Registering with a GP in the UK

Booking appointments

Demand is high, so learn how your practice works. Many use a morning phone queue or an online triage form. You may speak to a GP, nurse, pharmacist or physiotherapist depending on your problem. Routine appointments can take one to three weeks, while urgent same day problems are usually seen the same day.

Prescriptions

In England there is a fixed charge per prescription item for most adults. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prescriptions are free. If you need regular medication, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate covers all items for three or twelve months and saves money if you need more than a few items a year.

Pharmacists can also treat many minor conditions through the Pharmacy First service in England, including sore throats, earache, sinusitis and urinary infections, often without a GP appointment.

When the GP is closed

• NHS 111 (phone or online) for urgent advice when it is not an emergency
• Urgent treatment centres and walk-in centres for injuries and illnesses that cannot wait
• 999 or A&E only for emergencies: chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe bleeding, signs of stroke

Dentists and opticians

Dentists are separate from GPs and NHS dental places can be very hard to find. Register with a dentist as soon as possible and expect NHS dental charges in bands. Eye tests are free for some groups, otherwise around 25 pounds at high street opticians.

Moving house

If you move outside your practice's catchment area, you will need to register with a new practice. Your records transfer automatically once you register elsewhere.

A few final tips

• Bring a list of your medications with generic names, as brand names differ between countries
• Ask your home doctor for a summary letter of any chronic conditions
• Keep vaccination records, especially for children starting school

Registering early means that when you do need care, you are not trying to navigate the system while unwell.

This guide is general information for planning. Rules and prices change, so always confirm with the official source before you apply or sign anything.