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

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!)

Will do!  Thanks!   

Here's my saga of getting registered...  You're not the only one.  And make sure you tell them that your DH is registered and you would like the same please!

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=7915.45

Perhaps some of the confusion is that if you are here as a whatever you need a visa that lasts longer than 6 months to get NHS access.  So Bunac people don't get NHS and neither do short term students.

Either way, it doesn't affect you.

That is SO incorrect it's unbelievable.

Dar, please please please ring 0800 587 0879 - tell them that a friend at Bucks PCT PALS told you to ring them. This is the sort of thing that they need to hear about. And they'll also be able to have a word with the practice manager who can teach his misinformed reception staff!!!

Do MrsPink and Dar live in the same county/PCT? Maybe it's an error just at that level... anyone else heard of this happening elsewhere? I've lived in 4 counties and been to 7 different surgeries and never had this issue.

Do MrsPink and Dar live in the same county/PCT? Maybe it's an error just at that level... anyone else heard of this happening elsewhere? I've lived in 4 counties and been to 7 different surgeries and never had this issue.

No, it happens everywhere. It's down to the information that the surgery staff are given. Some are very up-to-date and have a lot of patients from other countries, some (especially out in the countryside) are... not. We have some surgeries in Bucks that need pretty much constant reminding about things like this....

It happens everywhere... the first surgery I tried (in Bedfordshire) gave me a hard time.  Thankfully the second one was lovely.  Hope you get it sorted soon Dar!

I guess I'll consider myself lucky then. I've been to several very rural surgeries and never had an issue!

Dar, hope you get it taken care of asap. What a PITA!!!

I would definately change surgeries, Dar. Seems they've been giving you a hassle since day one.

I was treated for an ear infection and got B/C pills while here on a visitors visa! No problems at all! You don't deserve to be treated so poorly.

I was under the same trust as MrsPink, but, we just moved to Northamptonshire, so I am now under another trust.  I didn't have time to call them today, Anne, but will do in the morning!

Thank you, everyone! 

No, it happens everywhere. It's down to the information that the surgery staff are given. Some are very up-to-date and have a lot of patients from other countries, some (especially out in the countryside) are... not.

See, that's the part that (pleasantly) surprised me about Redcar & Cleveland PCT - we really DON'T seem to have a lot of immigrants in this area - certainly not compared to other areas in Yorkshire - and yet every single person I've dealt with at my current doctor's surgery is on the ball when it comes to matters like this - I really haven't had to do any self-education.

That's it!  I'll just move to Redcar! 

Dar, where are you in Northamptonshire, I live in the area and I haven't had any problem.

That's it!  I'll just move to Redcar! 

*makes up spare bed*

Our GP'S are great I never had a problem ever I went to them before I got my visa *spousal) I was here on a 6 month hol, I got a bad chest and ended up in hospital and I had health cover for that, but as soon as I got my spouse visa they put me straight on their books and over the phone they know us, especially me because I was so sick, and then when I went in I filled out a slip (Sonya did) to register with them and that was that no problems at all.

You are entitled to health care free of charge once your on a visa that allows it, such as a spouse visa/fiance ect.

Good luck

Indy and wife