We interviewed 34 young people about their experiences of going to the GP (local doctor) and the care they were given. This is called ‘primary care’ because it’s the first place people go when they need health advice or treatment. Before we started the research, we also involved nine people in a focus group to tell us what questions we should ask in the interviews and what information they’d find most helpful in this section.

Young people talked about seeing the GP about minor issues, long-term conditions, mental health and sexual health. They also talked about making appointments, seeing the GP alone or with a parent, receptionists, what makes a good GP and appointment, and how healthcare could be improved. We interviewed a GP, too, for information about privacy in appointments, young people’s rights, what kinds of problems GPs can help with, and what to do when local surgery GPs are unavailable.

This guide aims to help young people who are thinking of visiting the GP, whether that’s because of a small minor problem, mental or sexual health, or to talk about a long-term condition. Each section gives advice and tips from other young people that could be helpful before going to see the doctor. This includes advice about making an appointment, confidentiality, and what the appointment might be like.

We’ll also be making new resources for schools, colleges and GP surgeries based on what young people have told us they’d find helpful.

www.seeingthegp.co.uk