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Original poster

No GP registration?

33 replies

Yetanothernamechange2020 · 30/12/2020 19:35

I wondered whether anyone involved in planning for the vaccine roll out has any info on whether it will be possible to get a vaccine if you are not registered with a GP?

I guess this may become more of an issue when mass vaccination starts for the healthy under 50s- surely there will be some sort of booking system which won't be able to cross-check whether the person booking is registered with a GP?

OP posts:
WankPuffins · 30/12/2020 19:39

I have no idea.

Fwiw, I am not registered with an nhs GP, nor are my children. We see a private GP/have private healthcare which has always included a video consultation service or just kicks to straight to consultant.

(I was registered, twice. But both times the practice managers said they didn't want to be used as a record holding service if I wasn't going to use them and took me and then my eldest when he was a baby off their books).

FrankiesKnuckle · 30/12/2020 19:40

I assume you would have to be registered with a GP yes, unless you pay for a private vaccine.

Just curious, but why wouldn't you be registered with a GP?

Indecisive12 · 30/12/2020 19:40

It’s a tiny percentage of the population that aren’t registered with a GP and no there won’t be a way of offering them a vaccine. There will be no one accountable for them but the person themselves who should register with a GP

Char2015 · 30/12/2020 19:44

You need a NHS number to get the vaccine.

borageforager · 30/12/2020 19:48

What system could the NHS use to vaccinate people if not GP registrations? It catches almost all of the population, I can’t think of another system really.

DecemberStar · 30/12/2020 19:48

NHS number isn't dependent on being registered with a GP, but dependent upon being born!

WankPuffins · 30/12/2020 19:50

@FrankiesKnuckle

I assume you would have to be registered with a GP yes, unless you pay for a private vaccine.

Just curious, but why wouldn't you be registered with a GP?

I was until two kicked me out when they realised I was using private services instead for ten plus years and had the audacity to give them the notes/reports for my child's records!

I get a much better service privately as well. For us there would be no benefit in being registered.

Obviously, we have nhs numbers, we've used A&E in an emergency and I've had my babies in NHS hospitals. I'm just not registered with a GP that I'd never use.

Char2015 · 30/12/2020 19:52

As long as you have a NHS number you will be able to get the vaccine.

Splodgetastic · 30/12/2020 19:52

@WankPuffins I feel your pain. You can’t get any appointments and end up going private... you can ask to be allocated GP from the health authority or you could do back in the day.

Original poster
Yetanothernamechange2020 · 30/12/2020 19:54

@FrankiesKnuckle

I assume you would have to be registered with a GP yes, unless you pay for a private vaccine.

Just curious, but why wouldn't you be registered with a GP?

I was registered then moved out of the area many years ago- so got deregistered from that place I assume. Was just thinking there will surely be some online booking system when the mass vax sites open which you can book without this info i.e. just with NHS number as ID? I guess I should register with a new GP!!!
OP posts:
yankeedoodledandee · 30/12/2020 19:58

Your GP won't have de registered you, they don't get notified when people move house. If you haven't registered with a new GP you will still be registered at your old one. Go register locally.

yankeedoodledandee · 30/12/2020 19:59

Was just thinking there will surely be some online booking system when the mass vax sites open which you can book

I would imagine it will be given through the GP for many groups. That's how it's going already for the overs

HibernatingTill2030 · 30/12/2020 20:00

I suppose you could contact your local CCG and explain, and they may be able to register you somewhere as a temporary patient to get it.
Don't think it's going to be available privately for a while.

AnaisNun · 30/12/2020 20:05

I used to be “of no fixed abode” (lived an itinerant lifestyle) and GP/health services, in law, SHOULD be available to anyone, anywhere with an NHS number, including registration as a temporary patient.

Should is the operative word though. Had terrible trouble sometimes. Some GP surgeries were great, others ... not so much. And not worth complaining etc as I’d generally moved on by the time it would be dealt with.

Anyway- I’d just register with a local GP in your case. You’ve got time.

teenagetantrums · 30/12/2020 20:08

I had my first doses as a care worker. We had to be registered at gp to get it. No idea what would happen if you are not.
To be honest l registered when l moved here 3 years ago never needed to see the go though.

