Registering at a GP

[moi4535]

Hi has anyone registered recently at a GP practice, is it possible for wife to hand in forms on behalf of hubby. Myself and my children registered there for few years, but hubby hadn't thankfully he dosen't get ill, but he needs to see GP so tried handing forms in today only to be told he has to do it himself as they need to make sure its him. Is this a new thing, as when I handed the childrens forms in they didn't have to be present. Wasn't sure if she was fobbing me off as her initial statement was I cannot accept the form without the NHS number - when I told her I handed mine in without, she then went on to say well he needs to be here in person so I can verify its him.

I work in a GP surgery and have never heard of this before. We take the forms off whoever hands them in. Can only imagine the chaos if we had to have each person individually hand in their form.

We might ask to see proof of ID & address but anyone can hand in the forms.

We need to produce, in person, photographic id, a bill in our name, a bank statement less than 3 months old.

We would ask that adults provide proof of living at the address they have used to register, as we don't register patients who live out of area. We certainly wouldn't ask each household member to come into the surgery, no.

Thank you ladies, I did think she was fobbing me off. As she asked for me to provide NHS no and I told her I didnt need to. I registered the kids albeit few years earlier and they didn't need to be physically present, it just didn't make sense as someone could be too I'll to go to register themselves. I will be complaining.

Ask to speak to the practice Manager. And, don't be put off!

Though I'll wait till he gets registered.

Seriously, is it really worth complaining about? They might have their own reasons for that requirement, i.e past history/experience of people having rellies from the the next practice area suddenly 'move in with them' when their own surgery happens to be in crisis, people with some sort of medication seeking issues or child safeguarding best practice (we'd usually require both parents in the household to be registered along with the children).
Most surgeries are open 8-6:30ish - would it really be that much of a hardship for him to pop in? If he wants to sign up for online services he'd have to do that in person anyway.
If you make a formal complaint over something so trivial, you really will make yourselves look like a right pair of twats to be honest. I'm surprised you didn't get everyone in the family registered when you moved into the area.

GP surgeries can ask for ID/ proof of address to register but it needs to be a policy where they ask it of everybody, not ad hoc.

Check their website for their registration policy. It may have changed since you register

I have not heard of everybody needing to come in person in a family myself, but if asking for photo ID they may want to see him to check it is his.

If their policy doesn't state he needs to come in person then I would tell the receptionist this.