Join the surgery

You can join our surgery if you live in our practice area. It is free, and anyone in England can join a GP surgery.

You do not need:

• proof of address
• ID
• proof of your immigration status
• an NHS number

Students: read our advice for students before you join.

Check you live in our area

Our area covers Withington, Burnage and Fallowfield in south Manchester.

You can also see our practice area on a map you can zoom into (opens Google Maps). If you are not sure whether you live in our area, call us on 0161 448 4500.

If you live outside our area, you may still be able to join as an out-of-area patient. Ask us first. If you join from outside our area, we cannot visit you at home. We will help you find a local service if you need one.

How to join

Join the surgery online (opens the NHS registration service)

This uses the NHS's online registration service. It takes about 15 minutes for each person. Join each person in your family separately, including children.

If you cannot join online, ask at reception at 54 Briarfield Road for a paper form, or call us on 0161 448 4500. Joining online is quicker for you and for us.

After you join

• We will contact you when you are registered.
• Every patient has a named GP, who is responsible for your overall care. You can see any of our doctors, and you can tell us if you would like to see a particular one.
• Tell us if you need an interpreter or other help to communicate with us. We will record it so all our staff know.
• Set up the NHS App (opens the NHS website) to order prescriptions and see your record.

If you are a student

If you live in our area during term, join us as soon as you arrive. Do not wait until you are ill.

Check the postcode where you live during term, such as your hall or shared house, in the postcode check above. Do not use the university's address or your home address.

You can only be registered with one GP surgery at a time. When you join us, you leave your GP at home automatically.

International students can join too. You do not need to show us your visa.

When you join

• Tell us about any long-term condition, such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy, and any medicines you take, so you do not run out.
• Set up the NHS App (opens the NHS website) to order repeat prescriptions and see your record.
• Check you have had your meningitis, MMR and HPV vaccines. You can ask us for some of them up to your 25th birthday. See which vaccines students should have (opens the NHS website).

When you go home for the holidays

Stay registered with us. If you need a GP while you are at home, a GP surgery there can treat you urgently for up to 14 days, or register you as a temporary patient for up to 3 months.

Other help for students

• Sexual health and contraception
• Mental health support. Your university's wellbeing or counselling service can also help.

If you live outside our area

We can sometimes register people who live outside our area, but we do not recommend it. If you live outside our area:

• we cannot give you urgent appointments or visit you at home
• hospital referrals can be delayed, because hospitals use your postcode to decide where to send you

A GP surgery near your home is usually the better choice. Find a GP surgery near you (opens the NHS website).

If you are only staying for a short time

If you are staying in our area for less than 3 months, you can register with us as a temporary patient. Ask at reception. If you need treatment urgently and cannot register, we can still give you the treatment you need straight away, for up to 14 days.

If we cannot register you

We may say no, for example if you live outside our area or you have been removed from our list before. If we say no, we will write to you within 14 days to tell you why.

If you think this is wrong, you can make a complaint, or contact NHS Greater Manchester or Healthwatch Manchester for help.