The easiest way to find a GP near you that's accepting new patients is to search by your postcode. Bookable shows NHS GP surgeries that cover your address and lets you register and book your first appointment online in one go. You can also search the NHS Find a GP service.
In short:
- Search by postcode on Bookable or the NHS Find a GP service.
- Most surgeries only register people who live in their catchment area.
- Some surgeries accept patients from outside their area, but they may not offer home visits.
- If a surgery refuses to register you, they must tell you why in writing within 14 days.
How do I find a GP near me that's accepting new patients?
The quickest route is Bookable. Enter your postcode and Bookable shows NHS GP surgeries that cover your address, with the appointments they have available. You can then register online and book your first appointment at the same time. It takes about 10 minutes, you do not need any documents and it is free.
Bookable is rated 4.4 out of 5 from over 3,000 reviews. Patients have said:
- "So so simple! I was dragging my feet on registering for a GP because I thought the process too tedious but this was so simple and straight forward. I won’t stop recommending it!" New patient at Sms Medical Practice
- "Excellent quick and easy. Would recommend to a friend or family member. Brilliant." New patient at Chatfield Health Care
You can also:
- search the NHS Find a GP service (opens in a new tab), which lists GP surgeries in England, including any that do not use Bookable
- check a surgery's website, or contact them to ask if they are taking new patients
What is a GP catchment area?
A catchment area is the area a GP surgery covers. Each surgery sets their own area. Most people need to register with a surgery near where they live, and a surgery can refuse to register you if you live outside their catchment area.
The quickest way to check which surgeries cover your address is to search your home postcode on Bookable, which shows NHS GP surgeries that cover where you live. You can also look on a surgery's website or contact them directly.
Can I register with a GP outside my area?
Yes, but not all GP surgeries accept patients from outside their area. On the NHS Find a GP service you can filter for surgeries that accept out of area registrations, or you can check with the surgery.
If you register out of area, the surgery does not have to offer you home visits. Registering out of area can also affect out-of-hours care and community services such as physiotherapy and midwife appointments. Ask the surgery what applies to you before you register. You can read more on the NHS page on registering with a GP surgery (opens in a new tab).
How do I compare GP surgeries?
On Bookable you can compare surgeries near you by distance, appointment availability and patient ratings. When you have a shortlist, it can help to look at:
- distance from your home, and how easy it is to get there
- opening hours, and whether they suit your work or childcare
- how you can book appointments, for example online or by phone
- the surgery's rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the body that inspects health services in England
- what patients say about the surgery
You can look up a surgery's latest inspection report and rating on the CQC's Find a family doctor or GP page (opens in a new tab). The GP Patient Survey (opens in a new tab), run for NHS England, asks patients about their recent appointments and overall experience of their practice.
You can change GP surgery at any time, so your first choice does not have to be permanent.
What do I need to register with a GP?
Adults do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register with a GP in England. You need basic details such as your name, date of birth and address. If you have no permanent address, you can use a temporary address or the surgery's address. Read more in do you need ID to register with a GP.
Once you've picked a surgery, our guide on how to register with a GP takes you through the next steps.
What if no GP near me is accepting new patients?
A surgery can refuse to register you if they are not accepting new patients or you live outside their area. If they refuse, they must write to you within 14 days to explain why.
Before you give up, search your postcode on Bookable to see NHS GP surgeries near you that you can register with.
If you still have problems registering, you can contact your local integrated care board (ICB), the NHS body that plans GP services in your area. You can also contact Citizens Advice or your local Healthwatch (opens in a new tab). Our guide on what to do if a GP surgery says their list is full explains your options step by step.
Tip: register with a GP before you get ill. If you need medical help now and it is not an emergency, use 111.nhs.uk or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.
Common questions
How do I know if a GP surgery is taking new patients?
Search your postcode on Bookable to see NHS GP surgeries near you that you can register with. You can also check a surgery's website or contact them directly.
How do I find out which GP catchment area I'm in?
Each surgery sets their own catchment area. Search your home postcode on Bookable to see surgeries that cover your address, or check a surgery's website or contact them with your address.
Can a GP refuse me because I live outside the catchment area?
Yes. A surgery can refuse to register you if you live outside their area. They must write to you within 14 days to explain why.
Will I get home visits if I register out of area?
Not necessarily. A surgery that registers you from outside their area does not have to offer home visits, so ask them what care you would get before you register.
Can I register with a GP near my work instead of my home?
You can apply to a surgery outside the area you live in, but not all surgeries accept out of area patients. It may also affect home visits and some community services.
Sources
- Register with a GP surgery (opens in a new tab) (NHS)
- Find a GP (opens in a new tab) (NHS)
- Safe and effective provision of high quality primary medical services to out of area registered patients: implementing the 2025/26 GP contract change (opens in a new tab) (NHS England)
- Find a family doctor or GP (opens in a new tab) (Care Quality Commission)
- GP Patient Survey (opens in a new tab) (NHS England)
- Find your local Healthwatch (opens in a new tab) (Healthwatch England)