Safe Surgeries Accredited GP Practice

Guidelines

Reception staff should keep the following five guidelines in mind when migrant patients seek to register with our practice:

1. Everyone in England has the right to be registered and consult with a GP, without charge, regardless of their immigration status.

2. If a patient doesn’t have proof of address or ID but say they are living in our catchment area, they should still be registered.

• There are many reasons why a patient, particularly those in vulnerable situations, might not have access to these documents.

3. If a patient has difficulty communicating in English, use a telephone interpreter.

• Google Translate might also be useful for basic non-clinical information.

4. Don’t ask about a patient’s immigration status, or to see proof of it. This information is not needed for registration and asking for it might intimidate some patients.

• The GMS1 form includes ‘supplementary questions’ about immigration status, however patients don’t have to complete this section if they don’t want to.

5. If a patient is worried about giving a home address, you can also reassure them that their information is safe and won’t be used to trace them because of their immigration status.

• If needed, you can also use the address of the practice or another place where post could reach them (like a mosque, church or community centre).