Westgate Surgery runs a personalised list system. This means we assign you and your family with a GP when you register. You’ll always see this GP unless they’re on annual leave or ill.
The doctor-patient relationship is the foundation of quality care. The more a patient sees their own doctor, the more the doctor understands the patient’s needs. This personal relationship leads to better decision making.
We do appreciate, however, that sometimes patients may wish to change GPs within the practice. To have this considered, you must write to the practice manager and explain the reasons for your request, however, all GP’s at Westgate Surgery adhere to the same strict NHS guidelines.
We are unable to accept requests that specify a doctor’s name or gender. We assign a GP based on who has space on their patient list. This is to ensure GPs aren’t overwhelmed and can offer safe care.
The practice feels that GPs and patients need time to develop a relationship and moving patients to another GP can result in unnecessary repeat investigations when all that may be needed is for the patient to discuss their concerns with the doctor so that these can be resolved.
Whilst we strive to accommodate such requests to change GP it should be noted that frequent changes of GP is a signal a breakdown in the practice-patient relationship, is not practical or advisable for your continuity of care. Patients who make frequent requests may be advised to register at an alternative practice.
