How To Register With A Gp Surgery

This page is about registering with a GP surgery or changing your current GP surgery.

Find out about:

• Appointments and bookings at your GP surgery
• Viewing your test results

Register or change GP surgery online or using the NHS App

You can register with a GP surgery or change your current GP surgery online using the NHS website.

To register online:

1. Enter a post code or use your location to look for GP surgeries in the area you want to register. Most people will need to register near where they live but some surgeries accept patients from further away.
2. Choose a surgery you want to register with that offers online registration.
3. Fill in a registration form. This takes about 15 minutes for each person you want to register.

You should be told when you have been registered. It will usually be within 5 days of the surgery getting your details, but it may take longer.

Find a GP to register with

If you have the NHS App, you can use it to change GP surgery.

You'll be asked to agree for some of your details to be shared with the new GP surgery.

You must already be registered with a GP surgery to use the NHS App.

You do not need to tell your current GP surgery if you're changing. They'll be told automatically once you're registered with your new surgery.

Other ways to register with a GP surgery

You can also register or change GP surgery by:

• going to the surgery you want to register with and filling in a paper form
• downloading the register&t=ation.nhs.uk/register-with-a-gp-surgery-paper-form">register with a GP surgery paper form, filling it in and taking it to the surgery you want to register with
• filling in a form on the surgery's own website (only offered at some surgeries)

What you need to register with a GP surgery

You'll only be asked to give basic information to register with a GP surgery. This includes your name, date of birth and address.

You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status.

Having an NHS number can make it easier to find your medical records, but you do not need one to register.

As part of registering you'll also be asked for:

• the name and address of an emergency contact
• the name and address of the GP you're registered with now, if you have one
• the name and address of your carer, if you have one

Sometimes, a GP surgery may ask for extra documents or details for other reasons, like helping to find or transfer your medical records, or to prove you're the parent or guardian of a child you're registering.

If you do not have a permanent address, you can register with a GP surgery using a temporary address or the address of the GP surgery.

Who can register with a GP surgery

Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery, including as a temporary patient if you're visiting from abroad.

A GP surgery may refuse your registration if:

• they're not accepting new patients
• you live outside the surgery's area
• you have been removed from their patient list before

If a surgery does not accept your registration

If a GP surgery refuses to register you, they must write to you within 14 days to explain why.

If you have problems registering with a GP surgery, you can contact:

• your local integrated care board (ICB)
• Citizens Advice
• your local Healthwatch

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