Vulnerable patients denied registration at GP practices

Three-quarters of GP practices surveyed in London asked to see documentation before they would register patients, according to a recent survey. Authors of the study published in the British Journal of General Practice said that such a requirement disproportionately affects marginalised populations such as the homeless, travellers and recent arrivals in the UK, who may have trouble providing such documentation. The most common obstacle to registration with a GP practice in the UK is difficulty presenting proof of address. However, NHS guidelines stipulate that inability to provide ID or proof of address is not reasonable grounds to refuse registration. Practices may ask patients