Registering with a GP
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Healthwatch Dorset, Healthwatch Hampshire, Healthwatch Isle of Wight, Healthwatch Southampton and Healthwatch Portsmouth undertook a mystery shopping exercise on GP registration after Healthwatch Southampton heard from a number of people about problems registering. They contacted all 322 GP practices (including branches) to ask what they required, if anything, from patients when registering. Their intention was to discover which practices had updated their registration policy to reflect the amended national guidance.
Only seven percent of practices required no form of identification at all, whereas three quarters required photo ID. When the mystery shopper explained they didn't have any, most of the practices insisted on proof of address.
The report recommends that GP practice staff receive training on the amended national guidance on ID.