What to Do if a Doctors’ Surgery Won’t Register You

What are my rights to getting health care?

When the National Health Service (NHS) started in 1948, it was based on three main ideas:

• The NHS is for everyone.
•  You don't have to pay when you receive care.
•  You get care based on your health needs, not on how much money you have.

What health services can I get?

• Everyone, including those without a fixed address, has the right to access health services for free.
• This includes attending A&E for urgent care and registering at a doctor's surgery.

Your rights for registering at a GP surgery

• A doctor's surgery can only refuse to register you if:
  • NHS England has allowed them to close their list to new patients.
• You do not need identification to register at a doctor's surgery.
•  You do not need a fixed address to register.
  • The surgery can use its own address for your registration.

What you can do if you are refused access

• Sometimes, doctor's surgeries may not follow these rules.
• NHS England has created a GP Access Card here.
• You can show this card if you are refused registration.