Summary of response - GP Practices
Summary of RBOA Response to the Consultation on Registering with a G.P. Practice - July 2010
This consultation asked respondents to consider “If you could register with a GP practice anywhere, what would you do? The Government thinks people should be able to choose a GP practice that is most convenient for them.”
In making its response, the RBOA tried to consider the wide range of requirements of all its members, including:
* those who never cruise
* those who cruise occasionally
* those who cruise during the summer, and go into a marina for the winter
* those who cruise all the year round
There were numerous specific questions which had to be answered online. We highlighted the fact that consideration need to be given to the needs of boaters when using the waterways, including facilitating repeat prescriptions and consultations with a doctor. The following are some of the questions, with a summary of the relevant answers:
Question: Should people be allowed to register with any GP practice they choose unless it has reached full capacity and is unable to take on new patients?
Response: Many people who live on boasts who have ongoing health problems / who are on regular medication would prefer to remain registered with a GP Practice in the area in which they spend most time on their boat. However, they need the facility to be easily seen at other GP Practices when they are travelling around the waterways. Some boaters, known as “Continuous Cruisers”, do not normally remain in one location for more than fourteen days.
Question: If you choose a GP Practice a long way from where you live, and you need a home visit, who should be responsible for arranging it? (Choices were Local Primary Care Trust; the GP Practice (regardless of how far away you live); a second GP Practice of your choice, closer to where you live.
Response: It would generally only be in an emergency situation when a doctor would be required at a boat - and in most such cases an ambulance would be needed. Travelling boaters would normally find a practice local to the area in which they were at the time, and arrange to visit that surgery. RBOA believes that funding should be available to allow this to happen.
Question: On what grounds should a GP be able to refuse to register a new patient?
The fact that someone is leading an itinerant lifestyle, whether permanently or for part of the year, should not be a reason for refusing to register them with a specific GP Practice.
Question: What specific information would you like to know before applying to register with a GP Practice?
Response: The following information would be helpful:
Willingness to provide information on accessibility of the surgery (on foot / by public transport, etc);
Willingness of the GP to write prescription to cover an extended period, if the patient is on long-term medication;
Willingness of the GP to provide repeat prescriptions by post (provided the recipient provides the surgery with s.a.e.;
Willingness of the GP to provide the patient with a letter (outlining their condition(s) and specific medical needs) which could be kept by the patient, and shown to the relevant GP whenever the patient needed to register as a temporary patient in order to acquire medical advice and/or a repeat prescription.