registering with the NHS

yep same here, walked in, said I'd like to register... sure, no prob. didn't ask for ID, proof of address and even booked me an appointment that day!

finding an NHS dentist was the same deal.

Sweet Jen!  We went yesterday and signed up, girl was really nice, we already had forms filled out.  She did copy my passport.  Will make appointment next week.  No dentist yet, might just get my teeth cleaned back in SF when Im home in May!  (my friend is my dentist and gives me hugh discount!!)

No dentist yet, might just get my teeth cleaned back in SF when Im home in May!  (my friend is my dentist and gives me hugh discount!!)

totally worth it. i was unimpressed by the dentist here. nhs dentists give 9 mins to each person and refer to hygienists if you need a thorough cleaning. he didn't think i needed to see the hygienist  dental care is so different when not driven by insurance companies!

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.

Aeonix,  how long did it take you to see the midwife?  We're going to be moving about 6 weeks before my due date and i am concerned about leaving myself enough time to get set up with midwife/GP and all that.  We'll be in the same area my husband lived his entire life so i know right where the doc's office is at and figured i could just go in there, but am still nervous about it all.

I'm glad this worked out, but don't assume it will always be this easy.  Many people have had to shop around because practices are full and not accepting new patients, and many have had to jump through hoops to prove they are entitled.

Vicky

I'm glad this worked out, but don't assume it will always be this easy.  Many people have had to shop around because practices are full and not accepting new patients, and many have had to jump through hoops to prove they are entitled.

Vicky

Ok, so I will be coming over on a British passport, British citizen, (i was born in Scotland).  On my Scottish birth certificate there is an NHS number listed.  Does this mean i should be allright and somewhere they have me on file and will just have to update or do i need to worry about problems registering?  Does anyone know if there is anything i can do ahead of time, like writing to the surgery in the  area we'll be in or something along those lines?

You are British so will have no problems providing the surgery near you isn't full.

Vicky

I decided I'm going with private healthcare through my work. I hate the fact that I have to go somewhere just because of my postcode,and also because Courtney has the same genetic disorder I have, and I refuse to wait 6 months to a year just so she can have a catscan/MRI. And plus,with the postcode lottery,who knows if I can even get her one of those at the hospital with NHS coverage.

EY I think private is good just for peace of mind, but have they told you they will take that long for her care?  Seems bad considering that those scans are pretty needed for it.
My BIL has it too, but he chooses to "drink" his medicine instead of getting care for it. 

We are a bit concerned as it is genetic, but he's the only one who has it or signs of it, which makes us think it might be one of the possible spontaneous forms. Though MIL does have curvature of the spine...  Of course being PG I worry about it, but my DH does not have cafe-au-lait spots or anything.  My BIL has one child with and one without.

Let me know how it goes with private. Even by PM if you prefer.

I'm having an absolute nightmare trying to register with the NHS.  This has been going on since I first moved here last year.  Apparently, I live right on the border of two health authorities, and they both keep passing the buck.  One looks in their system and says that my address is in the other authority's jurisdiction and vice versa.  The GP's office claims that all of the info is in their system, and it transmits live to the appropriate health authority, so there should be no room for error.  No one has a clue.  I have had a supervisor "looking into the matter" for a month now.  I can't spend my entire day on the phone chasing people.  I seem to be lost in the system, and it's extremely frustrating.  Grrr!

After reading the varied experiences listed on here I was a little worried about registering with a surgery.  However, I seem to have gotten lucky.  The other day I went round and said I needed to register as a new patient.  The receptionist asked my address, to make sure I was in their coverage area and then handed me a form to fill out.  I filled it out at home and went back this morning.  I told her I am new to the UK so I don't have an NHS number yet.  I had my passport with me but she didn't seem interested.  She just asked where I had come from (the USA) and then scheduled an appointment for me to see the nurse tomorrow morning.  All went smoothly.  One odd thing though... she asked me to bring in a urine sample but didn't provide a container.  She said to just use any container or jar.  So now we're ransacking the cupboards looking for a suitable container for me to pee in lol.  Is this normal?

All went smoothly.  One odd thing though... she asked me to bring in a urine sample but didn't provide a container.  She said to just use any container or jar.  So now we're ransacking the cupboards looking for a suitable container for me to pee in lol.  Is this normal?

It must be -- I just registered with a new surgery last week and they made a really big deal of pointing out that they'll provide the specimen vial, like that was some sort of added bonus for me.     I've never been anywhere where they didn't provide one, though.

sounds completly differant from when I had to give urine samples! I guess it could be differant because I was pregnant,but after my first appointment they gave me about 5 containers and told me to bring one in each time I came in for an appointment. I felt really weird carrying a cup full of pee with me to the appointment lol

My experience here so far has been:
The woman who answered the phone at my GP's  nearly hung up on me immediately. She immediately asked me how long I had been here and then was, frankly, in my unsophisticated American - a b*tch. She told me I had to pay taxes for 6 months or I could not see a doctor. I am here legally and have moved here permanently with my husband.
My husband is from Sweden and has an appointment for the NIN in early September. I will not make it that long without seeing a doctor. The woman who answered the phone also stated that I had to have an NIN number to register at the practice.

So - my point: I know not to call back that GP but what should I do? Should I go to a GP or a walk in clinic and insist on registering? I am very diplomatic - as a lawyer - but I dont know how that will work out. I dont want to piss them off because I cannot afford a plane ticket back to the US just to see a doctor.

Advice Please....

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/International/OverseasVisitors/OverseasVisitorsBrowsableDocument/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4099060&MULTIPAGE_ID=4955314&chk=Kgqt9s

my advice would be to print this out, and show it to the person behind the counter at your local GP. 

i did not have an NIN when i first registered with my gp practice. 

also- is there another surgery in your area that you could register with?  my area only has one- so no choice.