Young People Guide to Accessing GP Services 

If you’re over the age of 13, you can register with a GP by yourself. You can find a list of other local GP’s in your area on the NHS website. If they are accepting new patients, and your address is in their practice area, they will ask you to fill in a registration form. Some GP’s also ask to see a proof of identity like a passport or proof of address like a mobile phone bill.

If you’re under the age of 13, your parents or carers should register you at a doctor’s surgery, but it doesn’t have to be same one as them or the rest of your family. If you don’t want your parents to know, you can still register by yourself but you might be asked some questions to make sure you’re okay.

If you’re struggling with anxiety or feeling worried, try explaining this when you make the appointment to see if they can help in any way.

Also, perhaps try to take a trusted friend or family member with you for support. It can take a while to build yourself up to seeing someone, but it’s so important because then you’ll be able to get help to feel better.

You can make an appointment by calling your GP surgery and speaking to the receptionist or going there in person. The receptionist will probably ask you who the appointment is for and why. This is to make sure that you see the right person at the right time.

If it’s something personal then you don’t have to tell them why – just say it’s for something personal. You can also ask to see a male or female doctor if this would make you feel more comfortable.

Yes. There is no reason why you can’t ask to see the doctor by yourself. They might want to find out why and might encourage you to tell your parent or carer. But they should try to understand how you feel if you don’t want to.

Most doctors are great at their job and care about their patients a lot. But, there are times when people either don’t get on with or feel uncomfortable with their doctor. You can always ask to see someone else. You may not be able to do this straight away and might have to wait for another appointment, so it’s better to say as early as possible.

What does confidentiality mean?

It means keeping information safe and private. The health service keeps all your health information confidential. This includes:

• anything you say
• information someone writes about you, and
• details of any treatment you have had
• You can talk to health workers about anything to do with your health
   

Usually, health workers are not allowed to tell your parents anything you have talked to them about, unless you have agreed to this. But the health worker may suggest that you speak to your parents or an adult you trust.

A health worker may want to send out information to you. If you don’t want your parents to see this, you can:

• ask them to post it to a friend’s address
• say you’ll pick it up, or
• ask them not to send anything.

Your health records include information about your health and any treatment you have had. Your records can be written on paper, held on computer or both. Usually your parents can’t see your health records, unless you agree to this. If there’s something in your health records that you don’t want your parents to see, tell a health worker.

If your doctor doesn’t think you can make decisions about your health care, your parents may be allowed to see your health records without you agreeing to it. But this would only happen if the doctor thought it was best for you.

Yes. You should be able to see your records in a way that you can understand. Any codes or words you don’t understand should be explained to you. You may want to know about treatment you’ve had, or check that information about you is correct.

It’s your choice whether to look at your health records. To find out more about seeing your health records, ask to speak to our practice manager.

If your parent or guardian has been given “proxy access” to your online medical records, then this access will be revoked once you reach the age of 16, and you will need to come into the surgery with photo ID if you would like access to Online Services on your own behalf.

Similarly if you have been sharing a mobile phone number or email address, then those details will be removed from your medical record once you are 13 years old. When you are 13 years old and you have your own mobile and email address please inform us and we will update your records.

Sometimes, people who inspect child protection services may ask to look at the records of young people who have been involved with these services. This is to make sure that children are protected from harm. These inspectors must keep your personal information safe and private, unless they think you are in danger.

If you think that what you’ve told a health worker hasn’t been kept private or that something in your health records is wrong, please tell one of the health workers who has been involved in your care, or ask your parent or another adult you trust to do this for you.

If you’re still unhappy, it’s okay to make a complaint. Please ask to speak to our practice manager, who will listen to your complaint and guide you through the process.

Find out about different types of contraception, including where to get them and how well they work at preventing pregnancy on the NHS website.

Contraceptive methods protect against pregnancy. If you use contraception correctly, you can have sex without worrying about getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant.

Most methods of contraception won’t protect you against catching or passing on a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Condoms are the only method that protects against both STIs and pregnancy. Protect your own and your partner’s health by using condoms as well as your chosen method of contraception.

Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under 16 years old. This means the doctor or nurse won’t tell your parents or anyone else, as long as they believe you’re mature enough to understand the information and decisions involved.

There are strict guidelines for healthcare professionals who work with people under 16. If they believe there’s a risk to your safety and welfare, they may decide to tell your parents.

You can get free contraception and condoms from:

• some GP surgeries – talk to your GP or practice nurse
• community contraceptive clinics
• some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
• sexual health clinics – these offer contraceptive and STI testing services
• some young people’s services

Find your nearest sexual health service, including contraceptive clinics. Many of these places offer information, testing and treatment for STIs, including chlamydia. If you’ve been exposed to the risk of pregnancy, you may also be at risk of catching an STI.

There are lots of contraceptive methods to choose from. You should use a method that suits you, not just because your friends are using it. Don’t be put off if the first method you use isn’t quite right for you – you can try another.
 

What is Health Spot?

A free GP service for young people in Tower Hamlets. 

Please see our Health Spot page for more information.

We are accepting new patients aged 11 – 19, and up to 25 with SEND.

Not feeling 100%? Not sure where to go? Health Spot is here to help. See a Doctor or specialist Nurse for free. 

Health Spot puts young people in control of their healthcare. You can count on our Spotlight youth workers and Health Spot team to support and guide you every step of the way.

Friendly and free appointments

At Health Spot, you can have an appointment with a doctor who is experienced in supporting young people. Don’t worry, all appointments are confidential. Our staff are really friendly and non-judgemental, so you can talk to them about anything.

On this page you’ll find out what confidentiality means, and your health rights.

A free GP service for young people in Tower Hamlets. 

Please see our Child Health section for available support and services.