Do I have to change my GP?

[Velvetee]

I live in one of the London Boroughs. Do other Answer bankers who also live in London know if when you move from one borough to another, is it compulsory to change GPs?

I quite like my doctor and have been with her for 15 years. Even though it's a few miles for me to travel, I feel I'd prefer to maintain contact with a GP, who is completely aware of my longterm medical history.

[puddicat]

I dont think that should be a problem! i only changed cos it was so far away my old gps

[katiepops0]

Some GPs say that they will not come out in an emergency if you live outside a certain radius (although not many make house visits now anyway!). Ask the receptionist - but don't give your name! Say that there is a change you may be moving etc. and ask the question. You may be OK if you are not too far away from the surgery.

[gina32]

get in touch with the surgery and ask them if you are out of the area for your doctors, id been with my doctor for 20 odd years but moved away and had to change

[Velvetee]

Because in the old days, when i first moved to London, if you moved boroughs and informed your GP, you would be struck off the list and asked to find a new surgery.

If this is still the case, then I'll keep quiet and not mention my new address for now.

[bednobs]

each surgery has a "catchment area" rather like schools. If you fall outside of your g.p.'s catchment area they will ask you to register with a new gp. It is not sensible to hide your new address from your gp for several reasons
1) if you need a home visit they wont come
2) similarly, if you need district nursing or midwifery or health visiting services they wont come
3) lots of practices undergo "list clearing" especially in London, where there is a high turnover of patients This is when they write to you, and if you dont respond they strike you off their list assuming you've died or moved. If the letter goes to an adress you arent at then you wont be able to respond, and you could find yourself in the position of not being registered and thetrefore not being able to see someone quickly if you need to.
These things are especially important if you have a long term medical history
Look on the brightside, the new gp might be even better than the old one