I Have To Change Doctor's!

[jd_1984]

Having only got around to updating my personal details with my GP surgery last week (I moved house 11 months ago - oooops), this morning I had a letter from the NHS informing me that in 30 days I will be taken off the register for my surgery and must find a new one. I didnt even consider this as I only moved 2 miles away, but I guess they have to keep the catchment areas fairly small so as not to overload the surgery. Shame though as I have attended this surgery for nearly 29 years and have a great relationship with them. I have always received a first class service and will be dispaointed if the level of service isnt as good in a new surgery... But I guess rules are rules!

[Sqad]

Seems a pity....only two bloody miles.
Can't you ring the practice and ask them to make an exception?

[jd_1984]

I might do Sqad, but I wouldnt know if to be optimistic, the letter was pretty blunt and to the point. I think we all take comfort in developing relationships with our local surgery and the GP's that work there. The GP's at our surgery havent changed in years. I didnt even consider that 2 miles would matter!

[Sqad]

Good luck.

[Sharingan]

I was told I would have to move surgeries too when we moved, (we moved quite a bit further) so I circumvented it ( at the suggestion of one of the Drs) by changing my address to a friends just up the road.

[wolf63]

My pal had a similar problem a couple of years back and they said that it was partly due to doctor's out of hours calls. I am not sure if they come visiting quite so much these days.

[jd_1984]

Yes, I was told to re-change it again (coming up with a beleivable reason why I moved back to my original address) but I am often too honest for my own good!

[jd_1984]

Wolf, yes they mentioned out of hours call as a reason in the letter.

[divegirl]

I'd be gutted if I had to change surgeries! I've had the same GP for 21 years and though I have chosen to see a different one about my current health problems I know all the staff and they are lovely.
I never have to wait for an appointment either.

Lisa x

[jd_1984]

Yes thats why I am frustrated, it is a cracking surgery! All staff are friendly and approachable, doctors are always informative and spot on with their advice. I would hate to relocate to a surgery with poor service, not that I am a snob. But all for the sake of 2 miles :(

[bednobs]

the new one might be better :)

[bednobs]

it's not the out of hours so much, it's more about home visits, or if you need the services of the district nurse. Also, it's not a great idea to lie about the address - if you had (for example) a blood test which showed something life threatening, the GP might come round to break the news - no good if you aren't there!

[EvianBaby]

I moved house 14 months ago and despite the fact I now live about 50ft away from my new surgery I haven't got round to registering because they're only open 9-12 Monday to Friday and I'm never here then. Luckily my dad still lives at my old address. I just have to warn him if I'm expecting any letters from the doc so my sister doesn't think they're letters from her debtors and chuck them in the bin unopened :/

[jd_1984]

The original address is my parents home so any correspondance for the surgery would find its way to me.

[jd_1984]

Ok, so an update...
I have been dishonest, but I have justified it because I would feel a lot beter knowing I can still visit the surgery I have been at for nearly 30 years. The place that I went for my very first injections and check up as a new born and have continued to go and received excellent care.
I filled out a new form with my original (parents) address and told then I was moving back home!!
Don't judge me I only moved 2 miles away!!