How to switch GP in London
You can change your GP at any time, for any reason. You don't need permission from your current practice. You don't need to tell them at all. Records transfer automatically. This is the full process.
Reasons people switch GP in London
The most common reasons we hear from Londoners:
- Moved house — even within the same borough.
- Can never get through on the phone.
- Appointment availability is too limited for the patient's needs.
- Want to see the same doctor consistently for continuity.
- Want a practice with specific language support or accessibility.
- The patient experience scores at the current practice are low — see our borough hub pages for comparison.
You don't need to justify the switch. The reason is between you and yourself.
Step-by-step
- Choose your new practice. Use the London GP Directory home page to search by postcode, filter for practices accepting new patients, and compare GP Patient Survey scores. Pick a practice whose boundary covers your address.
- Register with the new practice. Use the NHS online registration service, the practice's own form, or walk in during opening hours.
- Wait for confirmation. Typically 2–10 working days. Your records transfer automatically — you do not need to ask your old practice for them.
- Your old practice is notified automatically. You don't have to tell them. Your registration with them ends when the new registration is confirmed.
Find practices accepting new patients →
Common worries (and why they don't apply)
"Will I lose my repeat prescriptions?"
No. Once registration is confirmed at the new practice, you can request a repeat prescription from them. There may be a short period (a few days) where you should plan ahead. If you're on critical medication, time the switch carefully or request a final repeat from the old practice before changing.
"Will my hospital referrals be cancelled?"
No. Existing referrals and outpatient appointments stay with you. Hospitals identify you by NHS number, not by GP.
"Will my old GP find out?"
Yes — the system will notify them as a routine administrative matter. They cannot refuse the switch. They cannot challenge it. There is no awkward conversation required.
"What if the new practice rejects me?"
If a practice's list is closed, or you live outside its catchment, it can decline. It cannot decline because you're switching from another practice. If you're declined, simply try a different practice on the directory.
If you've moved house
If you've moved to a different part of London or further afield, you may need to switch GP because your previous practice's boundary no longer covers you. Some practices have "outside boundary" lists if you're willing to travel. Many people switch when they move because attending a GP near the old address becomes impractical.
If you're switching because of poor service
You don't need to make a formal complaint to switch — just switch. But if you also want to raise the issue, you have three routes:
- Internally, via the practice manager.
- To NHS England's complaints process.
- To your local Healthwatch, which has a statutory role in collecting and acting on patient experience.
Frequently asked
How often can I switch?
There's no formal limit. Frequent switching is unusual and can disrupt continuity of care, but it's not prohibited.
What about my children's records?
Each family member registers individually but you can submit all the forms together. Children's records transfer the same way.
What if I move abroad temporarily?
If you're abroad for more than 3 months, your GP can deregister you. When you return, register again. Your medical records remain part of your NHS record indefinitely.
Can I have two GPs at once?
No — you can only be registered at one NHS practice at a time for primary medical care. You can register as a "temporary resident" elsewhere for short periods.
Next
Use the home page to find practices accepting new patients near you, or browse by borough.