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How do I access care?

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General Practitioners (GPs) are central to the healthcare needs of the population and your first contact in most issues related to healthcare.  They provide health education, offer advice on smoking and diet, run clinics, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical operations.  If your NHS GP (very few people have access to private GPs) cannot deal with a problem then you’ll usually be referred to a hospital for tests, treatment, or to see a consultant with specialist knowledge.  Your GP will be able to inform you of the NHS care options available to you.  You will typically be entitled to choose which kind of treatment you have and even to pick the medical establishment where you receive further care.  

 

¹2012 Department of Health data