Your GP practice

It is important that you register with a GP practice that is close to where you live. This is so that we can provide you with home based services when you need them such as health visiting or district nursing or send a GP to you if you are too unwell to visit the practice.

Find a GP practice

To register with a GP surgery or to change your practice, you will need
to locate the surgery that covers the area where you live. You can do
this by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visiting the NHS Choices
website www.nhs.uk

Registering with a GP practice
Contact the GP surgery and ask to register with them. They will ask you to complete a registration form with details such as:

• your name and address,
• your date of birth,
• your NHS number (if you know it), and
• other information, such as the name and address of your previous GP.

They may also ask you for your NHS medical card or your NHS number. However, you don’t need either of these to register with a GP or to get NHS treatment.
If you're staying in an area for less than three months you can approach any local GP and ask to be seen as a temporary resident.
If you have difficulty finding or registering with a GP surgery, contact NHS Norfolk PALS on 0800 587 4132.

Making an appointment

• If you need to see a clinician at your practice quickly, you should be offered an appointment with a nurse practitioner or GP within two working days.
• If you do not need to see someone immediately, you should be able to make an appointment more than two days ahead.
• Your practice will try to give you an appointment with the GP/nurse of your choice, but that may not always be possible particularly if you need to see a clinician quickly.
• In return please let the practice know if you cannot make your booked appointment. Practices are working hard to provide appointments for all who need them, and every spare appointment slot is needed.

Speak to the practice manager or your GP if you have any problems making an appointment.

NHS Norfolk is working with local GP surgeries to get agreement for them to stay open for longer. Many GP surgeries now offer appointments outside normal working hours giving you the opportunity to see a doctor early in the morning, during the evening, or at the weekend. Talk to your surgery to find out if they offer this service, or visit the GP extended hours section on this website.

For more information about GP practices, please go to the NHS Choices website.

Out-of-hours service

The GP out-of-hours service helps you get urgent medical advice outside normal GP opening hours. Telephone your own GP surgery and you will either be transferred or given a phone number to call. Alternatively, call direct on 01603 488488.
This service is only for urgent medical problems that cannot wait until the next working day to be treated. It is not an extension of the normal services you receive from your surgery.
If you are not sure if you need to see a GP you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for general health advice and information 24 hours a day or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk