Changing NHS Doctors Surgeries

[Kiki275]

Hi all,
I got a BFP this weekend so am checking in with the doctor on Monday. The surgery I go to is where I used to live and next to work, they offer a walk-in-service which is great. I really could do with moving to one nearer home (20 minutes away) for ease once born and so DH can come with me. As this is my first, I haven't told anyone yet and I'm clueless, is it worth signing up to the new doctor first or can I just switch? The surgeries are in different counties so will fall under different hospitals etc. Thanks in advance x

You can choose whichever gp you want as long as they have space and cover your postcode. The only thing about joining a new one is it can take a while for old notes to transfer and they will probably want to do a baselines of your health (blood pressure, height and weight) but you'll be doing this anyway as part of pregnancy

And having rarely been to doctors for most of my life have been loads since having fun kids so defo one closer is better!

Thanks, I don't really do sick either and my surgery is great. It will be annoying to go back to making appointments at another, but will be better in the long run.x

Unless the community midwives work out of there, you probably won't see a GP your entire pregnancy. If you're low risk you'll be entirely under midwife care, if you're high risk you'll be referred to the obstetrics team based at the hospital. Lots of surgeries don't do appointments to confirm pregnancy now either - just refer you (or get you to self-refer) to the community midwifery service.

You can change where your care is at any point in your pregnancy, but if you know you want to be under the closer hospital is just call that surgery about registering and while you're at it ask what they need to do to refer you to the midwives. If you're 4-5 weeks or so right now nothing needs to happen for several weeks anyway.

That's perfect, cheers. I'll nip in anyway on Monday just so I feel like I'm doing something. Glad I don't need to pick one and stick with it x