Choosing a doctor
I NEED A DOCTOR!
General Practitioners – At the Heart of the Medical Service
For the majority of people, GPs are probably their principal contact with health care professionals. As you will gather from their title, General practitioners are very experienced in diagnosing and treating common illnesses and health problems.
Their training and continuous professional development means that a GP keeps up to date with emerging health problems and remains alert to new/proven treatments.
Your doctor and his/her staff will play an influential role in their local Primary Care Group and be able to help you and your family with virtually all your healthcare needs. However, on occasions you may be referred by your GP to see a specialist. These are doctors who have developed expertise, skills and knowledge in specific areas of the body and mind. You may have acute back problems, heart problems or you could be feeling very depressed. In these instance your GP would advise on the illness and refer you to a consultant who specialises in that particular problem.
TEAM WORKING
Your GP working from a dedicated surgery or within a clinic is an important member of a community-based team representing a wide range of medical and health professionals.
The team often comprises:
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Practice Nurse (s)
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District Nurse (s)
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Health Visitors
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Physiotherapists
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Chiropodist
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Psychiatric Nursing
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Social and Welfare Advisors
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Dieticians
Your GP will ensure that the team works efficiently and effectively to respond to you and your family’s medical needs.
WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF A GP?
As a medical doctor, a GP’s prime responsibility is to his/her patient. They will not only diagnose and provide treatment which helps people recover from illness but they are increasingly concerned with preventing illness and wherever possible early detection of diseases.
They will do this through a series of actions and initiatives including;
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Health check-ups at which your GP will undertake a range of tests to determine your general health e.g. blood pressure, urine tests. Certain medical examinations required by third parties e.g. health insurers, companies may be charged for by your GP. There may also be a nominal fee charged by your GP for signing say a passport form.
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Specialised examinations aimed at detecting specific health problems e.g. Cervical Smear:
Immunisations:
Your Doctor will undertake immunisations for specific illnesses such as whooping cough, measles or Meningitis. Immunisations may also be required for Travellers visiting foreign countries where they may be exposed to higher risk e.g malaria, cholera.
Your GP will also help when you are not well enough to work. They will examine you and if appropriate issue your employer with a “sick certificate” outlining your illness and recommending a suitable period off work.
For pregnancy your GP will help you throughout and ensure that you and your unborn child receive all the support you need. Your GP will also be around during the infant and child’s development to ensure that you and your family continue to receive high quality medical advice. For many people, their GP is often with them from infant to adulthood.
SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SEEN BY A GP
The quick answer is YES! Everyone has the right to see a GP.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Local Health Authorities provide information on GPs within their area including details on the surgery and the service provided.
This information is available from your local library and other public agencies. If you are not currently registered or are moving area then your new local Health Authority will help you identify and register with a suitable GP.
GPs themselves publish practice leaflets about their practice and its services and you should walk round your new area and look for a GP. You can then ask in the surgery for the above information.
DO I NEED TO TAKE MY MEDICAL CARD WHEN REGISTERING?
Registration with your new GP will be quick if you take your current medical card but do not worry if you cannot find it, the Health Authority will help you register.
DOES THE GP HAVE TO ACCEPT ME AS A PATIENT?
Clearly, the doctor/patient relationship is an important one and it is essential that there is mutual trust and confidence. It would be extremely rare for a GP to refuse to register you as a patient but if this happens your Health Authority will help you find a suitable GP.
SHOULD I REGISTER MY CHILDREN?
Children under the age of 16 years should be registered by their parents. It is possible to have separate GPs for husband or wife and this applies to your children. In practice, it makes more sense to have the same GP for the entire family. As the GP builds up a considerable knowledge of the family’s medical history over time.
I WANT TO CHANGE MY GP?
Hopefully, unless you are moving to a new area, there will be no need to change your doctor. If however you feel that you want to change the doctor, you have the right to register with another GP. Once registered, your medical records will be transferred automatically to your new doctor.
CAN MY GP REMOVE ME FROM HIS/HER LIST?
YES! A GP can remove you from his/her register and the patient will be informed of this by letter from the Health Authority. You will still be entitled to treatment from your GP for eight days from the date of the letter informing you of the removal or until you are accepted by another GP. It is rare for a GP to remove a patient from their register. It may be due to a violent and unacceptable attitude by the patient towards the doctor and their staff. Other reasons may be irreconcilable differences in diagnosis and treatment or continued non-attendance for appointments.
HOW DO I VISIT MY DOCTOR?
The majority of GPs operate an appointment system in which you can book by telephoning the surgery or by calling in person.
Appointments help the practice run efficiently and effectively and wherever possible you are advised to make an appointment. The time and length of appointment will depend on the nature of your visit.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED AN URGENT VISIT?
Your doctor will always try to see you quickly so if you need to see your GP then explain your situation to the practice receptionist and they will help you. In group practices where there is more then one GP you may be asked to see another doctor.
AS A NEW PATIENT WILL I NEED A CHECK-UP?
GPs are obliged to invite all new patients to attend a check-up within 28 days of being registered. The GP will then document the patient’s medical history including:
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Illness, immunisations, allergies, hereditary problems, medical tests carried in the past;
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Social factors, including employment, housing and family;
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Lifestyle, including smoking, diet, exercise, alcohol, use of drugs.
The doctor must also carry out a physical examination covering blood pressure, height, weight and urine sample.
In some practices, the practice nurse will carry out these checks. If the patient is unable to visit the surgery because of a physical condition the health checks can be carried out in the patient’s home.
DO I HAVE ACCESS TO 24 HOUR EMERGENCY CARE?
YES! All patients have access to a 24 hour GP service. Whilst the vast majority of doctor/patient consultations are undertaken during normal surgery hours, there are occasions when you need to obtain emergency advice.
Within Primary Care Groups, there are deputising services/GP Co-operatives in place. These organisations were founded in 1997 by a group of GPs and offer out-of-hour cover for general practices. Your GP is obliged to provide patients with the telephone number of the named deputising service.