ElizabethK

Can anyone advise me if I have to be in a catchment area to register at a Doctor's surgery in England?

I've been googling a few near where we'll be living and prefer the look & facilities of some more than others, but when I rang one of them I was told I couldn't register with them as I was out of their boundary limits.

I've obviously become so used to the US healthcare system and the ability to pick and choose where I go, that I'm now surprised that I cannot seem to register with whichever dr's I choose in UK?
Why should it matter if I'm prepared to drive more than a mile or two to get there?

dunroving

Yes, I'm afraid that's how things work here. If you want to pick and choose, you could go private, like the US.

rebs

Not sure it's still the same now, but historically one of the reasons for 'catchment' areas was for home visits.

spouse of scouse

It actually sounds fair to me. There'd be lots of people who don't have a car and/or can't travel far to a doctor, including people with a disability, parents with young kids, older people etc. It makes sense to reserve local doctors for local people.

luvwelly

Yes for GPs there has never been a choice but since Group practices exist, you will likely find at least one you get on with. Usually if you move house but not too far away, you can stay put though.

At least for NHS dentists you have total free choice lol....but then I would go private for dentistry for many reasons.

There is extremely limited availability of private GP services in UK Dunroving surely? Unless you are suggesting she persuades an individual GP to take her on as an 'out of catchment' private patient? Seems pointless since you have to use NHS GP to get access to BUPA private services anyway.

dunroving

I'm not sure of the details as I don't have private health care in the UK - I was just saying that you have more choice with private health care. Even in the US, you have restricted choice with private health care plans - most of them these days either require you to choose from a list of PSP's (Preferred Service Provider), or if you want more flexibility, the costs are higher.

Although with NHS you have limited choice of which practice you sign up with, in most cities the practices are large enough that you can within reason ask for an appointment with a specific doctor. I only ever see one of the two doctors at our practice, just by being flexible in when I ask for an appointment.

mikelincs

You only really have a choice of practice if you are in a large urban area where there may well be more than one practice covering that area, live in a small plaace or village, and you will have very little choice where we live there are 3 group practices, but two of them use the same health centre, and share facilities and nursing personnel

ElizabethK

That's a shame as the one I really liked the look of is only 2 miles from my UK house, but still at least I won't have to pay to see a dr. when I'm there ( yes I know indirectly I'll pay through NI & taxes, but at least I won't have to sign a cheque upon leaving the dr's office)

tomkent45

You can choose the doctor depending on the ones available in your area. You can check the web site of NHS system to read reviews of customers.

The site is nhs.uk, check the box "Health services near to you"

mayhemuk

Ha! I remember having to sign a cheque to enter the doctors office!! And again when getting a script if any.

spouse of scouse

I was amazed at how inexpensive quality heath care is in the UK. I went to a walk in clinic at Ormskirk hospital, I took my Oz passport and other documents as I was expecting to have to prove I was eligible for treatment under the reciprocal health agreement (and was quite prepared to pay full whack if necessary). I didn't have to do anything except give my name and the address I was currently staying at (friend's place in Liverpool). I saw a really nice and skilled doctor for a half an hour appointment, and when I filled my two prescriptions it cost about 6 quid!

In Australia I would have been up for about $160, with a $35 rebate from Medicare.