General practitioners (GPs) are doctors who treat all common medical conditions.
Where necessary they can refer you to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment. They focus on the health of the whole person combining physical, psychological and social aspects of your care.
Your GP should usually be your first point of call for all medical questions and you will need to make an appointment.
You can book appointments with your GP practice online via their website or using the NHS app. If you can’t get online you can call your practice.
How to register
Anyone in England is entitled to register with a GP practice and to see a GP when they need to. You do not have to have a fixed address and you do not have to show ID, or proof of address or immigration status. In north east London you can simply register online.
How your GP practice team can help you
You will be asked what’s wrong and offered the quickest appointment with an appropriate medical professional. This may be over the phone, with a doctor (GP), but could also be with a nurse, physician associate, physiotherapist or another trained medical professional.
In some cases if you contact your GP practice with a minor illness that can be assessed and treated more quickly by a local pharmacist; with your consent, they will send an electronic referral to the community pharmacy of your choice for a same day consultation.
How and when can I access my GP practice?
You can book appointments with your GP practice online via their website or using the NHS app. If you can’t get online you can call your practice. GP appointments are available in evenings and on weekends and bank holidays.
GP appointments are available seven days a week in the evening, on weekends and on bank holidays. Call your practice, or if your practice is closed, call NHS 111 to book.
If you live in Barking and Dagenham or Havering you can also get help with minor injuries and illnesses at our community Urgent Treatment Centres at Barking Community Hospital and Harold Wood Polyclinic. These are open 8am-9pm, seven days a week. You can call NHS 111 to book an appointment or walk in and wait to be seen. You do not need to be registered with a GP.
Videos in other languages
- How your GP practice team can help you (Bangla) https://youtu.be/3mx6dv90roQ
- How your GP practice team can help you (Urdu) https://youtu.be/ZYoSHrvYXzM
- How your GP practice team can help you (Romanian) https://youtu.be/qaI1tHln92s
- How your GP practice team can help you (Portuguese) https://youtu.be/LwY_fgpyWMM
- How your GP receptionist can help you (Urdu) https://youtu.be/9KNRhGC2qxM
- How your GP receptionist can help you (Bangla) https://youtu.be/d7oUJkjYVtM
Useful links
The following NHS links will help show you more on how to find a local GP, how to register and give you information on how to be seen.