The NHS and you

1. How can I find information on local health services, such as a GP or dentist?
2. How do I go about changing my GP?
3. How do I find out about services in my local area?
4. How do I make a complaint about my Doctor?
5. How do I make a complaint about my hospital?
6. I don't feel well, what should I do?
7. Where can I get information about a medical condition?
8. How do I obtain a copy of my birth certificate?
9. How do I obtain copies of my medical records?
10. How do I obtain copies of medical records for a deceased patient?
11. I am coming to the UK - what health services can I use?
12. I am going abroad - how do I get treatment if I need it?
13. Am I entitled to help with health costs or prescription charges?

The NHS and you

1. How can I find information on local health services, such as a GP or dentist?
NHS Choices holds information about NHS services in England. The local services search will help you find a GP, dentist, hospital, chemist or optician close to where you live.

2. How do I go about changing my GP?
You have the right to change your Doctor without having to give a reason. The process of finding a new Doctor is similar to registering. Further information can be found on NHS Choices.

3. How do I find out about services in my local area?
Contact your local Primary Care Trust (PCT). You can locate your PCT via NHS Choices and follow the link for PCT search or by viewing our interactive map of London.

4. How do I make a complaint about my Doctor?
In the first instance, contact the person responsible for the complaints procedure within your practice. You may wish to call the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at your local Primary Care Trust.

If the complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should direct complaints to the Healthcare Commission. Complaints can be directed to the Healthcare Commission Complaints Hotline: complaints@healthcarecommission.org.uk or 0845 601 3012. General information about the NHS complaints procedure can be found on NHS Choices. You might also wish to contact the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service.

5. How do I make a complaint about my hospital?
If you have a complaint about a hospital please call their patient advice and liaison service (PALS) in the first instance.

If the complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should direct complaints to the Healthcare Commission. Complaints can be directed to the Healthcare Commission Complaints Hotline: complaints@healthcarecommission.org.uk or 0845 601 3012. Information about the NHS complaints procedure can be found at www.nhs.uk. You might also wish to contact the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service.

6. I don't feel well, what should I do?
Call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for health advice. You will speak to a fully trained nurse who can advise you on the best course of action. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

7. Where can I get information about a medical condition?
Call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit the NHS Direct website

8. How do I obtain a copy of my birth certificate?
You can obtain a birth certificate from the Register Office of the district in which you were born. Alternatively you will need to apply to the General Register Office Family Records Centre 1 Myddelton Street, London, EC1R 1UW. The records held by the General Register Office cover the whole of England and Wales.

If you visit the Family Record Centre and make your application in person you can collect your certificate on the fourth working day after the application was made or you can have it posted to any address you have supplied to them. If you want to apply by post you should address your application to: General Register Office, PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside PR8 2JD. If you want the latest information on the costs of certificates obtained from the General Register Office for England and Wales, telephone 0151 471 4816.

9. How do I obtain copies of my medical records?
The Data Protection Act 1998 gives a patient or their representative with client consent the right to apply for access to their client's health records. Any request for access to health records must be made in writing or electronically to your GP, for GP records or the Records Manger at the hospital for hospital records.

10. How do I obtain copies of medical records for a deceased patient?
Access to information is available from London Metropolitan Archives.

11. I am coming to the UK - what health services can I use? The Overseas visitors section of the Department of Health website has information on health services available to non-UK nationals visiting or living in the UK.

12. I am going abroad - how do I get treatment if I need it?
The Health advice for travellers section of the Department of Health website provides comprehensive information about the UK's healthcare agreements with other countries.

13. Am I entitled to help with health costs or prescription charges?
Some people are entitled to help with health costs and prescription charges. The help with health costs leaflets (HC11 and HC12) set out the list of current charges and who is entitled to help. The Prescription Pricing Authority holds information on who is eligible for help with prescription costs.

• Help with health costs
• Download NHS charges and optical voucher values
• Prescription Pricing Authority