If a GP surgery will not register you, ask them to explain why in writing and try other surgeries near you. You can also contact your local integrated care board (ICB), which can assign you to a surgery.
In short:
- A GP surgery can only refuse to register you for reasonable grounds, and must explain why in writing within 14 days.
- Try other surgeries near you, including ones that accept patients from outside their area.
- If no surgery will take you, your local integrated care board (ICB) can assign you to one.
- While you wait, any GP surgery can give you the treatment you need immediately for up to 14 days.
What should I do if a GP surgery won't register me?
If a GP surgery says their list is full, ask for the reason in writing and try other surgeries near you. If none will register you, contact your local integrated care board (ICB). The ICB is the NHS organisation that plans health services in your area.
These rules are for England. They are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Ask the surgery to give you the reason for refusing you in writing.
- Search for other NHS surgeries near your home on Bookable and apply to them.
- Contact your local ICB if no surgery will register you.
- If you think the refusal was unfair, you have the option to complain.
Can a GP surgery refuse to register you?
Yes, but only for reasonable grounds. According to NHS guidance on registering with a GP (opens in a new tab), a surgery may refuse you if:
- they are not accepting new patients
- you live outside their area
- they have other reasonable grounds
NHS England's guidance says being removed from a surgery's list in the past should not usually stop you registering again. The exception is if you were removed because of violent or threatening behaviour.
A surgery cannot refuse you for reasons to do with your race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or medical condition. NHS England's guidance for surgeries (opens in a new tab) sets this out. Adults also do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register. Find out whether you need ID or proof of address to register with a GP.
Does a GP surgery have to give a reason for refusing you?
Yes. If a surgery refuses to register you, they must write to you within 14 days to explain why. They must also keep a record of your application and the reason they refused. Keep the letter, as it helps if you contact your ICB or make a complaint.
Can the NHS give me a GP if no surgery will take me?
Yes. If a surgery has refused you, you can contact your local ICB and ask it to assign you to one. When it assigns you, it must think about your wishes and circumstances and how far you live from the surgery. You will then get a letter confirming your registration and explaining how to use the surgery.
If you contact the ICB about a refusal, it must check the situation with the surgery. Your ICB's website will explain how to ask. Citizens Advice and your local Healthwatch (opens in a new tab) can also help.
What if you're unhappy about being refused?
If you think the refusal was unfair, you have the option to complain. You can complain to the GP surgery or to your local ICB, but not both. Try to complain within 12 months of the refusal.
If you are not happy with the final answer, you can take it to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. It makes final decisions on NHS complaints in England.
A free NHS complaints advocate can help you write your complaint and come to meetings with you. Find out more on NHS England's feedback and complaints page (opens in a new tab).
How can I get medical help while I'm not registered?
You can still get NHS care while you look for a GP:
- any GP surgery can give you the treatment you need immediately for up to 14 days if you're not registered
- if you're staying somewhere for up to 3 months, you can ask a surgery to register you as a temporary patient
- a pharmacist can help with minor illnesses without an appointment, and treat some conditions through Pharmacy First, such as sore throats and sinusitis
- if you need medical help now but it is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online (opens in a new tab) or call 111
Important: in an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.
Common questions
Can a GP surgery put me on a waiting list to register?
NHS England's guidance says waiting lists for registration are not appropriate. If a surgery cannot take new patients, they should discuss closing their list with the ICB rather than keep a waiting list.
Can a GP refuse me because I don't have ID or proof of address?
Adults do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register with a GP in England. If you have no permanent address, you can use a temporary address or the surgery's address.
How long does a GP surgery have to reply to my registration?
If a surgery refuses to register you, they must write to you within 14 days of your application to explain why.
What is an integrated care board (ICB)?
An ICB is the NHS organisation that plans health services in your area. You can contact it if you have problems registering, and it handles complaints about GP services.
Can I register with a GP outside my area if local lists are full?
Some surgeries accept patients from outside their area, but not all do. If you register out of area, the surgery may not offer home visits, so check what care you would get first.
Sources
- Register with a GP surgery (opens in a new tab) (NHS)
- Rejecting a registration (opens in a new tab) (NHS England Digital)
- Primary medical services policy and guidance manual (PGM) (opens in a new tab) (NHS England)
- Feedback and complaints about NHS services (opens in a new tab) (NHS England)
- Appointments and bookings at your GP surgery (opens in a new tab) (NHS)
- When to use NHS 111 online or call 111 (opens in a new tab) (NHS)
- Find your local Healthwatch (opens in a new tab) (Healthwatch England)