Doctors

Registering with a Doctor

Doctors in the UK are often called ‘General Practitioners' or ‘GPs'. This refers to doctors working in a

local surgery rather than a hospital. When you have found your nearest doctor's surgery you will be

asked to complete a registration form. You will be asked to provide information about your address,

any previous or current medical conditions and a contact telephone number.

Booking an Appointment at Your Doctor's Surgery

Doctor's surgeries are usually open Monday-Friday during normal office hours. The surgery you register

with will be able to provide you with their opening times and a list of services they provide. It is best to

book an appointment a few days in advance. You can do this by going into the surgery or by telephoning

their appointment line. Surgeries often allocate a few spaces for ‘emergency appointments'. These are

for same day bookings and are usually available when the surgery opens.

Everything that is discussed in a doctor's surgery is confidential.

When the Doctor's Surgery Is Closed

If you urgently need a General Practitioner outside of office

hours and you cannot wait until the surgery opens, you can

telephone your local General Practitioner's ‘out of hours'

service.

If you need interpreting services during this phone call, just

say which language you wish to speak when your call is

answered.

Serious Emergency Care

The telephone number for emergency services in the UK is 999 for Ambulance, Police and Fire Services.

If you or your family are seriously ill and need urgent medical attention, then dial this number and ask for the

ambulance service. You will be asked what the problem is and for your location. This call is free of charge.

NHS Direct

If you are unsure about where to go for health services, advice about a minor injury or a general

query about healthcare, you can phone NHS Direct. The number is 0845 4647.

When your call is answered state what language you want to speak in and they will put you through

to an interpreter if required. This telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is

staffed by nurses and professional advisors who will provide you with confidential advice.

Alternatively, you can visit the NHS Direct website, http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/, for advice about illnesses,

operations, tests, treatments and common health problems.