Told, 'You cannot access the NHS' when I CAN...

I keep getting sick.
New country, new bugs, I guess?
I hardly ever got sick in NYC. For the last year and a half I seem to have gotten sick way more than normal.

Anyway, I am not registered with a GP. So, I phoned the closest one, and asked the receptionist, 'if I registered today could be seen today because I am sick... '
And the woman on the phone, without asking me ANY questions at all, told me 'No, because you cannot register, because the NHS is only for British Citizens'.

I guess she said that because of my accent?

I'm already feeling horrid. I really did not need to be kicked while I am down. She said it in a really nasty tone.

I know, I can go to another GP, farther away, or I can just go in with my paperwork, and they will have to accept me if they are accepting new patients.

It just upset me. I'm already feeling weak, I just said 'OK,' and I hung up.

 

Unfortunately, it seems like the receptionists aren't always aware of what the rules actually are. That's why you see people being given free treatment when they aren't entitled to it and why you see people being turned away when they are entitled. In fact, a similar thing happened to me when I first moved over. I was having some issues, phoned up the GP and they told me they could only see me privately.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=74308.0

You of course have the right to the NHS, but I think the rules have changed so frequently and are so confusing anyway that some frontline staff (not necessarily famous for their bedside manners as it is) just have a knee-jerk reaction to stay out of it entirely.
Where I am, there are LOADS of students, immigrants, and other people more complicated than just your local GP population, so they asked me to bring in my passport/visa to copy and keep with my files. Just down the road, a different practice asked nothing at all from another American friend of mine. Just be firm, although it sounds like you wouldn't want to be at that practice anyway! I believe there is somewhere online that you can rate/review practices?
I'm sorry you feel ill! It makes dealing with everything ten times worse!

Thank you PlainPearl and Jennie.

It is really nice to have people who understand.

I just cried and cried.

It just felt like, "Go away, you non Brit. We don't want you here."

It was not even about the medical issues or appointments - it was just about the knee jerk rejection I received. I took it personally, which is silly, but when I am sick with a fever, I also tend to become emotional and sensitive. Or... perhaps a better description is: vulnerable?

I'm sure it was just a mistake, and nothing personal.

Thank you for listening. Or... Well, reading.

Tomorrow I will just go to the walk in clinic.

phatbeetle, thank you for moving my post to the right section.
So sorry that I posted it in the wrong section.

xoxoxo
L

You should contact your local PCT about them as well. They should call them and set them straight. I did that even though I ended up going to another surgery (I didn't want to be taken on by the one that initially refused me because they were rude anyway).

You could also contact PALS, if you have anymore trouble. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/

Thanks PlainPearl.

In Worthing, they did not even ask me for ID when I registered.

In Brighton, they asked me for my NI#, but declined the offer of my passport.

I guess it is a bit of a 'lottery' with the receptionists.

I know the question has already been answered, but I just wanted to say I got sick LOADS the first year or so after I moved here. I think it's normal. It rarely happens now, only about as much as it did when I lived in California, maybe about twice a year.

Thanks PlainPearl.

In Worthing, they did not even ask me for ID when I registered.

In Brighton, they asked me for my NI#, but declined the offer of my passport.

I guess it is a bit of a 'lottery' with the receptionists.

If it makes you feel any better receptionist and practice managers pull the same kind of power trips on British citizens as well. Some of them are seriously passive aggressive.

Diana_, good to know. Glad it gets better. Thank you.

Cali Girl, yes, I am sure there are receptionists who do gave Brits a hard time - some people are just mean, to everyone, or don't listen, to anyone.

This isn't uncommon.  Receptionists aren't responsible for understanding immigration rules.  However you can be informed. 

PlainPearl linked the Department of Health link that confirms your eligibility.  Here it is again: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074377

You can go back with this information and if that doesn't work, again as PP stated, you go to the PCT and then PALS.

It isn't personal and it isn't something to get upset over and feel like you are being hated for as an immigrant.  Sure the receptionist could have been nicer but tactless people are everywhere and it isn't some declaration on immigration.

This isn't uncommon.  Receptionists aren't responsible for understanding immigration rules. 

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with this. If they are going to tell someone they aren't eligible and give misinformation, then it is absolutely their responsibility to get it right-- or check with someone.

Sure the receptionist could have been nicer but tactless people are everywhere and it isn't some declaration on immigration.

I agree with this completely.

I do think receptionists should know who is entitled to free NHS care and who isn't. It would certainly solve a lot of problems, but I don't think it's their fault if they don't know this information. Understanding the immigration rules as it pertains to NHS access clearly isn't part of their training, but I definitely think it should be. So, the responsibility lies with someone higher up I would think, but who that is I have no idea.

I can understand why LaraMascara is upset and frustrated over being turned down for treatment especially when she's ill. If you're sick you want to be helped, you don't want to jump through hoops to determine your worthiness because you happen to be an immigrant. Unfortunately, jumping through hoops seems to be part of being an immigrant, but it would just be easier if the NHS staff were properly informed. It would be one less hoop to jump through. It would save us a lot of hassle and it would probably save the NHS money considering some of these uninformed staff members give people free access to treatment when they are not entitled to it.

LaraMascara, call NHS Direct (or go online and assess your symptoms, and they'll call you if necessary) or go to a local walk-in centre.  You'll get your illness treated without having to deal with a GP. 

**Mod note**

I removed all the unnecessary back and forth. This isn't the Airing Cupboard and advice was given to the OP on how to handle the rude receptionist. As was suggested in one of the posts, there's always the 'ignore' button and all people should feel free to use it.

LM, I'm sorry you had a tough time trying to get in with the GP. I remember the first time I dealt with them too and I pretty much had the same response. Frustrating indeed. I would suggest going back to the same one, armed with the proper information so you can educate them and it won't happen to the next person who tries to register.

Hope you feel better.