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Choosing
your General
Practitioner (GP)
You
can get lists of GPs from:
- Health
and Social Services Councils;
- Health
and Social Services Boards;
- Central
Services Agency (CSA);
- Citizens'
Advice Bureaux;
- Main
public libraries; and
- Yellow
Pages.
For
more information ask the staff at your GP practice for a
copy of their practice leaflet. This will tell you about
the full range of services they offer.
Registration
- You
have a right to be registered with a GP.
- You
will need a medical card issued in Northern Ireland to
register with a GP.
- To
obtain a medical card you need to complete form HS22X
(available from your Doctor's surgery or the Central Services
Agency).
You
are entitled to:
- a
free health check when you register with a doctor for
the first time;
- a
yearly health check in your own home if you are over 75;
- be
referred to a consultant acceptable to you when your doctor
thinks it necessary;
- be
referred for a second opinion if you and your doctor agree
this is desirable.
Seeing
your GP at the surgery
You
can see your GP during surgery hours depending on the appointment
system in use. The practice leaflet will give full details
of surgery hours, how to make an appointment, and what you
should do if you need to see a doctor when the surgery is
closed.
Home
visits
If
you can't get to your doctor's surgery, he or she may visit
you at home. If you want a home visit, you should ask as
early in the day as possible.
Emergencies
You
can get emergency medical care from a GP at any time. If
there is an emergency, you should phone the surgery. If
the surgery is closed you will be given a number to contact.
Away
from home
If
you are away from home for less than three months you can
ask another GP to accept you as a temporary patient.
Access
to health records
In
most cases, you have a right to read your medical notes
written after 29 May 1994. There is more information in
a separate leaflet called 'Seeing
your medical records'.
Charges
Most
basic GP treatment is free. Contact your Health and Social
Services Council or Board for details.
Unless
you are entitled to free prescriptions you will have to
pay. Leaflet HC11 which you can get from social security
offices, post offices or the Central Services Agency gives
details about getting free prescriptions.
Changing
GPs
You
can change your GP by going to a new GP and asking to be
registered. You do not have to give a reason for changing.
If you have difficulty in arranging a new GP the Central
Services Agency will help.
If
things go wrong
If
you can't keep an appointment, tell your GP as soon as possible.
If you are not satisfied with your treatment, talk it over
with the GP.
You
have the right to take your complaint further. For more
information on how to complain, contact your Health and
Social Services Council.
You
have a right to be treated politely with respect for your
privacy and dignity.
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