Register as a Temporary Patient

If you are ill while away from home or if you are not registered with a doctor but need to see one you can receive emergency treatment from the local GP practice for 14 days. After 14 days you will need to register as a temporary or permanent patient.

If you run out of medication while you are away from home, we will have to contact your usual surgery for confirmation or we may ask that we can access your Summary Care Record. This will make your appointment/waiting time longer.

You can be registered as a temporary patient for up to three months. This will allow you to be on the local practice list and still remain a patient of your permanent GP – your medical notes will remain with your permanent GP during this period. After three months you will have to re-register as a temporary patient or permanently register with the practice.

To register as a temporary patient simply contact the local practice you wish to use. Practices do not have to accept you as a temporary patient although they do have an obligation to offer emergency treatment. You cannot register as a temporary patient at a practice in the town or area where you are already registered.