How to acquire prescription meds?

Assuming you're moving to England (this advice is different in Wales, NI, Scotland)

But here's some good reading from the Citizen's Advice around your rights as a patient on the NHS

Hopefully you will end up with a GP that listens to you and pays attention!

Yes!

Like everyone says it all depends on the GP and your local practice.

That said, if you want to know more before you move you can check out local reviews (on the NHS site and using google with
discretion) of the practice which may have the information you need to know about getting reffered to specialists. NHS Choices Service Search is a good place to start, you can also begin to look up your particular conditions/specialists on the NHS Choices page to see what treatment choices are available here. You may have some surprises, good and bad, some treatment options just aren't available here - but some options are so much better - I was able to get a hearing aid for free on the NHS(!), something that would have cost $$$$ on my insurance back home.

Thank you, I had only gone halfway before with this info so I shall return to it!

I would suggest that if you're on prescription meds, you not only bring as much of a supply with you as possible to tide you over in case of a delay in getting a new script, but that you also research the drug alternative in this country. Whilst many of the same medications are available, some will have different names. Some may not be available at all, but something similar will be. Being well informed when you have you initial visit will help speed the process along as GPs may not be familiar with US drugs. Good luck

I am hoping our GP (who is excellent and loves medical education in the UK) will know how to supply us and that we can get them all in a carry-on! My husband had some drug differences when he moved here but no big deal.

Assuming you're moving to England (this advice is different in Wales, NI, Scotland)

But here's some good reading from the Citizen's Advice around your rights as a patient on the NHS

I really like Citizen's Advice.

In our surgery in London, the GP's were discouraged from referring to a specialist , and when they did it took quite a while to get a referral letter, then to actually get an appointment.  If you had private insurance and let the GP know that you were referred quickly with no questions.

This varies from surgery to surgery. If the surgery has been sending too many referrals theyre discouraged from sending more unless they absolutely have to. My last surgery it was like pulling teeth, my new one its not even up for debate - theyre forcing you to go.

Also, if you know WHERE youre moving to and know the post code, youll be able to search by GPs in the area via NHS Choices and most should have reviews from current or past patients on there:
http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Yourchoices/GPchoice/Pages/ChoosingaGP.aspx

If not there, reviews can be found via a quick google.

This varies from surgery to surgery. If the surgery has been sending too many referrals theyre discouraged from sending more unless they absolutely have to. My last surgery it was like pulling teeth, my new one its not even up for debate - theyre forcing you to go.

Also, if you know WHERE youre moving to and know the post code, youll be able to search by GPs in the area via NHS Choices and most should have reviews from current or past patients on there:
http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Yourchoices/GPchoice/Pages/ChoosingaGP.aspx

If not there, reviews can be found via a quick google.

Thank you. Yes I have the post code and area code down and will go see if I can find the reviews.

One concern I have is that I want us registered right away but will be in temporary accommodations. I wonder if doctors and others will understand. I mean we will be temporary but still in same town/post code. Any thoughts on this?

One concern I have is that I want us registered right away but will be in temporary accommodations. I wonder if doctors and others will understand. I mean we will be temporary but still in same town/post code. Any thoughts on this?

How will they know it is temporary? You can just give them your current address and say nothing more. Then when you move, you can tell them your new address. Or, if the new address is outside the local area covered by the GP surgery, you'll have to find a new GP after you have moved.

Some GPs won't make you switch. I moved across Bath and I thought I'd have to switch surgeries since I was in a different post code, but they said I didn't have to.

I don't think that having history with specialists means your GP will understand that you need them.  It's more that the GP will make his or her own assessment as to the necessity of specialist referrals.

I think that is correct.

DS, having grown up with the NHS, complains that his PCP here in the States simply refers him on to specialists and does practically nothing himself. He's seen consultants for shoulder pain, skin lesion and even ingrowing toenail -- most of which would have been handled by a GP back in the UK.

DS, having grown up with the NHS, complains that his PCP here in the States simply refers him on to specialists and does practically nothing himself. He's seen consultants for shoulder pain, skin lesion and even ingrowing toenail -- most of which would have been handled by a GP back in the UK.

Not necessarily anymore. I think it depends on your GP, but I know they're a dying breed as specialists are becoming more frequent. 

Some GPs won't make you switch. I moved across Bath and I thought I'd have to switch surgeries since I was in a different post code, but they said I didn't have to.

Admittedly, I'm still registered with my childhood GP (at my parents' address) and I currently live 170 miles away from them!

I haven't been to the doctor since I moved though, but I will need a repeat prescription next month so I'm gonna have to register with a local GP here anyway.