Patient Preferences for Clinicians

Patient Preferences for a Clinician

Our practice is committed to providing safe, timely, and person-centred care. We recognise that some patients may prefer to see a particular GP or clinician, or may request a clinician of a specific gender. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these preferences wherever possible.

Requesting a Particular Clinician

If you have a preference to see a specific GP or clinician, please let us know when registering or when booking your appointment. We understand that continuity of care can be important, particularly if you have a long-term condition or ongoing health concerns.

While we will endeavour to meet your request, appointments are subject to clinician availability, annual leave, sickness, training commitments, and service demands. It may not always be possible to offer your preferred clinician.

Requesting a Male or Female Clinician

If you would prefer to see a male or female clinician, please let our reception team know. We will do our best to accommodate your preference, particularly for sensitive or intimate consultations.

If a clinician of your preferred gender is not available, we will discuss the options with you, including the likely waiting time or the opportunity to see another suitably qualified clinician sooner.

When Your Preferred Clinician Is Unavailable

If your preferred clinician is unavailable, you may choose to:

• Wait for the next available appointment with your preferred clinician, understanding that this may delay your care.
• See another appropriately qualified clinician sooner.

Where waiting is likely to delay diagnosis or treatment, or where your condition is urgent, we will advise you to see the earliest available appropriate clinician. Our priority is to ensure that patients receive safe and timely care.

Urgent Medical Problems

If you have an urgent medical concern, we strongly encourage you to accept the earliest available appointment with an appropriate clinician. Waiting for a preferred clinician may not be in your best interests and could result in unnecessary delays to assessment or treatment.

Respectful Care

All of our clinicians are appropriately trained and qualified to provide high-quality care. If your preferred clinician is unavailable, another member of the clinical team will have access to your medical record and will provide care based on your individual needs. If ongoing follow-up with a particular clinician is beneficial, we will make every reasonable effort to support continuity of care.

By registering with the practice, you acknowledge that whilst we will endeavour to respect your preferences wherever possible, we cannot guarantee appointments with a specific clinician or clinician of a particular gender. Clinical need and patient safety will always guide appointment allocation.