doctors

Registering

Before sixteen, you can only decide about your own health care if doctors think you are capable of understanding what's involved. When you are sixteen, however, you may decide about your own health care. Anything you say to your doctor is private.

To register with a doctor, simply go along to a surgery (you could check out with your friends and family which doctors they use) and ask to be put on the list. If the practice is full, or you can't find a GP, contact your local health authority, who will allocate you to one.

Dentists are listed in the telephone directory. To register, simply go along to your chosen practice. But beware, many dentists nowadays accept only private patients - you may have to search quite hard.