How to Register With a GP

Registering With GPs: Overview

GPs, or general practitioners, are normally the first port of call for UK residents when they need to see a medical professional.

This is because GPs are well-equipped to deal with a variety of common medical conditions. They can also refer you to other services in hospitals and other medical centres for further treatment if needed.

For this reason, it is highly recommended that you register with a GP as soon as you arrive in the UK if you are planning to stay in the UK long-term, such as if you have a Skilled Worker visa or a Student visa. Here, we will guide you through the process of how to do so, as well as answering other common questions about GPs and medical care in the UK.

Am I Eligible to Register With a GP in the UK?

If you’re currently in the UK, it is likely that you will be eligible to register with a GP.

This is because GPs do not normally need to ask for your proof of address, immigration ID or status, or an existing NHS ID number.

Therefore, you do not need to be a UK citizen, have permanent residency status (such as indefinite leave to remain) or be planning to stay in the UK permanently to register with a GP.

Note, however, that while registering with a GP is free, you may still need to pay for other medical services in the UK, depending on your immigration status.

You may not be able to register with a GP for the following reasons:

• The GP surgery is currently not accepting new patients
• You do not live within the GP surgery’s catchment area. Some GPs may only accept patients who live within a certain distance away from the surgery, or within a certain area. You may need to provide proof of your address to prove that you are eligible to register.
• You’ve previously been removed from that GP surgery before.

How Do I Register With a GP?

The first step to register with a GP is finding the right one for you. You should register with one that is close to where you live, especially as some surgeries may only accept patients who live within their catchment area.

You can use the NHS website to find GP surgeries close to you. This tool will also tell you if the surgery is accepting new patients, if they accept registrations from outside of their catchment area, and other details such as their opening times.

Once you’ve chosen your surgery, you will then need to fill in a registration form. This will normally be provided either online through the surgery’s website or the NHS website, or by paper from the surgery itself.

The form will ask you for personal information such as your name, address, and previous medical history.

You may be asked for additional supporting documentation to help the surgery find your previous medical records or to confirm that you live within the surgery’s catchment area.

Once you have submitted your registration form, you may receive confirmation from the surgery confirming that you have been registered.

After registering, the surgery may request that you make an appointment for a health screening.

Registering Children

If you have any children under the age of 16, you as their parent or guardian will need to register them at a GP surgery on their behalf.

You will also need to fill in a registration form for them. You may also have to provide proof that you are their parent or guardian, such as official ID or documentation.

How to Register as a Temporary Resident

If you’re going to be staying in the UK for longer than 24 hours but no more than a few weeks or months, you may wish to consider registering at a GP surgery as a temporary resident.

You can register as a temporary resident with a GP surgery for periods of time up to 3 months. To do so, you will have to fill in a temporary services form from your chosen surgery.

Once the 3 months has elapsed, you can either re-register as a temporary resident or become a permanent patient at that surgery.

This is a viable option for visitors to the UK on short-term temporary visas, such as the Visitor visa.

Alternative Medical Care Options in the UK

Aside from GPs, there are also a range of other options to seek medical help in the UK if you need it. These are also readily available to non-UK residents at no charge. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Phoning 999: For medical emergencies, such as if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
• Phoning 111: For when you need medical help but it is not an emergency.
• NHS 111 Online: An online service where you can seek help for your symptoms.
• Walk-in units, minor injuries units or urgent treatment centres: For less serious illnesses or injuries. The availability of these may vary based on your local area.
• Pharmacies: Pharmacists are able to advise on common minor illnesses and injuries and recommend non-prescription (also known as ‘over the counter’) medicines.

Note that if you are not a permanent resident of the UK, you may have to pay in order to access certain healthcare services from hospitals. The UK government always advises visitors to the UK to have comprehensive travel health insurance before visiting the UK to cover any potential costs that may arise as a result of seeking medical treatment.

Meanwhile, if you are already in the UK a visa that allows you to stay for longer than 6 months, you should have already paid the immigration healthcare surcharge, which will allow you to access NHS services.

How Can IAS Help?

Whether you are visiting the UK for a short period of time or intent to stay for longer, it’s important to ensure that you have things such as medical care and immigration organised in advance before you travel.

IAS can help. Our legal advisers can assist with your move or visit to the UK, helping with things such as:

• Determining which visa or permit is right for you
• Helping to gather and organise your legal documents and papers
• Liaising with the Home Office or UKVI on your behalf to address any concerns
• Providing concierge services to help with the logistics of moving
• Giving legal advice and support for new arrivals in the UK and beyond, including permanent residency, citizenship and family immigration matters

We’re here to help. Call us on 0333 305 9375 or reach out to us online for immediate assistance today.