Family doctors are also known as General Practitioners or GPs.
Choose the GP surgery that you want to register with and check it covers the area where you live. You can find your nearest GP on the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk or by calling NHS 111.
Registering with a GP surgery Contact the GP surgery and ask to register with them. They will usually ask you to complete a form that will provide them with the following details:
• your name and address
• your date of birth
• your NHS number (if you know it)
• other information, such as the name and address of your previous GP
Some GP surgeries will also ask to see proof of your identity, for example:
• photo identity, such as your passport or driving licence
• proof of address, which could be found on a recent gas, electricity, water or phone bill, (not a mobile phone bill) or your council tax bill.
The GP surgery will write to you confirming that you’re registered with the surgery and your medical records will be transferred to the new surgery.
Temporary registration
If you want to see a GP and are visiting an area for more than 24 hours, but less than three months, you can apply to register with a GP surgery as a temporary resident.
Can I register with a specific GP? You will be registered with the GP surgery, rather than an individual GP.
If you prefer to see a specific GP, the surgery can note this in your records. However, you may have to:
• wait longer to see your preferred GP
• see someone else if your preferred GPis unavailable
You should register with a GP as soon as you move into a new area. Do not wait until you are unwell.
Health checks
When you register with a new GP surgery, you may be invited to make an appointment for a health check within six months.
What if the surgery doesn’t accept me?
Sometimes, you may not be able to register with a GP surgery,
for example if:
• you live outside the area that the surgery covers
• the surgery is not accepting new patients
You will need to register with another GP surgery in your area instead.
If a GP practice has concerns about a patient’s behaviour or demands on the service they can write to a patient advising if their behaviour does not change they will be removed from the GP list. If an incident occurs and the Police are involved, a patient will be removed from the GP list with immediate effect.
Changing your GP
You can choose to change your GP at any time. You can approach another GP in your area to ask that they accept you as an NHS patient. If they agree they will advise you of the process. If their list is currently closed they are unable to
accept new patients. If they refuse when their list is open you can request a reason in writing.
If you have difficulty finding a GP or registering, contact the Patient Relations Service on 01482 335409, and select option 2 or email HullCCG.Pals@nhs.net
Walk-in centres
Walk-in centres are open 365 days a year from 8am-8pm and can treat both registered and non-registered patients without an appointment.
Hull’s walk-in centre is based within
Wilberforce Health Centre
6-10 Story Street
Hull HU1 3SA
Tel: 01482 335180
Opening hours:
8am-8pm every day of the year
Patients registered at Story Street GP Practice at Wilberforce Health Centre get priority over walk-in patients.