registering with the NHS

Glad you finally got registered!  I don't know where that 6 month thing comes from, maybe it is for people on non settlement visas or something.

the nurse today (at my first appointment.. ) said that apparently the six month period only applies if you do not have a spouse who already has NHS coverage.  My family and I are here on a working visa so that would make sense.  However, some documentation would be nice.  Call me crazy...

Josh and I went down to get registered and we were turned away. The only proof of address we have is a Barclays credit card statement since we are sharing. They told us that anyone could have a statement mailed to a house and that wasn't proof that we lived there. The thing is Josh called before we went and they said a credit card statement would be fine. They told us when we got there to bring our tenancy agreement next time. We told them it is just a typed letter with his signature and our landlords and they said fine. Like someone couldn't just go and type that up themselves?? I have a feeling when we go back they won't accept that either. Its very frustrating!

apparently the six month period only applies if you do not have a spouse who already has NHS coverage. My family and I are here on a working visa so that would make sense. However, some documentation would be nice. Call me crazy...

Mrs. Pink, did they say what you are suppose to do for the 6 months? Can you pay for the visit or will they just not see you at all? My husband is here on a work permit, so we are in a similar situation. Thanks

To register with the NHS, we had to have copies of our tenancy agreement, utility bill, passport and entry clearance.  Our tenancy agreement is just a letter with our signatures as well, with the address on it, of course.  Our name is spelled wrong on it also.  It was accepted as proof of residency.

I went through the health authority and spoke to a supervisor who looked after it all for us.  We sent all our documents to him.

For the six month waiting period, there is no documentation that I could find, but they say to get supplemental insurance (travellers insurance through blue cross or something like that..)  And then, they'll tell you that if you don't have insurance, of course they won't turn you away.  It made no sense to me at all. 

I had to go to the dr. during our six months and I paid £25 as a private patient.  They'll see you at the surgery if you pay. 

Mrs Pink & Sunny Flower- where do you both live?  In london?

in the peterborough/northampton are I had NO problem registering.  didn't show passport or utility bill or rental agreement or jack.  now this was 3 years ago.  have things changed so much since then?

The inconsistency in people's ability to register with the NHS is so strange.
I walked into our local surgery, still on a visitors visa, told them that my partner was registered and that I needed to. They booked me into an initial appointment and 2 weeks after the appointment I received my NHS card. I didn't even need to show them any identification. This was 4 months ago.
I understand that it is up to the individual doctor to decide weather or not they take visitors or people waiting for their visas, but the vast difference between my experience and others is odd.

I think some surgeries know what they're doing & some don't, & some just make it up as they go along ...

I think some surgeries know what they're doing & some don't, & some just make it up as they go along ...

I can see that happening. I don't think that the surgery that I go to in my town gets many Americans walking in to register.

Mrs Pink & Sunny Flower- where do you both live?  In london?

I live in Leicester. 

As far as I understand it...  if you have a family member (spouse) who is already registered, then they will not refuse you, nor do you have a 6 month waiting period.  If you do not have a spouse registered, and have to start from scratch, then they can be as picky as they want.  That is why I went through the supervisor.  Now, I had to put up with "oh, you're the allocation.." from the receptionist at the surgery, but no matter. 

By, the way, is anyone else a bit disconcerted at the lack of confidentiality at the reception counter?  I don't fancy giving my details whilst someone else is leaning over the counter hearing/reading my information.  One surgery I was at had a sign that said, if you would like confidentiality, please request.    When I was in California, we had to stand behind a line to ensure confidentiality.

mrs pink- i hear you on the confidentality thing.  at my surgery they have a sign that requests that you stand behind it for confidentality.  but at the counter there are two receptionsts.  so when i walk up to talk there is usually someone else beside me talking about why they need to make their appointment.  a bit strange. 

I live in London. I think its like Britwife said.....they just kind of make it up as they go along.   Hopefully our office doesn't know about the 6 month thing.

I worked at a local gp surgery as a HCA and did new patient checks, one day an American girl can in for her check and I, being nosey,,,asked where she was from, how long had she been here, all the usual questions you ask when you meet a fellow american.  Well, she wasn't too eager to answer my questions, very evasive and seemed a bit uncomfortable with me, so I suspected she was living here on a visitors visa.  Anyway, I asked one of the doctor's about the rules of the PCT/NHS concerning non-UK citizens and she said it is left up to individual doctor's, nothing is set in stone.  Some practices may charge a few, some might not, some may choose to register any and everybody.  So, I think it is just up to the practice.  Oh, and btw,,,that girl was only with the practice for a short while and she never would talk to me after that first encounter!

I found some information on the Dept of Health Website.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/International/OverseasVisitors/OverseasVisitorsBrowsableDocument/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4099060&MULTIPAGE_ID=4955459&chk=17j/Ku

Basically the 6 month "rule" is BS 

If you are here legally you get treatment.

What if I should need hospital treatment?

Under the current Regulations, anyone who is engaging in employment with an employer who has his principal place of business in the UK, or who is a self-employed person whose  principal place of business is in the UK is fully exempt from National Health Service (NHS) hospital charges in England. This exemption applies to your spouse and children (under the age of 16 or 19 if in further education) if they are living with you in the UK on a permanent basis.

Please note that to be exempt from NHS hospital charges on this basis you must be in employment at the time you receive treatment. If you are here on a work visa but currently unemployed you will be charged for your treatment, unless you are otherwise exempt from charges.

Am I entitled to access primary care services?

Any person living here lawfully and on a settled basis is regarded as resident in the UK and therefore entitled to free primary medical services. On taking up residence in the UK it is advisable to approach a GP practice and apply to register on to its list of NHS patients. The practice may choose to accept or decline your application. An application may be refused if the practice has reasonable grounds for doing so, such as if you are living outside their practice area. A practice would not be able to refuse your application on the grounds of race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition.

So, basically they can't refuse to register you because you haven't been here 6 months.. but they can find another reason  !

Yes, but quoting that won't help.  What was funny, was when I asked for documentation, I was referred to that page..

I just thought I'd give you all my experience today of registering with the GP here, which is right down the road, about a block actually

We went in and explained I just moved here from the US and needed to register, all she asked was if I was there on a settlement basis and I told her yes, she also asked if anyone else needed to register with me and my df's mum explained they are already registered there...she had me fill out a card and a short history and I was all done She asked if I needed to make an appt to see the GP, I told her I needed to see a midwife in the next couple of weeks and she gave me the number to the midwives with them, told me to give them a ring and all done

Very easy and never once asked for any id, passport etc.