registering with a doctor

Contact the GP practice you have registered with and explain the situation, I’m sure they will be able to help.

Just phone the practice and explain. The nurse cannot give you a prescription in any case, so ask to speak or see one of the GPs straight away.

I had to change GPs after 26 years, but was stuck with the nearest which I had spent quarter of a century avoiding. I, too, had to see a nurse first and there was a delay.

The nurse was lovely and very efficient and kind. There was a lot of checking of medical history etc and weighing and measuring and blood pressure and urine tests. It was all stuff that would have wasted a doctor's time - indeed, probably wasted the nurse's time - but meant they knew what condition I was in when they took me on, which was just as well as my medical records went via Timbuctoo to travel the 20 miles. I'm not sure what would have happened if they had refused to have me (I'm told that hardly ever happens) as there was/is no other option in this rural area. However, the good thing is that the nurse cottoned on that I was anxious about the switch and signed me up with a doctor indistinguishable from my lovely former GP, though I accept that in an emergency I might have to see somebody else.

I think the whole sign-up procedure is a bit of a triage, whether you come from abroad or next door, but if your prescription needs renewing you should get back to them now and if the receptionist can't help, try speaking to your local pharmacist who might be able to lean on them.

Fennel Also sign up for your future prescriptions to be sent through to your local Pharmacy and they will arrange for either home delivery or for you to collect when they are ready saves going back and forth to the Surgery.

Welcome back Fennel. As you may gather the NHS is under severe strain and there is a shortage of GPs. A 2 week wait is quite quick in my experience, but the bonus is we don't have to pay for it - yet! Most GPs have strict catchment areas which means that there is often no choice for patients. Hopefully you can sort out your prescription if you speak to them.

As they won’t have your medical records from France ( I assume) I’m sure they will need to be very careful before issuing you a prescription. Ring up or even better pop in and talk to the receptionist about getting an appointment to see the doctor ASAP. Have you any documentation to prove you’re on the medication you need?

Maryeliza, our surgery has a Nurse that is able to write prescriptions, I think she might be the first call for first time patients, unless an urgent appointment is requested with a Doctor.

There are prescribing nurses Wildswan
If there is a wait for signing up ask if you can have a visitors prescription if needed before your sign up is complete

Thanks for all the replies - so this is the usual procedure.
maryeliza - I've got lots of medical reports, including blood tests, hospital reports etc plus my last prescription so that should be OK.

Hi Fennel, we came back to the UK last September after 17 years in France. We registered with our nearest doctor and had an initial appointment, like you, with a 2 week wait. I too needed a prescription but had brought enough tablets with me from France to see me through the initial period. My doctor in France had let me have 3 months' supply to see us through the initial settling in period. If you need your prescription soon, ring the surgery or call in and explain. You may need proof of residency in the UK such as a recent utility bill or a council tax bill, that is, if you have had time to receive these. Good luck and welcome back!

Well hopefully then it should be easy to get a prescription - good luck.