General Practitioner (GP)

A General Practitioner means a doctor who deals with general medical problems.

If you are ill, you will visit your GP as the first point of contact.

You will need to bring documents to prove you are a permanent resident of the UK to your new GP. Your new doctor will fill in forms to allow you to access healthcare services as and when you need them.

Once registered your family will be able to use their GP not just when required for treatment, but also if they need information on illness prevention and healthcare promotions.

The primary care GP often works together with community health specialists such as midwives or school nurses and is able to refer you to hospitals or specialist clinics.

Vaccinations are offered free to babies, young adults and the elderly, as well as the chronically sick.

To find a local GP:

• Search for a GP at: www.show.scot.nhs.uk/findnearest/healthservices
• Look for information available in all public libraries.