Find out:
Once you are 16 you can register yourself with a doctor. You just need to take your medical card along to the practice so they can see your NHS number. You'll get a new card with the details of your new doctor once you have registered.
You can choose a different doctor by asking your Health Board/Authority for a local directory of GPs, but bear in mind that the practice may be full already and unable to take you on. They also usually take into account where you live, giving priority to those who live nearby. Don't worry, you don't have to give a reason for changing. You can find other GPs in your area by doing a postcode search at the NHS 24 Website.
Often you will be invited for a new patient health check, where the doctor or nurse will have a chat with you about your health and weigh and measure you.
As a patient, you have certain rights, including:
In return, you are responsible for keeping appointments, or informing the practice in advance if you can’t make an appointment. If you don’t let them know then you’ve wasted an opportunity that someone else could have had.
You can find out more about your rights as a patient at the Health Rights Information Scotland website.
If you want to, or feel you need to, you can see some of your medical records. But remember there will probably be a charge for this. Your doctor, or staff at a hospital or clinic, will be able to tell you how to do this, and what your rights are under the Patients’ Charter.
When your doctor gives you a prescription for medicine, fill out the relevant parts on the form, and take it to the chemist or pharmacist. As of the 1st April prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland.
To find out if you are entitled to help with other health costs read the Scottish Government leaflet (HCS1) ‘Are You Entitled To Help With Health Costs?’ on the Scottish Government website. You can pick up a paper copy from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, post office, doctor, or Jobcentre.
Unless it's an emergency, when you can go straight to the Accident & Emergency department, you cannot normally walk straight into a hospital for treatment. Usually, you will be referred by your GP (doctor).
If you are on Income Support, Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, you can also get help with travel to hospital for NHS treatment. You may also qualify if you are on a low income. To find out visit the Directgov website.
Unhappy about the treatment you received by your GP or hospital? Well then do something about it. Contact your local health council to find out about their complaints procedure, or call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88. The General Medical Council (GMC) has a useful website to tell you more on complaining about a doctor.
Have you ever had really good health care? If so, did you tell anyone about it?
Patient Opinion is an independent site that you can use to provide feedback about the health care you receive. You can give good or bad feedback. Patient Opinion will send your story to the staff who provided your health care so that they can see what you have to say. Health care providers then have a chance to respond to you. They might even use your story to help improve their services!
Published on 07/07/2010
Last modified on 11/01/2012
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