What if I'm ill but my GP surgery is closed?

Sometimes you may be very ill and need to see a doctor outside normal surgery opening hours. For example, you may fall ill over the weekend when your doctor’s practice is closed. If this happens, you (or a friend or relative) should call your GP surgery. You will either get through to a duty doctor or there will be a recorded message telling you how you can contact the doctor on duty. Most doctors have formed co-operatives with other practices to provide out-of-hours care, so the doctor you see will not necessarily be from your own practice. If you are in England or Wales you can also contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice from a nurse 24 hours a day. NHS Direct can also give you the number of an out-of-hours service. If you are living in Scotland call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

There is no similar line in Northern Ireland, but your local health and social services board can give details of primary care services in your area, including your GP out-of-hours service.

What if I'm too ill to get to my doctor?

You or your partner may be too unwell or infirm to visit your doctor: for example, if you are terminally ill or unable to leave your bed. If you are unable to visit your GP surgery for medical reasons, you can ask your doctor to make a home visit.

Call your GP surgery. Your doctor may be able to give you advice over the phone and will visit you if they think it is necessary. If possible, try to call your doctor in the morning if you think you need a visit the same day.

What if I'm not registered with a doctor or am away from home?

You should always be able to see a doctor if you need urgent attention. If you are away from home or have not registered with a family doctor and you fall ill, you should contact the nearest surgery and ask them to see you. You can receive emergency treatment for 14 days. After that you will need to register as a temporary resident. You can be a temporary resident for up to three months. You will still be able to remain registered as a patient with the doctor where you normally live.
If you do have to go to see the doctor as an emergency, it will help if you can provide some information about your medical history. Remember to tell the doctor about:

• ongoing medical problems
• medical problems you have had
• the name of any medicines you are taking
• whether you are allergic to anything
• the contact details of your previous or permanent doctor.

If you are going to be living somewhere for more than three months you should register with a local doctor as a permanent resident.

What if I want to change my doctor?

You have the right to change your doctor without giving a reason. If you want to change your doctor, you need to follow the same procedure for registering with a doctor - see the section called Registering with a family doctor.

What if I move into a care home?

Everyone has the right to be treated by a family doctor, whether or not they are living in a care home. If you move into a care home in your area you may be able to keep the same doctor if this is what you want. You will need to ask your doctor if this is possible. If your doctor is not able to carry on treating you, ask your care home for advice on which GP surgery you should join. Care homes often have a number of local doctors that treat residents. If you move into a care home in a different area you will have to register with a new doctor. Your care home should be able to tell you which local doctors treat the other residents.