More than 425,000 NHS patients have used the new online GP registration service since its launch last August.
Managed by NHS England, the Register with a GP surgery service makes it easier and more convenient than ever for NHS patients to access healthcare.
The online GP registration system means there is no need for time-consuming paperwork or to visit a GP surgery in person. The service is open 24/7, meaning patients can register with a GP outside working hours.
Over 1,400 GP surgeries, around one in five, have joined the NHS’ online GP registration service. The initiative is part of the NHS’ plan to improve primary care access.
The plan aims for 2,000 GP surgeries to enrol in the online GP registration service by December 2023.
Commenting on the uptake in online registrations, Stephen Koch, NHS England’s Executive Director of Platforms, said: “We’re pleased to see one in five GP surgeries are now part of the national online Register with a GP surgery service, giving patients an improved experience and helping to reduce known barriers that exist with GP registration.
“Patients no longer have to visit a surgery to register as they can access the service any time, outside working hours, using the internet or NHS App.
“It is free for GP surgeries to use and saves them time by making the process much simpler.”
How do I register with a GP online?
You can access the online GP registration by visiting the NHS website’s Find a GP service, which is available through the NHS app, or using individual GP surgery websites.
Registering with a GP is quick and simple. The service automatically checks if patients live in the catchment area for a GP surgery and matches them with their NHS records.
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director of Primary Care and Community Services for NHS England, discussed the significant benefits of online GP registration.
She said: “At a time when record numbers of patients are coming forward to see their GP, this is one of the many ways the NHS is transforming the way practices work to make it as easy as possible for people to get the care they need.
“It helps free up the time of busy practice staff so they can spend more time focusing on patients and less time filling in paperwork.”
Online GP registration saves time for NHS staff
Whereas many GP surgeries still use paper forms for patient registrations, which can take unnecessary admin time, online GP registration has been shown to save GP surgery staff up to 15 minutes per registration.
The service also increases patient accessibility significantly, with 48% of patients using the online tool registering outside normal GP opening hours.
Additionally, 68% of patients using the registration service were switching GPs, with other submissions including people registering with a GP for the first time, newborns, and ex-military patients.
You can still register in person
While developing the online system, the NHS updated the paper form for GP surgeries in England that offer the online service.
The new form uses the same standardised questions as the digital service to speed up the process and has been designed using patient and GP surgery feedback.
