r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	Inevitable_Thing_270
Comment	GPs work differently in uk than the USA. But if you’re a student doing a phd, you’re university should have services that can give you advice on getting into the health care service properly. Ultimately where you live (your postcode, zip code in USA) will determine which gps you can join. There will be a number that take people from your postcode. I wouldn’t rely too much on online reviews for GP practices when they are mixed. Probably would pay attention if they are all bad, or there is one thing that consistently comes up over and over. I’d get registered with a gp as soon as you can though. Many/most GPs would want to meet with you before prescribing meds, especially if they were prescribed abroad. Just a bit more info on meds in the uk; - if controlled drugs like opiates, absolutely get registered now because they will definitely breed to see you and may need to do some contacting or your doctors in usa or similar - if it’s for adhd meds, there is a national shortage at the moment (actually it is worldwide, but particularly problematic at the moment in the uk) - I know that in the USA that often specific brands of drugs are prescribed. In the uk, it’s often the generic that is prescribed but there is no difference so don’t worry about it. There are a few drugs that need to be brand specific (eg some anti-seizure meds) but these are well known about by doctors so shouldn’t be an issue either. - once you have seen the doctor and they’ve prescribed them. Make sure that they are put on repeat prescription. For most things this is fine unless the gp has a specific reason to want to see you again before the next prescription. Having it on repeat prescription means you don’t need a doctors appointment to get the next script (usually you call the practice and just ask for a new script for the drug, sometimes a dedicated line, some places can do it online). You can also get your local pharmacy to arrange to have the prescription delivered to them directly and they’ll get it ready for you to pick up. Many pharmacies will do a repeat prescription service, so when you get your meds, if it’s something you need at set times rather than as required, you just ask if they can order you the next one in however many weeks or months it will be.
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/17fj2c5/looking_for_a_gp/k6adpoa/
Created	Tue 24th Oct 2023 8:02pm
Status	normal ()

GPs work differently in uk than the USA.

But if you’re a student doing a phd, you’re university should have services that can give you advice on getting into the health care service properly.

Ultimately where you live (your postcode, zip code in USA) will determine which gps you can join. There will be a number that take people from your postcode.

I wouldn’t rely too much on online reviews for GP practices when they are mixed. Probably would pay attention if they are all bad, or there is one thing that consistently comes up over and over.

I’d get registered with a gp as soon as you can though. Many/most GPs would want to meet with you before prescribing meds, especially if they were prescribed abroad.

Just a bit more info on meds in the uk;
- if controlled drugs like opiates, absolutely get registered now because they will definitely breed to see you and may need to do some contacting or your doctors in usa or similar
- if it’s for adhd meds, there is a national shortage at the moment (actually it is worldwide, but particularly problematic at the moment in the uk)
- I know that in the USA that often specific brands of drugs are prescribed. In the uk, it’s often the generic that is prescribed but there is no difference so don’t worry about it. There are a few drugs that need to be brand specific (eg some anti-seizure meds) but these are well known about by doctors so shouldn’t be an issue either.
- once you have seen the doctor and they’ve prescribed them. Make sure that they are put on repeat prescription. For most things this is fine unless the gp has a specific reason to want to see you again before the next prescription. Having it on repeat prescription means you don’t need a doctors appointment to get the next script (usually you call the practice and just ask for a new script for the drug, sometimes a dedicated line, some places can do it online). You can also get your local pharmacy to arrange to have the prescription delivered to them directly and they’ll get it ready for you to pick up. Many pharmacies will do a repeat prescription service, so when you get your meds, if it’s something you need at set times rather than as required, you just ask if they can order you the next one in however many weeks or months it will be.