Registering with a GP

Once you settle in Scotland, you and your family should register with a General Practitioner (GP). You can only register with a GP practice if you are planning to stay in the area for more than 3 months. 

Your GP is generally your first point of contact for non-emergency care and will also refer you if you need specialist treatment. This is also known as primary care, which includes pharmacies, dentists, and optometrists. Your GP will also prescribe prescriptions – these will always be free of charge. 

To register with a GP so, you should follow these key steps:

1. Find your local GP practice. You can use this postcode search tool to find out what your nearest GP practice is. 
2. Fill out the registration form and return this to the GP practice. This should be available on their website – you can either fill this out and return it electronically or complete the registration form and hand it in. You may be asked for copies of your passport or proof of your address. You don’t need proof of your immigration status, but some practices may ask you for it. 
3. You will then be notified by email or telephone whether your application to register has been successful. GP surgeries can refuse to register you if they are not taking any new patients or if you live outside of the practice catchment area. A lack of proof of address is not a sufficient reason for a GP practice to register you.  

Read more about registering for a GP on this NHS webpage. 

When you register, you should provide information on any past medical conditions, any wider medical conditions, any ongoing treatment and any language or translation needs. You should also be made aware of any language support that is available to you and this should be something you mention when registering. It may be useful to enquire about the translation services available at your practice before you register. Find out more about translation and interpretation services here. 

Once you are registered, you will receive a Community Health Index (CHI) number, which is unique to you. This is used to make healthcare appointments – you’ll find your CHI number on any appointments or letters you receive from the NHS. Note: a CHI number is the Scottish equivalent of the NHS number used in England. 

Transferring Ongoing Treatment from Hong Kong to Scotland

To transfer ongoing treatment from Hong Kong to Scotland, your GP will likely need to do some initial tests and then follow a referral process to refer you on to the specialist. It is possible that they will ask for your medical paperwork from Hong Kong, but they may not. 

Please note that the maximum waiting time for non-urgent treatments is 18 weeks. However, in reality this waiting time can be much longer, as the NHS is currently facing a huge backlog due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registering with a Dentist

Unlike a GP, a dentist is not bound to a catchment area, which means you can register at any dental practice. However, it is possible that the dental practice you are attempting to register with is not accepting any new patients – this could be because there are no spaces left. You should ask the dental practice in question whether they are accepting new patients before filling out the registration form. This information will often be available on their practice website. 

Unlike other NHS care services, dental care is not universally free – the cost of treatment can vary. You may also opt to go for private treatment. Sometimes clinics will offer both NHS and private dental treatment – these can vary in price so it is worth verifying which is cheaper.  

Everyone is entitled to free NHS dental check-ups. Treatment, however, may not be free. You may be entitled to other free NHS dental treatment if, at the start of the treatment, you’re under 26, in full-time education, are pregnant or a nursing mother, or you are receiving any income support. 

Visit this website for more information on Scottish Government help with health costs.

Registering for an Opticians:

All NHS eye examinations are free in Scotland. You can get a free regular eye health check by an optometrist, even if you don’t think you have a problem with your vision. An NHS funded eye examination in Scotland (called a primary eye examination) tests more than just your sight. It’s a more thorough examination to check the health of your eyes and look for signs of other health problems. 

Your optometrist will usually decide how often you will have an eye test. Most people aged between 16 and 59 can have a free eye test every two years. However, if you are sight impaired, you may receive a free eye test every year instead. 

You may be entitled to optical vouchers from the Scottish Government. Visit this website for more information on help with health costs. 

You can use this NHS tool to find your local opticians. Type in your postcode and you will see the nearest available opticians. 

FAQs:

I have tried to register for a dentist but have been told there are no places?

Dental practices can refuse to register you if they are not taking new patients. This is often because there is no space left at their dental practice. Due to the high demand, it may be more difficult to register for a dental practice than a GP surgery. 

What is a CHI number? Is it the same as an NHS number?

A CHI number is the Scottish equivalent of an NHS number. It is used to locate your medical records and can be found on any appointments or letters you receive from the NHS. 

What is the difference between primary and secondary care?

Secondary care is a more specialised form of care, often provided in a hospital setting. This means you will need a referral from your GP to access secondary care or you must be referred from Accident & Emergency (A&E).