WhatTiggersDoBest · 30/12/2020 20:11

@AnaisNun

I used to be “of no fixed abode” (lived an itinerant lifestyle) and GP/health services, in law, SHOULD be available to anyone, anywhere with an NHS number, including registration as a temporary patient.

Should is the operative word though. Had terrible trouble sometimes. Some GP surgeries were great, others ... not so much. And not worth complaining etc as I’d generally moved on by the time it would be dealt with.

Anyway- I’d just register with a local GP in your case. You’ve got time.

This was my experience, too. Temporary registration is a joke. OP if you're in a vulnerable group no one will know to give you an appointment unless you register with a GP. I highly doubt people will be able to faff with choosing appointments for vaccinations, for the flu one this year I just got texted an appointment and told to show up at a community hall and queue for a 4 hour slot.
FrankiesKnuckle · 30/12/2020 22:20

From my perspective as a paramedic, unregistered patients are a bit of a ball ache when it comes to incidences of a person not requiring transportation or treatment in the ED but would benefit from an OOH or other referral, MH or social services for example.
If you are not registered it's really a brick wall scenario - no one (HCPs) will touch you or take responsibility for you. So we end up having to convey to an ED (if not suitable for self care and worsening advice only)

I've attended many 'private healthcare' patients who seem utterly perplexed to learn that we can't convey to X private hospital and they are to end up with the plebeians in their local ED.
(Their word not mine!)

Those sorts of calls seem like such a long time ago now....

Tellmelies65 · 30/12/2020 22:44

I would like smear tests etc it’s all done via the gp. It’s hard to access anything when not registered with a gp really they are the gate keeper to most health care services.

WankPuffins · 31/12/2020 03:18

@FrankiesKnuckle

From my perspective as a paramedic, unregistered patients are a bit of a ball ache when it comes to incidences of a person not requiring transportation or treatment in the ED but would benefit from an OOH or other referral, MH or social services for example. If you are not registered it's really a brick wall scenario - no one (HCPs) will touch you or take responsibility for you. So we end up having to convey to an ED (if not suitable for self care and worsening advice only)

I've attended many 'private healthcare' patients who seem utterly perplexed to learn that we can't convey to X private hospital and they are to end up with the plebeians in their local ED.
(Their word not mine!)

Those sorts of calls seem like such a long time ago now....

I've been taken to hospital by ambulance twice in my life unregistered and never had a problem!

If I need ooh help, I can get an appointment within 20 mins though the company my health insurance use for a video call or I would use A&E in an emergency like every one else does.

It's really never been an issue. I've had lots of extra nhs care in pregnancy for example.

I'd never expect to be taken to a private hospital by ambulance!

WankPuffins · 31/12/2020 03:22

@Tellmelies65

I would like smear tests etc it’s all done via the gp. It’s hard to access anything when not registered with a gp really they are the gate keeper to most health care services.
But that was one of the reasons I went private in the first place 20 odd years ago. Because of the GPs being gate keepers, I would honestly be dead now from something the nhs deemed me "too young" to have. They argued it to the death and wanted to refer me to mental health services instead! If i handbrake seen a consultant privately when I did, my out come would not have been good.

My gate keepers are now my insurance company who will refer me immediately or the private GPs I'm registered with who is excellent.

WankPuffins · 31/12/2020 03:27

Anyway, sorry to derail. I'd have no problem being registered with an nhs gp and just not use them if they'd have me. But the times I've done that they've really not liked it and deregistered me when I've tried to add my or my children's private records and got really shirty with me for not using their services instead.

lovelemoncurd · 31/12/2020 03:32

So what do people do about cervical screening when you are not registered with a gp?

WankPuffins · 31/12/2020 03:35

@lovelemoncurd the nurse at my private practice does it for me. I self pay.

WankPuffins · 31/12/2020 03:37

Or sexual health clinics do them (but you have to pay now I think).

BlairCorneliaWaldorf · 31/12/2020 03:48

@yankeedoodledandee

Your GP won't have de registered you, they don't get notified when people move house. If you haven't registered with a new GP you will still be registered at your old one. Go register locally.
This is not true. Some periodically write to patients they haven’t seen in a while and if you don’t respond, because you have moved for example and therefore don’t receive it, they will deregister you.