changing doctors

[west ham fan]

why is it that we can choose which car,house, and even where we go on holiday and yet we can not choose which doctors surgery we want to go to, even though there has been a break down in relations between doctor and patient. I have been in contact with the medical authority for my area, they tell me that is my catchment area even though the surgery I want to go to is 1.5 mile away from my home. My partener is under going chemo treatment for bowel cancer and we have had no support from the surgery and we have lost confidence in all the doctors they have no time to talk or listen to problems or concerns, is there any way around this without having to sell and move house

[bensmum]

I thought you could change if your relationship with your surgery is not good. I have a friend who was very upset at his wife's treatment and subsequently changed surgery. Have you explained the circumstances to the Health Authority?

[daffy654]

Write to your LHA (local health authority) explaining your situation and ask them if you are able to change to a different practice. They will allow it in certain circumstances.You may have to write to them several times.Also you could try contacting your local MP and ask them to intervene on your behalf.

[jake-the-peg]

How to change your GP

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_par ent/health/frequently_asked_questions_about_he alth.htm

[chazza]

Instead of contacting the medical authority, have you tried just going to the new surgery and trying to register?

That's what I did when I had a disagreement with my surgery, just went to them with my medical card and booked an appointment and that was me changed drs!

[west ham fan]

Thankyou all for your replies, I have writen to the thames valley health authourity stating our case, they more or less stated that the surgery was the only option we have as it is in our catchment. I went to the surgery I wish to register with and although they agree that we are very close they can not accept us without the acceptence of the MHA. I even asked for our medical notes and to my surprise we can only have copies not the original ones as they are property of the National health service, which I find rediculous. So yes the next step is to involve our local MP, for what good he is any way, but we will see.
thankyou all again

[bigmamma]

Hello west ham fan , at this stressful time you and your partner are going through you need stability and a good support network .I do hope you can get changed before long so your partner can get through the difficult treatment period . All the best , let us know how you get on :-) x

[MrXLA]

Whilst I truly sympathise with your situation, I can't for the life of me understand why you think it is 'ridiculous' for you not to have the original medical notes. If you think about it, it would be insane for you to posess the only original copy, for a kick off the previous GP would have no notes to refer back too should problems arise and if they were lost any subsequent medical practioner would have no idea of the history.
The difficulties you are facing sadly are due to an ever increasing population, sadly doctors don't grow on trees so moving GPs can be hard but it should certainly be possible to change surgeries.