"Great doctor, shame about catchment policy"

The GP I've been seeing regularly throughout the past year has been incredible: efficient, supportive, and really kind and positive. It was a particularly rough year during which I had various hospital referrals, and ongoing mental health concerns following a bereavement. Absolutely 5-star.

I wanted to mention my unhappiness about the catchment area policy. I've always had anxiety about going to doctors – and, more broadly, with speaking to people about personal issues – and it took me 6 months to manage to register at the Heron Practice. I was so hugely relieved that I found a GP who I felt cared and who I could (after a few appointments) speak to with ease, which is really unusual for me. I was therefore really disappointed that, having now moved slightly out of the catchment area (still only a 20 minute walk away), I will have to leave the practice as the policy is strict. My GP has already delayed the move for several months because I expressed my fears to her about this, but after phoning reception for a repeat prescription, I've been given 30 days to find a new practice.

I understand the strains the NHS is under, but I wish there could be a little flexibility for patients who have really benefitted from seeing a particular GP and wish to have continuity with their care for an ongoing problem. While I have looked up practices in my new neighbourhood, I can't get past the anxiety of having to start again; I can envisage just not registering anywhere and ending up stopping taking medication abruptly when the prescription runs out. And in a couple of months, I will probably be moving again (within North London), entirely at mercy of the rental market. I would happily travel an hour to see this GP: it would provide some semblance of stability during a hugely stressful couple of years of my life. As it is, I'm not sure what I'll do.

Anyway -- huge thanks to the doctor.