General Practice
GPs look after the health of people in their local community and deal with a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, offer advice on smoking and diet, run clinics, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical operations.
GPs usually work in practices as part of a team, which includes nurses, healthcare assistants, practice managers, receptionists and other staff. Practices also work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as health visitors, midwives, and social services.
How to register with a GP
Anyone in England can register with a GP surgery. It's free to register.
You do not need proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number.
You might be able to register with a GP surgery that's not in the area you live.
GP surgeries are usually the first contact if you have a health problem. They can treat many conditions and give health advice. They can also refer you to other NHS services.
- For more information on how to choose a GP, click here.
- For general questions on GP appointments, click here.
To find you nearest GP surgery click here.
New Doctors of the World translated animations – how to register with a GP and book a COVID vaccine
Doctors of the World has shared new translated animations, which include 11 steps on how everybody can register with a GP without the need for documentation, and how to book vaccine appointments. View here.
Evening and weekend apppointments
In NW London we offer evening and weekend GP appointments through a network of local practices.
Appointments are available from 8am-8pm seven days a week including Bank Holidays.
You can access evening and weekend appointments by calling your GP practice to book an appointment or by calling NHS 111.
GP out of hours
If you need to get access to a GP out of surgery hours you should call your GP practice, the answer phone service will provide you with the contact number for their out of hours service.
Phone appointments
Our GP practices offer phone appointments, as well as face-to-face appointments.
Our GPs can help many people over the phone without the need to come into the surgery.
Over the phone GPs can:
- assess you
- provide help & advice
- organise tests & prescriptions
- make a referral
- book you in to be seen face-to-face if they need to see you.
GP online services
Online consultations - many of our GP practices have a link to an online consultation form on the practice website. You can use this form to contact your GP, responses are provided within two working days.
Please do not use this form for urgent issues. You will find more details about the service on your own GP practice website.
The NHS app will allow you to access a range of services via your computer or mobile.
Once you have signed up, you will be able to:
- book or cancel appointments online with a GP or nurse.
- renew or order repeat prescriptions online.
- view parts of your GP health record, including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results.
The service is free. Everyone who is registered with a GP can have access to their practice's online services. For more details, see NHS.UK.
Patient choice
If your GP refers you… you can choose
Our CCGs meet the standards for patient choice. If your GP needs to refer you to a particular service for a physical or mental health condition, in most cases you have a legal right to choose which hospital or service you go to. You can also choose where to give birth. This includes NHS and many private hospitals that provide services to the NHS. You may also choose your clinical team led by a consultant or named healthcare professional.
There are a number of places where you can access information about hospitals and services:
- You can ask your GP about what might be the best choice for you, once you tell them what matters to you most.
- You can compare information about hospitals, services and consultants at www.nhs.uk. This website includes information about the quality of care, waiting times, parking and travel. Simply search using the ‘Services Near You’ option available at the top of page. You can also search according to the operations and treatments that the hospitals or services offer.
For more information on your rights around patient choice, you can visit www.nhs.uk/patientchoice, ask your GP, or read this online leaflet.
