University Doctor Help

[Pieceofpurplesky]

DS going to university just over an hour away.

Is it best to sign with a local doctor or stay with the one he has?

you can register as a student at most uni medical centres and stay registered at home

On the contrary, DD was only able to register with one GP at a time, and has to register as a temporary patient if she needs treatment outside of term time. This has happened, and been a right pain in the backside to sort out too.

That's what I thought Dahlia. I don't know what's best

How? DD has various prescriptions and we understood that when she moves, she'll have to move the registration?

I'm wondering about this too ..DD has a complex condition and her GP at home has only just got the hang of it , and she's mid referral to a cardiologist . The thought of moving GP fills me with horror , especially as there is a chance she may not manage uni !!!

One GP at a time. It is advisable to register in the new town/city. A GP came on a uni thread last year and said that their patient list changes every few years due to students coming in and then graduating and leaving and it massively helps with funding too.

For accessibility it is better to be registered with the one you are in catchment for not the one at your home address especially if there is any follow up appointments needed that you cannot predict now. Plus as a one off yes you can become a temporary patient at your home GP practice but it only lasts 3 months.

The only time I would think it was better to keep the home one is if there is a medical condition being treated and monitored so probably better for continuity as in doyou's case.

Does it make any difference how close to the university? We are just over an hour away and I work 25 minutes from it. Any appointments could be soon sorted

I have had two daughters at uni and doctors are always a problem. If you are not too far away and able to get to an appointment if needed I would stay with the doctor you already have. (particularly now as many appointments with the GP are either by phone or video now).
DD 1 two hours from home stayed with home doctor and all works well by phone. Since graduated and home again ( time passes quickly) no fuss.
DD2 5 hours away managed to get fresher flu in the first term 3 times and really struggled getting any university GP access. She was ill in second week, was told it would take weeks to get appointment and would need full registration at doctors first. Hard to deal with when you are ill still getting to know people and stuck on a campus. She survived and is registered with doctor now.
Given you are so close I would stick where you are. 111 by phone and online is great for students who are ill out of hours😀