Continuity of Care

Continuity of care and registered GPs

At Southampton Sea City Partnership we are keen to promote continuity of care wherever possible. This is particularly relevant to patients with more complex or long-term conditions and means that we will try to ensure that you deal with the same doctor (and/or other members of our team). This helps build trust and also helps you and our clinicians to get to know one another so we can better understand your choices and priorities. There is good evidence that continuity of care can help improve clinical outcomes and patient experience.

When you register at Southampton Sea City Partnership, we will allocate you a “Registered GP” and will tell you who this is. Your Registered GP will take a lead role in the coordination of your care. This is particularly relevant if you have more complex and long-term health needs, in which case you can expect to have appointments and/or talk with your Registered GP periodically to discuss your care. The role of the Registered GP will be more significant for patients with more complex needs. Your Registered GP will usually take the lead responsibility for other aspects of your care including interpreting diagnostic test results (e.g. blood results) and liaising with other clinicians and services about your care.   Your registered GP will also be supported by other members of our team which means that sometimes you will be seen by other doctors, advanced practitioners, pharmacists, or other members of the team who will be well placed to meet your needs. We have good communication across our team, and your Registered GP will coordinate and link with these other team members to ensure your care is joined up.

Sometimes where your care needs are less complex or more short-term, you will more likely be offered care from other members of the team, to enable you to be seen more quickly and to ensure that your needs are best matched with someone from our team that can help.