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Original poster

I've moved house but I don't want to change GP

37 replies

AuntiePushpa · 07/02/2023 09:33

My surgery is great - same day telephone appointments and I've had good experiences whenever I've needed them. Plus they're next door to my parents, not far from where I work and I've been with them for decades.

I've moved house, significantly far away, and my question is are the surgery able to insist I get a new dr?

I'm sure they wouldn't accept registration of a new patient from my address but maybe the situation is different because I'm already registered. I understand they'd want me to change and all the downsides to having your dr far away, but maybe there are rules about actually taking me off their books without my consent.

So far I just haven't told them about change of address but I know that isn't a sensible strategy.

Possibly a less rational reason: I have a repeat prescription for migraine medicine that I'm worried a new dr might want to review - the thought of not having it available is stressing me out.

OP posts:
2Rebecca · 07/02/2023 15:38

In Scotland most surgeries are strict about boundaries. It's not just GP visits it's midwives health visitors district nurses xrays etc

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 07/02/2023 15:43

We moved at in the first day of lockdowns and didn’t bother to change address as we couldn’t go out in person to a new surgery to sign paperwork. It was only caught when DS had flu jab at school and they had our new address on his paperwork - I got a text a few days later telling me I had to move surgeries.

Dogsarebetterthanhumans · 07/02/2023 15:45

Personally I would say say don’t be dishonest with your doctor if he/she has always been stellar with you and you wouldn’t want to be treated the same way back. When I lived in London I didn’t want to move GPs because I had really good long term care for long term conditions so guess what, I didn’t move house!
You could find yourself in hot water if you have to use an A and E or Walk in Clinic or Dentist near your new address and correspondence gets copied. Then you’ll find yourself without your migraine medication.
Now that you have moved you’ll have to have an open mind about GPs nearer you. There might be one just as good. Be honest and good luck x

antipodeancanary · 07/02/2023 15:45

It's entirely up to the GP who they have on their register. Some might strike you off, some might keep you.

Original poster
AuntiePushpa · 07/02/2023 16:04

I think I'll try that @dizzydizzydizzy , better to know. I take on what everyone is saying and I will have to find a new GP, just maybe not straight away...

OP posts:
Original poster
AuntiePushpa · 07/02/2023 16:05

TheOtherHotstepper · 07/02/2023 13:37

I've seen our surgery cancel someone's appointment while they were already waiting because they took that opportunity to notify their change of address, which was outside the catchment area.

That is shocking @TheOtherHotstepper! Not on at all.

OP posts:
tribpot · 07/02/2023 16:29

If you're in England, you can register with any practice regardless of location. The practice may say they are not able to offer home visits and there might be referral implications as well. Worth asking your current practice.

Milliways · 09/02/2023 05:56

Tribpot, that rule is quoted often at our surgery, but the partners have never agreed to accepting anyone outside their agreed boundary and can refuse to keep you registered. The only reason we have to register a patient is if they live within our boundary. When someone moves, another family moves in and we have to register them, and with no spare capacity we have to insist that those moving out deregister.

We never cancel pre booked appointments, and do allow some flexibility on the 30 day rule if mid treatment etc, but a timescale will be agreed after which no further appointments or prescriptions will be issued.

it is dangerous to give a wrong address. If a blood sample is taken that is dangerously abnormal and the GP or out of hours team cannot get hold of you when the lab phone the results through, they Will send someone to the registered address to check you have not collapsed and police called to gain entry.

People say they never need home visits etc, but they age, accidents and unexpected illnesses happen. If you are really I’ll you don’t want to have a significant travel to get back to your GP.

SheilaFentiman · 09/02/2023 06:08

OP, I don’t know how your telephone appointments work, but half the time, ours are a screen for whether a face to face is needed. If it is, then it would be same day. Would that work at a distance?

Mindymomo · 09/02/2023 08:14

It may come to light when the new occupants of your old house register with GP. We were with my GP from when I lived at my parents, I moved 2 miles away and stayed at same practice for over 15 years, then had a letter to say we had to move as they didn’t cover my area.

TheOtherHotstepper · 09/02/2023 08:50

@AuntiePushpa it was an appointment for a young child as well!

GoodChat · 09/02/2023 09:04

If you don't tell them you've moved address any private NHS correspondence will go to your old address, so your smear reminders, any hospital appointments, anything for surgery.

If you have an accident and get taken to hospital they won't be able to find your records. I'd change.

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