Can you stay with your doctor when you move

[geordiegirl1]

We are due to move home soon and although there are surgeries nearer we would like to keep the same doctor we have had for the past 25 years . Our new home will be about 2 miles away from our current home but is in a different post code. I have not yet contacted my doctor, but before we do I would like to know what our rights are.

[Maydup]

I think you'll be OK if you're only 2 miles away but it depends on the surgery. When we moved 15 miles away we did change doctors but still drive back to the old dentist.

Can you google the surgey to see if they show their boundaries?

[EDDIE51]

Yes you can be with any doctor you like. It does not depend on your address.

[woofgang]

our surgery covers a ton of postcodes..you need to know where the catchment area ends.

[woofgang]

actually you cant be with any doctor you want. The surgeries have catchment areas.

[EDDIE51]

My daughter has moved 60 miles away but she still comes back to see the same doctor . She wants to stay with the one who has known her since birth.

[Maydup]

We tried to register with a doctor in one village but they sent us to the village in the opposite direction as we were'nt in the correct catchment area. It depends on the surgey Eddie.

[marval]

According to the Citizens Advice website.

If you move out of GP’s area

If you are changing address, but are not moving too far, you may wish to stay with your current GP. You should ask the GP if they are willing to continue treating and visiting you at the new address. A GP can continue to treat you if you have moved out of their practice area, but they will have to assure the Primary Care Trust (PCT) that they are willing to continue visiting and treating you.

[atalanta]

The old surgery will probably agree that you can stay with them, on condition that they do not take responsibility for you ( and visiting you) out of hours. This might not bother you, unless you have children.

[k8bailey]

we recently moved 6 miles away and our GP sent us a letter saying that we would have to register with another surgery. I can't remember the reasons stated, but I guess each practice/area may have their own rules.