Is this medical advice?

No. It is information to help you prepare, not medical advice. The sheet holds your own words so you can say what you came to say. If something feels urgent, do not wait: call NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999.

Is what I type sent anywhere?

No. The sheet is built in your browser and nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else. If you tick the box to keep a draft, it is saved in this browser on this device only, and clearing the form deletes it.

Should I hand the sheet to the doctor?

You can, or you can read from it. The NHS suggests taking notes with you and ticking each point off during the appointment, so a printed copy you can write on works well.

What if I have more questions than fit?

Put the one that matters most first. Appointments are short, and the NHS suggests writing down your few most important questions. If there is more to cover, ask whether you should book another appointment for it.

Free tool · Life Journeys

GP appointment prep sheet

GP appointments go quickly, and it is easy to come out having forgotten the thing you most wanted to say. Fill this in beforehand, in your own words, and it becomes a tidy one-page sheet you can print or save and take with you.

This is information to help you prepare, not medical advice. If something feels urgent, don’t wait: call NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999.

Your main concern, in your own words

Describe it the way you would to a friend. There is no wrong way to put it.

When did it start?

A date, or roughly: “around the start of the summer”.

How often does it happen?

Every day, a few times a week, only at night…

What makes it better?

What makes it worse?

What have you tried so far?

Anything at all, including rest, changes to food or sleep, or something from the pharmacy.

Medicines and supplements you take

Include vitamins, herbal remedies and anything bought without a prescription, with how much and how often if you know.

Questions you want to ask

Put the one that matters most first, in case time runs short.

Most important question

Next question

One more question

What would you like to leave the appointment with?

For example: an idea of what might be causing it, a test, a plan, or knowing when to come back.

Appointment date (optional)

Keep a draft in this browser, so I can come back to it. It stays on this device and is never sent to us.

Your sheet

It fills in as you type. Print it, or save it as a PDF, and take it with you.

My GP appointment notes

Notes to take to my appointment

Start filling in the form above and your notes will appear here.

Written by me to help me prepare. This is not medical advice. If something feels urgent, call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

How to use it

The questions follow the NHS’s own advice on what to ask your doctor: write down your symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse, list every medicine you take including vitamins and supplements, and note your most important questions.

Describe it in your own words. You do not need medical terms. What it feels like, where, and how it gets in the way of your day is what helps.
Be honest about what you have tried. Including things that did not help, and anything from a pharmacy, a health shop or online.
List every medicine and supplement. Or bring them in their boxes. A pharmacist can also help you with questions about medicines you have been prescribed.
Put your most important question first. If time runs short, it is the one you will be glad you asked.
Print it, or save it as a PDF, and tick each point off as you go. Write down what happens next before you leave.

If your symptoms come and go, a few days of notes can help you answer “how often” and “what makes it worse”. Our guide on how to keep a symptom diary shows a simple way to do it. You can also take someone with you for support, or ask your surgery for an interpreter if you need one.

Questions people ask

Is this medical advice?: No. It is information to help you prepare, not medical advice. The sheet holds your own words so you can say what you came to say. If something feels urgent, do not wait: call NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999.
Is what I type sent anywhere?: No. The sheet is built in your browser and nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else. If you tick the box to keep a draft, it is saved in this browser on this device only, and clearing the form deletes it.
Should I hand the sheet to the doctor?: You can, or you can read from it. The NHS suggests taking notes with you and ticking each point off during the appointment, so a printed copy you can write on works well.
What if I have more questions than fit?: Put the one that matters most first. Appointments are short, and the NHS suggests writing down your few most important questions. If there is more to cover, ask whether you should book another appointment for it.

Going further with your health

The health journey is about understanding your own health properly and building a plan with the people who care for you. Read about the health journey.