Moving house can be a challenging time. When you aren’t packing your belongings, you are busy trying not to forget to clear all your final bills or notify the utility providers of your change of address.
There are many things to consider when moving and you might be wondering if you need to change your GP in the process.
To make things easier for you, we came up with 3 steps to follow when having an NHS change of address.
1. Update The Nhs With Your New Address
Whether you will need to change your GP or not, it is important to notify them when you move house. Updating the NHS with your new address is one of the most important steps to do when moving out.
The practice must have your current address to be able to contact you in case of emergency or even on routine occasions. In most cases, this has to be done in writing, either by filling in a form at the surgery or completing it online.
2. Find Out If You Need To Change Your Gp Or If You Can Stay With The Same Practice
If you are not moving out of the catchment area of your present GP, you might not need to change practitioners. Once you decided to move and found your new place, it’s worth calling your GP to find out whether they will be still able to continue treating you. If your new address is close by, the GP surgery will need to advise the Commissioning Group (CCG) that they’re willing to have you as a patient.
If you consider registering with a GP closer to your children’s school or your workplace, you can do so, as long as it is convenient for referrals, hospital tests and treatments.
3. Register with a New GP
Once you confirmed your move-out date and sorted the logistical side of moving, like a contract, tenancy agreement or other paperwork, and your new address is out of your current GP’s catchment area, take some time to find the closest surgeries to you. In this case, you do not need to inform your practice that you are leaving them- all it takes is to register with a new GP surgery.
Before registering though, you should keep in mind that some GP practices will not take on new patients, whether because they are understaffed or they have reached full capacity. Once you narrow down your list to a few that can take you on, you should look at what each has to offer and which is best suited for your needs.
Once you have found your new GP, you can register online, through the NHS portal or complete a form at the practice. After the registration is completed, you can get your records transferred over from your old GP to the new one.
Next Steps
Having a GP change of address goes hand in hand with the moving process. Before registering with a new practice, however, it’s worth checking if you can continue to be treated by your current GP. No matter what situation applies to you, make sure to change your address with the NHS when moving house.
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