NHS Islington...

Your local NHS

Finding a Doctor (GP) in Islington

A GP (General Practitioner) is a doctor who looks after the health of local people and deals with a wide range of health issues such as:

• General health advice
• Contraception and maternity services
• Vaccinations

If the GP cannot help they may refer you to a hospital for tests or treatment.

But remember that if you’re not feeling well, seeing your local GP is not the only way to get help:

• A well-stocked medicine cabinet will help you to treat many everyday illnesses at home. For example, a small supply of paracetamol or ibuprofen and other remedies will help you treat ailments such as coughs, colds and sore throats.
• Your local pharmacist will help you choose medicines, give you advice on minor health problems and will advise you on whether you need to see your GP.
• If you are not registered with a GP and need to see a health professional you can visit an NHS walk in centre - no appointment is needed. Phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for your nearest one.
• You can also call NHS Direct for advice on what to do if you or someone else feels ill. NHS Direct is a confidential 24-hour a day advice and health information service staffed by nurses and qualified advisers. Phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Why should I register with a GP?

GPs and practice staff can help keep you well or will see you quickly if you are unwell. A GP can also refer you to specialist and community health services if you need them.

How to register

In most cases, it is only possible to register with a GP near where you live. See the map and the list of GPs to find those near you. To register you can either telephone or visit the practice. If the practice agrees to accept you, you will be asked for your details and the name and address of your last doctor. You will probably be asked to visit the surgery for an introductory consultation with a nurse or GP. If you are Deaf and need help with registering, call the Patient Information Line by textphone: 020 7527 1085.

Who can register with a GP practice?

Everyone who lives in the UK is entitled to the services of an NHS GP. This includes people from overseas living legally in the UK. NHS GP treatment is based on residence in the UK and not on nationality. GP practices are not obliged to register people who are visiting the UK from abroad. GP practices may ask for some proof that you are a resident in the area before registering you.

Can I choose which practice I register with?

Yes, if you live in their area. It is important to choose a practice that is right for you. This leaflet tells you which practices have a female GP and the languages spoken by GPs there. Ask the practice what other services they have - such as clinics or services provided by nurses - and whether the practice has an appointment or drop in system.

Your medical card and your NHS number

Within three months of registering you will be sent a new medical card with your NHS number. It will give details of your new GP and NHS Islington.

When can I see my GP?

The practice will tell you what their opening hours are and what appointment system they have. They should provide a leaflet with this information. GPs provide an out of hours service when the practice is closed. Phone your practice for details. You should be able to have a consultation with a GP within two days or be seen on the day if you are unwell and it is an emergency. If you prefer to book ahead for an appointment with the GP/clinician of your choice, you should be able to book an appointment in advance. Most practices will be able to offer appointments up to two weeks in advance.

Do I have to pay?

• Most GP services are free. You may have to pay for non-essential things such as travel vaccinations or reports for insurance companies. You have to pay for prescriptions unless you are:
  aged under 16
• aged under 19 and in full-time education
• aged 60 or over
• in receipt of
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

Or if you are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate. You may not have to pay for prescriptions at all if you have a condition on the prescription charge exemption list. Ask your GP practice for details. If you regularly pay for more than five prescriptions in a four month period you could save money using the pre-payment scheme. The scheme allows you to buy a pre-payment certificate you can use to pay for prescriptions. For more information call 0845 850 0030.

If you are on a low income

If you are on a low income you may be able to get full or partial help towards NHS charges for things such as prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and glasses or travel for treatment. The amount you get will depend on your income. You may not be entitled to any help if you have too much in savings. To claim, fill in form HC1, which you can get from local benefit offices, NHS hospitals, dentists, opticians and
pharmacists.

If a GP Practice refuses to register me, what do I do?

A doctor may refuse to register you if their list is full. If this is the case they should display a poster explaining their list is temporarily full. A doctor cannot refuse to take you on because of your age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, financial status, disability or medical condition. If you have tried to register at four practices and they all have full lists, contact NHS Islington’s Patient Information Line on 020 7527 1182 / 1183 / 1185.

Can I change my GP?

You have the right to change your GP without giving a reason. You then have to find a new one in the way described in this leaflet in the section ‘How to register.’

Registration - permanent or temporary

Use permanent registration if you are likely to live in Islington at one address for more than three months. Permanent registration means you can be registered with a medical card and have your records transferred to your new GP. Or you can register as a temporary patient for up to three months. This is useful if you are staying away from home for a short period of time and need medical care.

Being taken off a GP’s list

GPs have the right to remove patients from their list. If this happens you can ask them for the reason in writing.

Is there a Doctor that speaks a language other than English?

Some GPs speak languages other than English (see the GP list for who speaks what). An interpreter can be arranged when you see a GP or other practice staff. It has to be booked three (minimum) working days in advance (it is free and confidential). Most practices have access to telephone interpreting services, which your practice will know.

Access for Deaf patients

Sign Language interpreting

Your GP can arrange for a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, or you can contact the service directly:

BSL Interpreting Service
23-26 St Alban’s Place
London N1 0NX
Tel: 020 7527 3962, Fax: 020 7527
3275, Minicom: 020 7527 6067.

Most practices will also arrange for Deaf patients to communicate with them by either fax or email and some have textphones; you can also use Typetalk. For more information contact the Patient Information Line by
textphone: 020 7527 1085 or email interpretor.signlanguage@islington.gov.uk

SignHealth

‘SignHealth’ enables doctors and practice staff to communicate with Deaf patients. Health staff chooses what they want to ask the patient from a list of questions on the computer screen. The computer then shows a video clip of someone signing the questions. The Deaf patient answers, mostly yes or no but can also select from a list of on screen answers. It is not a replacement for a BSL interpreter but it can be useful when one is not available. It can also print out information in 12 different languages.

Making a suggestion, comment or complaint about your GP

If you have a complaint, or want to make your views known about care you have received from your GP or practice staff, you should speak to someone at the practice first. In many cases the problem can be sorted out straight away.

You can also contact the Patient Advice and Complaints service.

The complaints service will tell you how to make a complaint and help you do so. Click the link above for more information about the service.