Registering with Chertsey Health Centre
Chertsey Health Centre Patient Registration Policy
Eligibility to Register
Patients may apply to register permanently with the Practice if they live within the Practice catchment area. The catchment boundary can be checked on the Practice website. Residence within the catchment area is the only eligibility requirement for permanent registration.
Identification and Proof of Address
The Practice may request photographic identification and/or proof of address to:
-
assist in confirming patient details
-
help obtain previous medical records
-
confirm catchment area residence where applicable
However:
-
Lack of ID, proof of address, proof of immigration status, or an NHS number will never be a reason to refuse registration
-
Patients are not required to provide these documents to register
This applies to all patients, including migrants, asylum seekers, and those without fixed addresses.
Right to Register
Everyone in England has the right to apply to register with a GP.
Practice staff must not assess immigration status and must not refuse registration on this basis.
Patients with No Fixed Address
Patients who are homeless or have no fixed abode will be:
-
registered using Chertsey Health Centre’s address (c/o the Practice)
-
asked to provide a contact telephone number where possible
First-Time NHS Registrations
If a patient has never registered with the NHS before, the Practice may ask for:
-
date of entry to the UK
This information is required for administrative registration purposes only and must not be used to determine eligibility for GP registration or care.
Refusal of Registration
The Practice may only refuse an application to register on reasonable, non-discriminatory grounds, including:
-
the Practice list is closed to new patients
-
the patient lives outside the Practice boundary
-
the patient has previously been removed from the Practice list
Refusals must never be based on lack of ID, address, immigration status, or medical condition.
Where a registration is refused:
-
the reason must be recorded
-
the patient must be informed in writing
Temporary Registration
Eligibility for Temporary Registration
Patients may register as temporary residents if they are staying within the Practice catchment area and meet one of the following criteria:
-
they are away from their usual home
-
they are not currently registered with a GP but are staying in the area
-
they need short-term treatment while temporarily resident
Temporary registration is available for patients staying longer than 24 hours and up to 3 months. The patient will remain registered with their usual GP, if they have one.
Duration and Type of Care
-
Temporary residents can be registered for up to 3 months
-
If care is required for more than 14 days, the patient should be registered either:
-
as a temporary resident, or
-
as a permanent patient (if eligible)
Immediately Necessary Treatment
If a patient is:
-
not registered elsewhere
-
staying in the Practice area
-
or requires urgent medical attention
The Practice has a contractual duty to provide immediately necessary or emergency treatment free of charge for up to 14 days, regardless of registration status. This is a clinical decision, not an administrative one.
Overseas Visitors
-
Overseas visitors may be registered as temporary residents
-
GP primary care services are not chargeable, regardless of immigration status
Important clarification for accuracy:
Overseas patients should not automatically be labelled as “immediately necessary treatment”. Immediate and necessary treatment applies based on clinical urgency, not nationality.
Overseas visitors may:
-
receive full primary care services
-
be registered temporarily (if staying less than 3 months)
-
require an NHS number for secondary care referrals, which may limit referral options
Further Patient Information
Patients seeking more information on GP registration can visit:
NHS – How to register with a GP surgery
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/