Since April 2015, all GP practices in England are required to assign a named accountable GP to every patient, including children. This is typically communicated to patients upon registration or through practice communications. The named GP serves as a point of contact for care coordination, although patients can consult with any GP or healthcare professional within the practice.
Patients have the right to express a preference for a particular doctor or healthcare professional within their GP practice. Practices generally try to accommodate these preferences unless there are valid reasons for refusal. Patients can express their preferences through specified communication channels, such as contacting the practice directly or submitting a written request. These preferences are recorded, and practices aim to honour them where possible.
Patients aged 75 and over are assigned a named accountable GP responsible for coordinating their care. This initiative ensures that elderly patients have a dedicated professional overseeing their healthcare needs. Patients are informed of their named GP, who works with relevant health and social care professionals to deliver a coordinated care package. While the named GP oversees care, patients can still see any healthcare professional within the practice.