Updates

More than 425 000 patients have used a new national online service to register with a GP in its first year, according to NHS England. It says the Register with a GP Surgery service, which is managed by NHS England, means NHS patients have been benefiting from easier and more convenient access to GP registration since it was launched in August 2022.

Many GP surgeries still use paper forms, requiring patients to visit surgeries to collect paperwork. The new online service has been shown to save GP surgery staff up to 15 minutes per registration by helping to reduce paperwork and admin time.

The service invites patients to go online at any time of day to find a local GP and register without having to visit in person, making the process easier for both patients and GP surgeries. Almost half (48%) of all patients using the online tool registered outside normal GP surgery opening hours, taking full advantage of improved accessibility and convenience. Two thirds (68%) of patients using the service over the past 12 months were switching GPs.