Switching GP

vector

I have been a private patient paying EUR 50 (in so far as its the only one I've ever used) of a GP in my provincial town since I was born

Fortunately I rarely need to go there, however when I have I've been unimpressed. Its a production line... for example at the moment I feel I'm not getting enough value from every breath, I'm breathless when talking, but the GP had me blow into a peak flow meter (600, very good) and listened to my back, and said, not in so many words, that I was imagining it.

Now, in any other business I'd shop around, but is that verboten? can I make an appointment in a GP on the other side of town, see what he is like, and then perhaps switch, or would such a one off appointment be impossible, would I have first have me records transferred... would this appear unusual? like perhaps I was nutter? or do people switch all the time.

AmcD

As a private patient you are perfectly entitled to see another GP elsewhere. If you find a GP that you like, you can then ask for your old notes to be transferred. This happens all the time. You may be asked why you wanted to transfer, but it won't be held against you (unless you are in a very small minority of people who go "doctor shopping" for things like sleeping tablets etc).

Gazza22

A lot of people i have ever heard touching on this subject appear to be under the impression that there is a certain etiquette surrounding the relationship with your GP.

These notions that you should/have to stick with your 'Family Doctor' etc are unfounded and as AmcD said you are a private patient and thus in control of who you seek medical advice from. I changed my GP a number of years ago because i felt our 'Family Doctor' wasn't up to scratch.