If you are ill while away from home or if you are not registered with a doctor but need to see one, you can receive emergency treatment from a local GP practice by registering as a temporary resident.
You can be registered as a temporary patient for up to three months. This will allow you to be on the local practice list and still remain a patient of your permanent GP. After three months you will have to return to your permanent GP or permanently register with the new practice.
To register as a temporary patient simply contact the practice that is local to where you are staying. Practices do not have to accept you as a temporary patient although they do have an obligation to offer emergency treatment. You cannot register as a temporary patient at a practice in the town or area where you are already registered.
When registering, you will be asked to provide photographic ID.
Please note that if you are visiting from an EU country you must provide a valid European Health Insurance Card (E111). If you cannot provide this or are visiting from a country outwith the EU, you may not be eligible for NHS treatment and will be advised to seek private medical care.
