GP services FAQ

You do not need proof of ID to register with a GP, but it might help if you have one or more of the following:

• passport
• birth certificate
• HC2 certificate
• rough sleepers’ identity badge
• hostel or accommodation registration or mail forwarding letter

If you’re homeless, you can give a temporary address, such as a friend’s address, a day centre or the GP surgery address.

Sometimes, you may not be able to register with a GP surgery, for example, if:

• You live outside the area that the surgery covers
• The surgery is not accepting new patients
• You will need to register with another GP surgery in your area instead.

There are different situations under which a GP surgery may close. As such, there will be different organisations involved. Read on to find out the decision makers in some of the more common situations.

GP surgery wishes to close
A GP surgery may wish to close one or more of its sites for a number of business or delivery model reasons. In these situations, the surgery will need to put together a case for why it believes the closure of the surgery is on balance the best option for people registered at the practice. Critically, the opinion of patients must be taken into account before any decisions are made, so the surgery will need to run a period of engagement to find out the opinions of their patients.

Although the surgery may want to close, the final decision rests with us, NHS Mid and South Essex. We will consider the evidence the surgery gives us and consider it alongside the feedback of patients and other local partners, as well as our own plans and strategies for GP services locally.

GP surgery relocates to a new building
There are many reasons why a surgery might want to relocate, such as wanting extra space or to work more closely with other local services. Whatever the case may be, the surgery will need to go through a similar process to closing a branch. They will need to make a convincing case, seek the views of their patients, and have their plans approved by us at NHS Mid and South Essex. Whilst this is usually a positive change as the surgery is likely to be relocating to fit for purpose, modern premises, the impact on patients will still need to be considered.

A surgery closed because of safety concerns
On very rare occasions, a GP surgery may need to close because of safety concerns that cannot be reasonably resolved. Surgeries are inspected regularly by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who oversee and regulate GP practices in the UK.  Following an inspection, a GP surgery might have its registration cancelled by the CQC. If that happens they will need to stop providing care to patients.  Thankfully this situation is very rare but if it did happen the local NHS would make sure all registered patients would be able to continue to access GP services.   

If a GP surgery decides that it wants to close or move location, it will need to notify patients, partners and NHS Mid and South Essex of its proposals.

There will be two primary tasks the GP surgery will need to complete before a final decision can be made: a formal summary of the case for closing or moving, and engagement with their patients and partners.

The formal summary case will need to outline the GP surgery’s position on closing the surgery or moving location. It will need to:

• explain the reasons why the GP surgery thinks that closure or moving is the best option (for the total registered population), including a review of other options they have considered
• outline how patients could be affected by the proposals and how the surgery will aim to minimise any negative effects on patients
• complete an equality impact assessment to determine if the proposals will lead to discrimination or disadvantage to specific groups of people
• set out a timeline on all the important steps in the process.

The GP surgery will also need to engage with local stakeholders to gather the views of those who will be affected, such as:

• registered patients
• the local Healthwatch and other local community groups
• elected officials, local councils and any relevant committees such as Health and Wellbeing Committee
• other local GP surgeries
• patient representative groups
• other local allied health care professional organisations
• Essex Local Medical Committee

It’s important that everyone impacted by the proposals has the opportunity to share their views, so the GP surgery will need to demonstrate that it gave plenty of time and opportunity for people to get involved, using a range of different methods. Some of the ways registered patients will be able to share their thoughts and stay informed include online and paper surveys, in-person events, emails and text messaging.

Once the GP surgery has put together its case and gathered all the feedback from patients, it will need to submit a formal application to NHS Mid and South Essex. Our Primary Care Commissioning Committee will then consider the application before making a recommendation to our ICB Board. The GP surgery will only be able to close or move location if it is approved by us. We understand how important GP services are to local communities and will closely consider the views of registered patients before making any final decisions.

There will be many factors that we will need to consider before we can make a final decision. Some examples of these will include:

• do proposals affect our wider plans and ambitions for GP services locally?
• how will services be impacted by any changes?
• is there pressure on GP services locally?
• what impact will there be on patients’ health and on health inequalities?
• what is the registered list size and demographics locally?
• are there alternative services nearby?
• is the surgery a dispensing surgery and will changes affect people’s ability to get medication?
• patient feedback: what do people think about the proposals?
• could there be an impact on access to other NHS services?
• will it be harder for patients to see a GP or other health professional?
• is there good public transport links?

In the event that a GP practice is considering changes to how they operate, more information should be made available on their website and within the practice.

We understand that the closing or moving of a GP surgery can be very concerning and may cause anxiety for patients about how they will see a GP or health professional in the future. Our priority in these circumstances will always be to make sure that everyone can continue to see a GP or other health professional when they need it.

No patient should be left without a surgery, and we will do our best to make sure the change is as smooth and easy as possible.

Patient choice gives you the right to choose a GP practice to register with in your area.  You can visit the NHS website’s page on GP services to find lots of useful information about how to find and register with a local GP and how to book an appointment.