🩺 Registering with a GP (Family Doctor) in Leeds
👩⚕️ What is a GP?
A GP (General Practitioner) is a family doctor. You go to a GP when you feel unwell or have a small injury that doesn’t go away. It is free to see a GP. GPs work in places called GP practices. Sometimes these are inside a Health Centre, where other health professionals also work.
👉 You must register with a GP practice before you can use their service.
Most GP practices will send you a letter with your NHS Number after you register. Your NHS Number helps doctors find your health records. You will also see it on things like appointment letters and prescriptions. There are about 100 GP practices in Leeds, so you can find one close to where you live.
🔎 Find a local GP on the NHS website: NHS – Find a GP Practice
📝 How to Register
To register:
- Visit or call the GP practice and ask for a registration form.
- Fill in the form and take it back.
- You may be asked to show ID or proof of address. If you can’t, don’t worry – they must still let you register.
🌍 Information about your right to register is here – available in different languages.
🙋 If you need help filling in the form, bring someone with you or ask for an interpreter. You must call ahead if you need an interpreter at the practice.
📅 Booking a GP Appointment
You can book an appointment by:
- Calling the GP practice
- Going in person
- Booking online (ask the receptionist for help with this)
⚠️ GP practices are busy. You may need to wait a few days or even two weeks for an appointment.
🚨 If it is urgent, tell the receptionist. You may get an appointment sooner.
🕗 Try calling at 8:00am to ask for a same-day appointment — but they go quickly!
👩⚕️ You can ask to see a female or male doctor or nurse.
🗣️ Do You Need an Interpreter?
If English is not your first language, you can ask for a free interpreter (by phone) when booking your appointment. You can also bring a friend or family member with you — but using the interpreter can help keep your health conversation private.
🧑⚕️ GP or Nurse – What’s the Difference?
You might not always need to see a GP. Practice nurses can:
- Give vaccinations (injections)
- Clean and treat wounds
- Give advice on stopping smoking, contraception, and more
⏰ Keeping Your Appointment
✅ Be on time
❌ If you cannot come, call the GP practice to cancel — so they can give the appointment to someone else.
🚪 If you arrive late, your appointment may be cancelled.
🏥 When You Arrive
- Go to the reception desk or use the check-in screen.
- Say your name, address, and date of birth.
- Then wait for your name to be called.
⏳ Sometimes you may have to wait if it’s busy.
💬 During the Appointment
Appointments are usually 10 minutes long.
🗂️ You may only have time to talk about 1 or 2 health problems.
📝 Write down your questions before the appointment.
📒 Take notes during your visit.
❓ If you don’t understand something, ask the doctor or nurse to explain again.
🧍 Each appointment is for 1 person only — do not bring others to ask about their health.
🔐 Your Information is Private
The GP or nurse will keep your information safe and private.
✅ Sometimes they may need to share it with other health services (like hospitals), but they will ask your permission first.
⚠️ If they believe you or someone else is in danger, they can share information without asking, to protect you.
💊 Medication / Prescriptions
Your GP or nurse may advise you to take some medication to help you get better. You can get medicine in two ways:
- Buy from a pharmacy or supermarket — for common illnesses (like pain or allergies). This is sometimes called ‘over the counter’ medicine. You can get advice about medication from the pharmacy staff. Learn more here: Pharmacies in England
- Get a prescription from your GP or nurse — they will give you a paper with the medication you need printed on it or send it directly (electronically) to the pharmacy, if you are registered with a local pharmacy.
💷 You usually need to pay for prescription medicine, but some people can get it free.
You do not pay if you:
- Are under 16, or 16–18 in full-time education
- Are over 60
- Are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months (with a certificate)
- Have certain medical conditions (with a certificate)
- Have a disability and need help to go out (with a certificate)
- Are in hospital
👉 Learn more here: Who Can Get Free Prescriptions
🛑 Be careful if buying medicine online — some websites sell fake medicine. Always ask your GP first.
🏥 Further Treatment
If your health problem needs further treatment or tests, the GP may send you to see a specialist (like at a hospital). You will get a letter in the post with details.
📬 Sometimes you can choose where you go for treatment.
