GP registration for people without a fixed address

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch Sutton conducted a mystery shopping exercise with 22 GP surgeries to look into the registering to GPs without a fixed address. 

The report found that the majority of GPs report that they are able to register someone without a fixed address. Three GPs refused to register someone without a fixed address.

A number of recommendations were made to the CCGs and GP surgeries. These include that remind GPs of the right to access GPs for homeless people; to invesitgate discussions about access issues; and to improve information available to homeless patients.

 

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Report 
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General details

Report title 
GP registration for people without a fixed address
Local Healthwatch 
Healthwatch Sutton
Date of publication 
Monday, 24 February, 2020
Date evidence capture began 
Tuesday, 1 October, 2019
Date evidence capture finished 
Tuesday, 1 October, 2019
Type of report 
Enter and view
Key themes 
Access
Information providing
Staff attitudes
Staff training
Healthwatch reference number 
Rep-5250

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken at the request of another organisation? 
No
Primary research method used 
Structured interview
How was the information collected? 
Telephone
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced? 
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Primary care services 
GP practice

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views 
22
Does the information include public's views? 
No
Does the information include carer's, friend's or relative's views? 
No
Does the information include staff's views? 
Yes
Types of health and care professionals engaged 
Receptionists
Does the information include other people's views? 
No
What was the main sentiment of the people who shared their views? 
Mixed

Outcomes and impact

Were recommendations made by local Healthwatch in the report? 
Yes
Does the information contain a response from a provider? 
No
Is there evidence of impact in the report? 
No
Is there evidence of impact external to the report? 
No

Network Impact
Relationships that exist locally, regionally, nationally have benefited from the work undertaken in the report
 
Implied Impact
Where it is implied that change may occur in the future as a result of Healthwatch work. This can be implied in a provider  response, press release or other source. Implied impact can become tangible impact once change has occurred.
 
Tangible Impact
There is evidence of change that can be directly attributed to Healthwatch work undertaken in the report.