6 months in country and then we can treat you...

I just called the GP to make an appointment and was told, "We can't see you unless you have been here for 6 months.  Visa or not.  Six months in the country is required! You must show a utility bill in order to prove this." 

Ummm...so what happens if I get really ill?

Correct me if I am wrong, but, this is crap, right?

I need an appointment to sort out some meds.  What do I do now?

that is bullshit.Speak to someone else who has a bit more common sense!!!

My first day here I registered with a GP and got seen that day (was preggers!)

That is crap.

You are here on a settlement visa.  You are entitled to NHS care.  

I'm pretty sure someone posted on here something you can quote to or show them...

I'm pretty sure someone posted on here something you can quote to or show them...

Perhaps my visa? 

And they were so incredibly rude over the phone, I can't even tell you.  Like I was causing problems or something...

Same thing happened for us.  No one would even register us until I kicked up a stink with the local authority and the manager registered us. 

Make sure you have supplemental health insurance. 

Just a GP visit is £25 so it's not too bad. 

Just tell them you'll pay upfront.

When I was at our doctors office the other day getting a prescription refilled I overheard a conversation with a patient.  He was new and wanted to make an appointment, she asked for his passport, photo copied it and told him they would call him to schedule an appt.  Nothing about having to wait 6 months to be seen. 

That's just ridiculous Dar, so sorry they were so rude to you.  Seems being a foreigner here just gets more and more difficult. 

Immediately after I arrived here on my fiance visa, I received a letter ordering me to register with a GP.

Immediately after I arrived here on my fiance visa, I received a letter ordering me to register with a GP.

This is so confusing!  If I am entitled to care, how do I prove this to the GP?

Make sure you have supplemental health insurance. 

Just a GP visit is £25 so it's not too bad. 

Just tell them you'll pay upfront.

She's entitled to NHS and she should do no such thing as get supplemental insurance and pay ANYTHING up front.  She's working and paying NIC - she's entitled to health care - Full Stop.

Load o' crap. Is there another surgery in your area you can try?

Ring them back. Tell them you checked with the HO and you are entitled to immediate care and if they would like to dispute that, you would be happy to get them and your local councillor involved.

Same thing happened for us.  No one would even register us until I kicked up a stink with the local authority and the manager registered us. 

Make sure you have supplemental health insurance. 

Just a GP visit is £25 so it's not too bad. 

Just tell them you'll pay upfront.

Also, one shouldn't have to have supplemental care!  I don't intend to.  Also, I was easily seen by NHS as a *visitor* before I realized I wasn't supposed to do that.

Dar, I think you just have to speak with someone else or perhaps register at a different GP office if possible.

Bottom line is you are on a settement visa and are entitled to NHS the second you stepped off of that plane.

That's absolute crap.

If I am entitled to care, how do I prove this to the GP?

Straight from the horse's mouth:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=1087

My advice?  Find another GP surgery.   Even here in Redcar, there were at least a dozen to choose from in our area.  My first surgery sucked; my second surgery is soooo much better (I don't really deal with any one GP, but rather a NP who specialised in diabetes, and since I'm in so often to see her the receptionists have gotten to know me - it's almost like home!).

Did you just speak to reception or to the practice manager?

Did you just speak to reception or to the practice manager?

Just reception.  They said to come in and someone would get all the details sorted.

I rang two more GP's in our area.  Guess what?  SAME THING!!!

I think I just need to go in there and pull the local councillor crap.  And Meg, thanks for the link!  I have printed it out and I will be taking a copy of that with me.

I am soooo angry!  I need my thyroid pills refilled in two months.  Since I no longer have a thyroid, without the pills, I could get seriously ill.

If worse comes to worse, I will call the Department of Health.  Due to my job, I work with them on a daily basis and could probably get a written statement if need be.  But first, I will try the link Meg gave me.

Dar, call the registration department at your Primary Care Trust.  They should be able to help you out (too bad you don't live in Sheffield or else I would get my colleagues to sort it for you!)