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.