Plans to pick your own GP

Patients will be able to choose which GP practice to register with, regardless of whether it is closest to their home, under a pilot scheme announced yesterday.

For example, commuters could choose a doctor's surgery near their workplace, regardless of practice boundaries.

The year-long pilot scheme will begin in April in Westminster, City & Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Manchester, Salford and Nottingham City primary care trusts. GP practices will join up on a voluntary basis.