How to choose your GP practice

Choosing the right GP practice is important for your health, convenience – and peace of mind. Here are some considerations to help you make an informed decision:

• Location: Proximity to your home or work can make appointments more convenient.
• Opening Hours: Look for surgeries with hours that fit your schedule. Some offer evening or weekend appointments.
• Services Offered: Check if the practice provides specific services you may need, such as women’s health, mental health support, or chronic disease management.
• Patient Reviews: Patient reviews can give insight into the surgery’s strengths and weaknesses. Note that most reviews you can find online, especially on Google Maps, will be negative: few people bother leaving positive reviews for doctors. When reading through them, pay attention to the nature of complaints: sometimes that’s how you can learn about the waiting times or the accessibility of certain types of help.
• Waiting Times: Enquire about typical waiting times for appointments, though this can vary widely across practices and even across the seasons: for example, waiting lines tend to grow during the vacation season, when some doctors may be away.