Facts and Questions (FAQ)

Most specialists, including private services, will require a letter of referral from a GP. That is because GP practices hold patient records with all of your medical history.

There are some services you self-refer to, including sexual health clinics and some mental health services.

You can read more about self-referral services here.

This will depend on the service and hospital. You may need to book your appointment online or over the phone, or the hospital may contact you with a date for you to confirm. In some cases, we can book an appointment for you.

You can read more about booking a referred specialist appointment here.

In most cases, you will need a GP to refer you to a specialist. You can ask a GP to refer you, but they will only do so if clinically appropriate.

The Doctor will discuss the reasons for referring you and send you a copy of the letter sent to the specialist.

You can read more about getting referred here.

A referral is when your GP wants the help of a medical specialist to decide how best to treat you.

You can read more about referrals.

When you register with a GP, we will ask for your phone number and email address and if you are happy to receive information from the practice.

First and foremost, having a current phone number for patients means the practice can contact you about your appointments, prescriptions, test results or anything else to do with your health.

From time to time, we may also want to share information we think is relevant to you. Sending emails and text messages are quick, efficient ways to do this. Types of communications might include surveys to get your feedback, newsletters to keep you up to date with what is going on at the practice, or new public health messages.

Increasingly, with digital and remote consultations offering patients more flexibility and choice over how they manage their health, reaching patients in more ways makes health care services more accessible to all.

If you want to check or change your contact preferences, then please speak to the Reception team.

Summary Care Records

Anything you say to any member of staff in a GP practice is confidential. All clinical and administrative staff are bound by confidentiality agreements.

When you contact your GP practice or ask to book an appointment, you may be asked about your medical issue. This is so trained administrative staff can direct you to the best-placed person to help you. You do not have to provide this information, but it may mean it takes longer to get you the help you need.

If you are over the age of 16, you do not need permission from a parent or guardian to seek help. Nor will we tell them that you have sought help. The only exception to this will be if a GP or other clinician feels there is a safeguarding issue and that a child may be at risk of neglect or physical, mental or emotional harm.

Anyone aged 13 or over can use a sexual health service. If the GP or clinician is confident that you fully understand the decisions and information involved, we will not inform your parents.

You can find out more about using sexual health services here.

Summary Care Records

When you register with a GP in England, the practice creates something called a Summary Care Record (SCR).

The SCR will include information about you such as your name, address, date of birth and NHS number. It will also contain details of any current medication, allergies or bad reactions you may have had to medicines in the past.

Having an SCR means that anyone involved in your care has access to this vital information. For example, if you need urgent treatment at a hospital or other NHS location, staff will know everything they need to about your health to give you the best possible treatment.

Not having a Summary Care Record means crucial decisions about your treatment may be delayed or made without the complete information.

However, you have the choice to opt out of having an SCR. You will need to complete an SCR patient consent preference form. and return it to your GP practice.

National Opt-Out

If you do not want your data to be shared for purposes other than your healthcare, you need to complete a National Opt-Out.

Data sharing is vital to making sure that the NHS understands and adapts to patients’ changing needs. Data is also crucial in developing new initiatives, services and treatments such as vaccines. The NHS’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the development and distribution of vaccines, would not have been possible without access to such vital information.

However, you have the choice to opt out of having your data used for planning and research purposes.

Visit the NHS Your Data Matters for more information on how to make your choice.

Patient data in the NHS is only ever shared for two reasons: to provide patients with the best possible care, and the planning and research needed to design health care services that suit patients.

Patient data is only ever shared within the NHS or with legitimate third parties who help the NHS.

Data is never sold or made available for insurance or marketing purposes, to sell or promote products or services, for market research or advertising.

Read more from NHS digital

Yes.

Anyone can receive emergency treatment from a GP for up to 14 days without needing to register.

You do not need to be registered at another GP practice or show us any proof of address, identification or immigration status.

There is no cost to register with a GP practice or to see a Doctor.

Yes, you can receive emergency treatment from any GP for up to 14 days. If you need treatment for longer than that, registering as a temporary resident will mean we can continue to see you for up to 3 months.

You will remain registered with your current practice during this time, and we will share any treatment your receive or other information with them.

After those three months, you would need to switch and become a permanent resident.

Anyone in England can register with a GP. The practice asks that you provide proof of identity or address, your NHS number or immigration status to register. Signing up as a patient using our online new patient registration form is quick and easy.

There’s nothing to download or print anything. All you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer that’s connected to the internet.

The form will also allow you to register a child or other dependent for who you are responsible, including care home patients.

If you would like to register to use our online services, which we would recommend, you can do that. We will ask to verify your identity as part of this process, as setting up online access will give you access to your existing medical records.

Alternatively, you can download copies of our patient registration forms to fill in at home and return to us. Our Reception Team also has copies of our new patient registration forms if you are visiting the practice.

Face-to-face appointments will always be available where that is the patient’s preference and is clinically necessary.

The use of remote and digital consultations has increased during the pandemic, and many patients have found it offers a level of flexibility and convenience that they prefer.

If you have an urgent medical need that cannot wait, we will always aim to see you that day. Being seen at short notice will probably mean you have fewer choices of the exact time or who you see. You should always call in advance if you have an urgent medical issue.

We cannot use same-day appointments for routine issues that do not need to be seen immediately by a clinician.

Watch: Our video guide on What to do when you are unwell.

If you are seeking medical attention outside of our opening hours, and are unable to wait until we reopen, please attend an urgency treatment centre, contact 111 or 999.

A standard consultation will last 10 minutes per patient. To make the most of your time, we suggest focusing on the most important issue you want help with. If you have more than one thing you want to discuss, you may need to ask for a second or double-length appointment.

We know continuity of care is important to patients, and you may prefer to see a Doctor or Nurse you know or who is familiar with your medical history.

We will always try to accommodate specific requests, but fitting in with staff members availability may mean you wait longer to see the person you want.

There are lots of ways to get medical help based on your needs and preferences. An in-person appointment may not always be necessary, and another clinician like a Nurse Practitioner may be able to resolve your issue quickly.

Telephone appointments and online consultations also offer flexibility and quick solutions, which patients often prefer.

Go to our Appointments page.

We offer several ways to reorder a repeat prescription.

We encourage patients to use the NHS app for repeat prescriptions. You can make requests anytime, and there is no need to call.

Please always allow 3 full working days after a requesting prescription to it being ready to collect. You should be invited for a review of any regular prescribed medication at least every 12 months.

Find out about all your Prescription Ordering Options.

If you have a question about your medication, you may be able to find the answer by checking the NHS Medicines A-Z guide.

If you are unsure about how often to take your medication or the correct dose, you could contact the pharmacy where you collected your prescription.

If you need further help, you can contact us.