Removing obstacles to GP registration. Information and signposting case study.

Residents in Barking and Dagenham have called Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham several times to stress how difficult it is for them to register with a local GP practice. They had problems with requests for various documentation to confirm their identification and addresses. They were advised that the paperwork they gave wasn't sufficient after they had to make a few trips to the surgery.

Residents have been advised, in accordance with NHS guidelines, that:

• In England, anyone can register with a GP for free.
• Immigration status, proof of address, ID or NHS number isn’t required to register.

This also applies if you are an asylum seeker, refugee, homeless patient, or an overseas visitor, whether lawfully in the UK or not. Residents were advised that if a doctor's office requests any form of paperwork, it's usually to search medical records or transfer patients to another doctor. Therefore, it's critical to understand why a GP office is requesting a certain piece of paperwork.

If a GP rejects your registration, it is due to the following:

• patient lives outside of the surgery catchment area. Most of the time people register with a GP that is local, but it's also possible to register with a GP surgery outside your local area.
• the patient has been removed from the surgery they have tried to register with.
• the patient lives a long way from the surgery and needs frequent visitation.
• practice is not taking on any new patients.

Residents need to know that:

• If there is a valid reason the surgery cannot accept a patient, they should inform the patient in writing within 14 days and follow their surgery's relevant process.
• If a child under 16 is getting registered, they must be registered by a parent/guardian and ID may be required.
•  It can take up to 28 days to change GPs, as medical records must be transferred, and if you have moved but you remain with the same GP, you must inform your GP about your new address.
• You can register for a GP as a temporary resident for up 3 months.
• Registering with a practice further away from home can affect decisions about referrals for hospital tests and treatment, or access to community health services. Speak to the GP about your options.

To access more detailed information please access this link: Patient Registrations - Primary Care Support England

Contact us if you have any difficulties accessing primary care by calling 0800 298 5331 or emailing us at info@healthwatchbarkinganddagenham.co.uk