Respite care and GP cover

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SteveE
SteveE Online Community Member Posts: 89 Empowering
edited August 2019 in Families and carers
Confusion reigns - any experience or advice welcomed.

We have been using respite care, via the Council, for many many years, Not once have we been advised to beforehand, de-register with our GP, register with the local GP and then the reverse upon end of that period of respite care. We still haven't seen any advice from the care home most recently used or from the Council

However. When our lad was distressed during a period of respite care, it seems our own GP refused to come out. Given it is many miles away from that GP's patch, we weren't surprised. But we were surprised to find the care home didn't get the local GP to see our lad, either by going to the GP or getting the GP out.

The likelihood of our GP allowing us to follow the Council's view that we de-register, register, de-register, and re-register for a few days in respite care seems extremely unlikely and we'd likely end up with no cover whatsoever. How the other GP would re-act is another unknown.

So, the question is, and I've looked at NHS and BMA information without clear guidance, what do people normally do to ensure GP cover when at a care home out of their normal GP's area?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

Comments

  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,863 Championing
    Welcome to Scope!
    I’m sorry to hear that. Can you find another one or not? 
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Hi @SteveE, that really does sound silly! How long does your son go to respite for?

    Have you spoken to the people who provide respite, I'd imagine you aren't the only one who is outside of the catchment for their normal GP when they are there.

    I'll try and find information on this and get back to you. :)
  • SteveE
    SteveE Online Community Member Posts: 89 Empowering
    @Chloe_Scope Thanks for the reply.

    To answer your first question - he has been for a single night up to maybe seven nights.

    And the second - yes we have (via the Council - it is the Council who contract the home and also pay them)

    @April2018mom - Thanks for the reply and question. The Council only offer this care home.

    Thanks both again.

    Steve


  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Would this be useful at all?

    https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-practice/

    How to register as a temporary resident

    If you fall ill while away from home or you're not registered with a GP but need to see one, you can still contact your nearest practice to ask for treatment.

    You can receive emergency treatment for 14 days. After that you'll have to register as a temporary resident or permanent patient.

    Registration as a temporary resident allows you to be taken on to the practice's list for up to 3 months.

    If you're registered with a practice but are away from your home area, you can register temporarily with a practice near where you're currently staying and still remain a patient of your registered practice.

    Try to have the following information available when you attend your appointment for the first time:

    • details of your ongoing medical problems
    • details of medical problems you have suffered in the past
    • details of any medicines you're currently taking
    • details of any allergies
    • contact details of your registered or previous practice
  • SteveE
    SteveE Online Community Member Posts: 89 Empowering
    Chloe_Scope said:
    Would this be useful at all?

    https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-practice/

    How to register as a temporary resident

    If you fall ill while away from home or you're not registered with a GP but need to see one, you can still contact your nearest practice to ask for treatment.

    You can receive emergency treatment for 14 days. After that you'll have to register as a temporary resident or permanent patient.

    Registration as a temporary resident allows you to be taken on to the practice's list for up to 3 months.

    If you're registered with a practice but are away from your home area, you can register temporarily with a practice near where you're currently staying and still remain a patient of your registered practice.

    Try to have the following information available when you attend your appointment for the first time:

    • details of your ongoing medical problems
    • details of medical problems you have suffered in the past
    • details of any medicines you're currently taking
    • details of any allergies
    • contact details of your registered or previous practice
    Thanks - that is very useful indeed.

    Steve

  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    No problem @SteveE :)

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