EASIER THAN EVER FOR WEST MIDLANDS' RESIDENTS TO REGISTER WITH A GP
6 January 2025
Almost all GP practices in the West Midlands are now offering online registration, making it easier than ever for people to sign up or make the switch.
According to the latest NHS data, GP practices in the West Midlands have the highest regional percentage of GP surgeries enrolled in online registration services in England, with the service now available at all of 608 practices across the West Midlands. The number of GP practices in England offering online registration has nearly doubled in the past six months, with the service now available at over 6,000 (96%) of practices across England.
Digital registration is quick and easy. Anyone wishing to register with a GP practice no longer needs to visit the practice and can instead complete registration at any time to suit them in just a few clicks. Patients do not need ID, an NHS number or proof of address to register with a GP. People registering online can also use translation tools alongside the service, making it more accessible for those whose first language is not English.
Patients can also register via the NHS App. This offers many time-saving, convenient features for the patient, including checking they are in the catchment area for the practice. Some of the required personal information will be auto-populated in the form, and the App can even confirm back to the patient if their application has been accepted by the surgery.
Using the NHSApp, patients can access health records, which includes GP notes taken during doctor’s appointments, vaccination records, medicines, as well as reordering repeat prescriptions. Making life that little bit easier.
In November 2024, there were over nine million log-ins to the NHSApp from Midlands patients (5.3m in the West Midlands and 3.7m in the East Midlands) as the NHS encourages those not yet using the App to download it to help manage their health on their smartphone.
Dr Joanne Watt, Associate Director for Primary Care, NHS Midlands, said:
“It is fantastic that all West Midlands GP practices are now offering online registration, making it easier than ever before for people to sign up to a GP practice of their choice at a time that is convenient for them. It is really important that everyone registers with a local GP practice so that they can be offered long term condition checks and preventative treatment such as vaccinations, and well as care when they are unwell. The winter holiday season gets busy and finding the time to register with a new GP practice is not easy, but with the online service, West Midlands residents can complete registration in a few simple steps from any location.
“If you've been putting off registering with a GP practice, please check the NHS App or website. If you have moved home please don't wait until you are ill to register with a GP practice, it’s quick and easy to get registered.”
Dr Rajiv Kalia, Associate Medical Director for Primary Care and PCNs, NHS Midlands, and GP Partner at the Kings Norton and Ash Tree Surgery in Birmingham said:
“In our practice, we’ve been offering online registration for our patients. Patients tell us that they find it convenient and easy to use to register with the practice.
"We're also seeing almost 80% of our patients using the NHSApp to do common tasks like make GP appointments, access their online medical records and order repeat prescriptions. We have trained our care navigators to become confident in using the NHS app to help our patients register themselves for future use. We are keen for as many of our patients to become registered with the NHS app to help avoid the 8am rush."
Patients can access the service using individual GP surgery websites and the ‘Find a GP service’ website, which is also available via the NHS App. Patients can still collect a paper form from their local GP practice too.
For more information, visit Register with a GP surgery - NHS England Digital
The NHS is working closely with the government on developing a 10-Year Health Plan which will see more innovations and technology like this to improve care for patients and make the delivery of healthcare more efficient for generations to come – moving us from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and from sickness to preven