There are now more GP practices than ever across the Midlands offering online registration to patients.

A target was set for 33% of GP practices across the Midlands to offer their patients online registration but now more than 42% offer this service (as of 13 March 2024).

The service launched 18 months ago, allowing patients to go online at any time of day to find and register with a local GP without having to visit the practice in person. This allows flexibility to the patient but has also shown to save GP practice staff admin time.

To register at a practice through the online service patients do not need ID, an NHS number or proof of address. People registering online can also use translation tools alongside the service, making it more accessible for those whose first language is not English.

Nationally GP practices process 6.8 million registrations a year, with many still using paper forms, which often requires the patient having to visit the surgery in person to collect and submit paperwork.

All GP surgeries in England have been asked to offer the Register with a GP surgery service, which consists of an online registration service and an alternative paper form, from October 2024 in the recently published GP contract.

Dr Vijay Rawal, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHSE Midlands, said: “We are really pleased that so many of our GP practices across the Midlands now offer online registration to their patients. As a region we have exceeded our target and looks as though we are well on target to achieve all practices offering online registration from October 2024.

“The fact that we have exceeded our target in the Midlands shows the value of the service for both patients and GP surgeries. The service not only provides a more accessible way for patients to register but also means they now have more choice and flexibility to fit in with people’s busy lifestyles.

“The service has also recently been integrated with the NHS App allowing users even more flexibility and access to information and services via the ever-evolving app.”

Latest figures show almost half (48%) registered outside normal GP surgery opening hours and one in 15 accessed the digital service in another language.

Patients can access the service using individual GP surgery websites, the NHS website’s Find a GP service and the NHS App. They are also encouraged to verify who they are using their NHS login where possible, but this is not essential.

A complementary paper form using the same standardised questions as the digital service is also available from GP practices, ensuring registration is also accessible to those who may not wish to use the digital tool.

Register with a GP surgery is available to all practices across England and is free to use. Registration is quick and easy for patients, with the service automatically checking if they live in the catchment area for their new GP surgery. It also matches patients to their NHS record, further reducing admin for GP surgeries.

To find out more about registering with a GP surgery visit the NHS website.