far as I could throw it!
Problem is I've been with this surgery since i was 8, so have no idea how I would go about changing now. The other problme is my health visitor is wonderful but when I ring up today over breast pain and am told I can either see Dr Crappy or wait over a week, I just start to wonder.

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Its easier these days to do this.

I think you can go and visit another surgery in the town you reside in and ask to be put on their books instead. The surgery will then ask for your records to be sent over.

We have three docs at the GP surgery I attend; only one of them is any real good (other two are charlatans) so he's usually not available due to demand.

Thanks Meerkat, isn't it annoying?! I'm seriously thinking about going private but part of me (namely my wallet!) won't allow me to do that.
Shall ring the surgery round the corner and see, here's hoping!

Dizzymama, we just changed docs as they were rubbish. We had to write a letter to the surgery explaining why we left last one and then go for a pre registration assessment! more like a chat really, think they want to make sure you're not a trouble maker. You may need to ring round a few though as some GPs arent taking on new patients.Good luck.

Thanks Ess, I'm hoping to avoid anyone wondering if we're trouble makers as the hopefully new surgery is just round the corner and is the one I menat to join as soon as we moved. However, three years down the line I just haven't been bothered and we're still travelling to the old one! Although, I suppose I ought to be prepared for questions!

Just say that you think it's time you got more organised (as you have moved) and that their surgery has been highly reccommended (that should swing it)

Ooo good plan Katymac, like the way you're thinking!!

Flettery wil get you anywhere (well as far as a new dr anyway)

Dizzymama, ring up your local primary care trust's patient advice and liaison service (PALS) they should be able to tell you which surgeries local to you have spaces (known as having an "open list"), and let you know where you can go. Then you just have to go along to the surgery and fill in a form. If the list is open there is no reason for them to refuse to have you, and they shouldn't actually ask - even if you have been behaving badly somewhere else (provided you didn't threaten to kill someone!). In fact if you are on the books for a surgery that isn't local, they will encourage you to move in any case, as the practice should have a local list (so that people living nearby can register there). If your surgery is known as being not great, then you should expect to be treated with sympathy (you can also ask for your comments to be recorded). You should normally have the choice of several surgeries (less so if you live in a rurual location).

Thanks Nooka, it's good to know that. I have picked up forms for the surgery down the road today so...fingers crossed! (Had no idea PALS existed so also great to know that one, thanks!)