GP registration for homeless people - Mystery Shopper 2017 Report

This mystery shopper report explores how easy it is for people experiencing homelessness or living in temporary accommodation to register with GP practices in Hounslow. Healthwatch Hounslow contacted local practices posing as a person without a permanent address to assess whether registration processes reflected national NHS guidance and supported equitable access to primary care.

The exercise found that many GP practices were incorrectly requesting forms of identification that are not required under NHS registration guidance. Most practices contacted stated that prospective patients would need photo identification or multiple forms of ID, creating potential barriers for people who are homeless or living in insecure accommodation. The findings highlighted inconsistency in how registration policies were applied across practices and the risk of vulnerable people being denied access to primary care services.

Healthwatch Hounslow worked with Hounslow CCG to address these issues through staff training, reminders about registration requirements and plans for further monitoring. The report emphasises the importance of removing barriers to GP registration and ensuring that all residents, regardless of housing status, can access primary care services when needed