When you move practice, you will lose any online access that you previously had to your medical records. You can gain access to your new records at Ivy Court but you will not be able to see your previous practice’s record straight away. If you want to have access to that data again, you will have to apply to setup a new Patient Access account but your old records will only be available after they have been transferred from your previous GP surgery.
You cannot become a short-term/temporary patient at a healthcare facility in the town or region where you are already officially registered.
If you aren’t currently registered with a general practitioner, you won’t have the opportunity to consult with one unless it’s an urgent matter. In most situations, contacting 111 is the recommended course of action.
Immediate Necessity for Medical Care
If you fall ill while away from your home but require the services of a general practitioner, you can receive urgent care at a local GP clinic for a period of 14 days. Beyond this 14-day period, you’ll be required to either register as a temporary patient or become a permanent patient.
Temporary Patient Registration
Temporary patient status can be granted for a duration of up to three months. During this time, you’ll be included on the practice’s patient list, whilst still maintaining your status as a permanent patient with your primary GP. When the three-month period concludes, you will need to either renew your temporary patient status or transition to permanent registration with that practice.
To initiate your registration as a temporary patient, simply get in touch with the local practice you wish to use. It’s important to note that practices are not obliged to accept you as a temporary patient, but they do have a responsibility to provide emergency treatment or guide you to an appropriate healthcare service, and the temporary surgery will not have full access to your medical records.
When visiting a temporary GP for the first time, it’s beneficial to have a “brief summary” from your registered GP practice, this should be made available to you upon request to your registered surgery, but if for any reason you are unable to obtain this, then the following information ideally needs to be readily available:
- Details of any existing medical conditions.
- Information on prior medical conditions you have experienced.
- The names of any medications you are currently taking.
- Information regarding any allergies.
- Contact information for your permanent or previous GP surgery.
