In order to work in the NHS independent practitioners (doctors, dentists, pharmacists and opticians) are required to be included in the relevant practitioner list somewhere in the country. It is usual for the practitioner to be on the list of the PCT in whose area they work for the majority of the time. On receipt of an application to enter one of the practitioner lists the PCT checks that the practitioner is fit to practice, prior to entering them onto the list.

All practitioners are governed by national regulations and terms of service. These lay out the conditions under which a practitioner must operate. Copies of 'The National Health Service Regulations 1992' for each practitioner area can be purchased from The Stationery Office, Tel. 0870 600 5522).

Where PCTs identify concerns about independent practitioners the PCT has the right to remove or conditionally remove a practitioner from their list. The procedure for this is laid out in the Health and Social Care Act 2001, which can be purchased from The Stationery Office, Tel. 0870 600 5522).


General Practitioners:
The first port of call for many people when they develop a health problem is their local doctor, also known as a general practitioner (GP). These doctors usually form a small practice or surgery to serve a particular neighbourhood. GPs are on the frontline of the NHS - the part officially called 'primary care'. Many other health professionals work as part of this frontline team - nurses, health visitors, dentists, opticians, pharmacists and a range of specialist therapists. Every UK citizen has a right to be registered with a local GP and visits to the surgery are free. NHS Direct and NHS walk-in centres are also part of primary care. For more information, click here.

Community Pharmacists:
These are specialist health professionals who make and sell medicines. They usually have a shop in the high street, and are often called 'chemists'. They are experts on medicines and the way they work and will make up prescriptions issued by your doctor. They can give advice on treatments that can be bought over-the-counter. For more information, click here.

Optometrists/Opticians:
These are specialist health professionals who test eyes and prescribe lenses to correct sight problems. They are more commonly known as opticians. A dispensing optician fits and sells glasses but does not test eyes. An ophthalmic optician specialises in making glasses and in testing eyes and prescribing lenses.

General Dental Services:
For further information on general dental services, please click here

All Independent Practitioners are required to produce their own Freedom of Information Publication Schemes. Further information on these schemes is available on this website.

For more information about independent practitioners click here