So with my head still throbbing away I visited the GP to register. I arrived just before the 10-11 a.m. time for registering. I was asked to take a seat in the nearly full waiting room. After only a few minutes I was served at the side window. I had brought all the necessary documents (passport, proof of address, NI number) After a short look at my documents she informed me that they are not supposed to accept anyone with less than a year left on their visa. My 2 year spouse visa has only 6 months left on it. I was a bit flabbergasted. I have been here for a year and a half and have paid my fair share of tax only to now be told I didn't qualify to receive the service.
I pleaded my case with the attendant and explained that my wife and three children all used this GP and have done so for nearly that full year and half. I've never need the NHS before now. She went away for a few minutes and then came back to kindly tell me that they would make an exception even though they are technically not supposed to. There are rules in place to prevent immigrants from mis-using the system. If you looked at the NHS Direct website you would think it was set-up to support immigration as the site is available in 12 languages.
After registering I requested to see the doctor immediately as I had been suffering from a chronic headache for five days. I was told they didn't have any appointments available, however the duty doctor would call me in about an hour. So I went home and waited...and waited. Around 2 hours later the doctor did call and we discussed all my symptoms over the phone. He then prescribed Immigrain to me over the phone to see if that would solve my problem, if it was a migraine. He explained to me that in the UK they practice medicine in a way where if they are not sure what they problem is they will try treating something and see if it works...sort of trial and error. It reminded me of Doctor House.
Several hours later I had the prescription in hand and swallowed the first pill. It did nothing. So I waited the four hours directed and then took another. Still, it did nothing. A few hours later I took some Advil and was given some relief. In the morning the headached had subsided and was only a nagging "hum". After another day or two it seemed to fade altogether.
So what was my problem? I don't know? They don't know? But at least it is temporarily gone. At least I am now registered with a GP and will have a fighting chance to be seen in the future. Or I may try to go directly to a BUPA hospital.
I pleaded my case with the attendant and explained that my wife and three children all used this GP and have done so for nearly that full year and half. I've never need the NHS before now. She went away for a few minutes and then came back to kindly tell me that they would make an exception even though they are technically not supposed to. There are rules in place to prevent immigrants from mis-using the system. If you looked at the NHS Direct website you would think it was set-up to support immigration as the site is available in 12 languages.
After registering I requested to see the doctor immediately as I had been suffering from a chronic headache for five days. I was told they didn't have any appointments available, however the duty doctor would call me in about an hour. So I went home and waited...and waited. Around 2 hours later the doctor did call and we discussed all my symptoms over the phone. He then prescribed Immigrain to me over the phone to see if that would solve my problem, if it was a migraine. He explained to me that in the UK they practice medicine in a way where if they are not sure what they problem is they will try treating something and see if it works...sort of trial and error. It reminded me of Doctor House.
Several hours later I had the prescription in hand and swallowed the first pill. It did nothing. So I waited the four hours directed and then took another. Still, it did nothing. A few hours later I took some Advil and was given some relief. In the morning the headached had subsided and was only a nagging "hum". After another day or two it seemed to fade altogether.
So what was my problem? I don't know? They don't know? But at least it is temporarily gone. At least I am now registered with a GP and will have a fighting chance to be seen in the future. Or I may try to go directly to a BUPA hospital.
