Registering with a GP in Britain

I'm sure this question has been answered before, but if any of you can restate the answer I need, I would sincerely appreciate your patience.

Later this summer I will be moving to the UK indeffinitely.  I believe I am entitled to free NHS care because of my dual citizenship with the Republic of Ireland (EU).  I consider myself fortunate enough to carry life long BlueCross & BlueShield (BCBS) health insurance into retirement from my employer in the USA.  According to the Blue Cross & Blue Shield (BCBS) company's website there is a "Family Practitioner" and a "General Pratitioner" physician in the city where I will be settling in Britain (Liverpool) who both honour the BCBS medical insurance.  However, the rules in the UK are that I have to pay up front for any medical coverage and Blue Cross & Blue Shield reimburses me those out of pocket expenses later.  My question is, through your experience do you think I should see if I can register with either of these physicians under the NHS as well?  Or do physicians who take private insurance claims usually not take on patients under the free NHS coverage?  Eitherway, what do I have to do to register with a GP (..or FP?)?  Should I try and find a NHS doctor close to where I'll live in the UK who will take me on (I hear most doctors these days aren't taking on too many new patients), or am I better off contacting one of the two doctors in the area who accept BCBS, paying for my medical care, and waiting to get reimbursed later by BCBS?

Any personal anecdotes with the NHS will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

personally...i would register with a GP in the UK.  and then only go see one of these private doctors if you're not happy with the GP care, or if you need something done urgently (and can't/won't wait for NHS care). 

you need to register for a GP in the area where you'll be living.  I've never heard of having a problem getting on a GP list in the UK.  you can find the nearest doctor's surgeries on this website. http://www.nhs.uk/England/Doctors/Default.aspx

now finding an NHS dentist... that's where you may have problems finding a local one taking on new patients.

Unfortunately the NHS is a bit of a post-code lottery. I have a good GP at the same practice as my husband - the practice has been great for both little and big problems and we never have to wait for an appointment. I know how lucky we are in that respect though. If a GP isn't taking new patients, often another doctor in the same practice will be.

The dentist is also a bit hit or miss but in our area I was able to find one accepting NHS patients with only a couple of phone calls. Go tohttp://www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/LocalSearch.aspx to search your area for someone taking new patients.

I've had nothing but positive experiences with the NHS, but I do accept that some areas are not as good....