How to choose and change GP surgery in England

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

When choosing a GP surgery, compare how care is organised: requesting help, arranging follow-up, renewing prescriptions and attending in person. A favourable review of one doctor does not guarantee you will always see that person. Changing practice in England is free; first check that the new surgery accepts your address.

Make a shortlist you can realistically use

Enter your postcode in NHS Find a GP ↗. Choose several options you could reach while unwell. Check their official websites, step-free access or other accessibility needs, transport and contact methods.

Ask about catchment boundaries and whether the practice accepts new patients. Registering near work outside the local area is sometimes possible, but may affect home visits, urgent care and community services. Ask about these consequences before deciding. See NHS registration and switching guidance ↗.

Compare data relevant to your needs

The GP Patient Survey ↗ is conducted by Ipsos for NHS England and records patients' experiences of practices in England. Results for 2026 are available. It can supplement recommendations from acquaintances, especially when your concern is getting through or understanding what happens after contacting a practice.

In the results section ↗, compare telephone and website access, administrative-team helpfulness, access to a preferred professional and clarity of the next step. Check the year and number of responses rather than just a percentage. The survey describes respondents' experiences; a strong score cannot promise a particular waiting time or treatment outcome.

Ask about practical arrangements

Find out how to report an urgent problem, which requests can be submitted online, how results are communicated and how medication reviews work. If continuity matters for a long-term condition, ask whether you can request a particular clinician for planned care. Discuss language and disability support in advance.

NHS consultations can have different formats and involve different team members, including nurses and clinical pharmacists. Some appointments may not appear in the app, and evening or Saturday consultations may take place at another local practice. Compare the whole booking route rather than only the calendar on your phone. See NHS appointment guidance ↗.

Register and check pending care

Apply online or on paper at the new practice. You do not have to notify your previous surgery yourself: it will be informed after you register with the new one. Keep confirmation and ask when you can start using the service and how regular prescriptions will continue.

If medicine is running low, a test is booked or a hospital referral is pending, raise it separately before changing. Prepare a list of unfinished actions, dates and service details. Do not assume changing GP automatically cancels or recreates every hospital appointment; confirm its status with the relevant team.

Check records and digital access afterwards

Check whether the new practice is connected in the NHS App and whether current repeat medicines and available results are showing. The NHS warns that previous-surgery information may not transfer automatically in the app, even with full access. Contact the practice about missing information. See NHS access limitations ↗.

Plan initial requests and save the new surgery's instructions. Registration and switching are free; prescription charges and separate services are considered independently. Do not pay for a “transfer to a good NHS practice”. This process covers England, including London; check local arrangements elsewhere in the UK. Checked on 7 October 2026.