Are patients allowed to nominate a private GP as their registered GP?
Why "registered GP" is an NHS status, what patients lose if they drop NHS registration, and what private "registration" or membership really means.
The short answer
No, because being someone’s registered GP is an NHS status that only an NHS GP practice can hold, so a patient cannot nominate a purely private GP instead. Patients can see a private GP as often as they like while staying registered with an NHS practice, and they should, because NHS registration is how they get NHS prescriptions, referrals, screening invitations and vaccinations. A private practice can keep its own list of patients or members, but that list has no status in the NHS.
Key points
- Registered GP status exists only in the NHS, through a GP practice that holds an NHS contract.
- Patients can use a private GP and stay registered with an NHS practice at the same time.
- NHS registration links a patient to NHS screening invitations, vaccinations, NHS prescriptions and referrals.
- Private registration or membership is an internal list. It creates no NHS responsibilities for you or the NHS.
- If a patient has no NHS GP, take extra care before prescribing and encourage them to register.
Why the answer is no
Registration is how the NHS allocates responsibility for a person’s primary care. A patient registers with an NHS GP practice, which is paid under its NHS contract to look after everyone on its list. Their details, including which practice they are registered with, are held nationally, so hospitals, screening programmes and other services know where to send information.
A purely private GP has no NHS contract, so there is nothing for the patient to register with. The patient can choose to see you for most of their care, but in NHS terms their registered GP is still their NHS practice, or nobody if they are not registered.
There is one situation where the lines blur. Some GP organisations run an NHS practice and a separate private service. A patient registered with that NHS practice is an NHS patient of that practice, and the practice cannot charge them for treatment. See the restrictions on seeing private patients in NHS practices.
What NHS registration gives the patient
NHS England uses GP registration data for, among other things, sending the lists of patients eligible for screening to GPs, running cervical screening call and recall, and supporting childhood immunisations. Registration also keeps the patient’s details on the Personal Demographics Service up to date, so that hospitals, screening programmes and child health systems can find their current GP.
For the patient, that means registration is the route to:
- invitations to NHS screening programmes
- NHS vaccination programmes delivered through general practice
- NHS prescriptions, including repeat prescriptions
- NHS referrals and the results that come back from them
- a single record that follows them through the NHS
NHS England’s records management code describes the GP record as the primary record of care, which other services are expected to update when they see the patient.
Patients can use both
Choosing private care does not mean giving up NHS care. The BMA notes that patients who choose to be treated privately are entitled to the same NHS services as any other patient with the same clinical need. Most private GP patients keep their NHS registration and use you for faster access, longer appointments or a particular service. Some use a private GP for one problem and their NHS practice for everything else, and that is entirely normal.
That is also why private GPs should, with consent, send a summary of each consultation to the NHS GP. See sending consultation notes back to the NHS GP.
What private "registration" means
Many private services ask new patients to register. This is an internal process, usually:
- collecting identity and contact details
- taking a medical history, medicines and allergies
- recording the patient’s NHS GP practice and NHS number
- agreeing terms, fees and consent to share information
Some services offer membership, with a set number of appointments or priority access for an annual fee. That is a contract between you and the patient. It can create real obligations, such as response times you have promised, but it has no status in the NHS and does not make you responsible for NHS screening, vaccination or referrals. Be careful with wording such as "your GP" in marketing, so patients do not think they can leave their NHS practice without consequences.
Patients with no NHS GP
Some private patients are not registered with any NHS practice. They may be visitors from abroad, people who have recently moved, or people who have let their registration lapse. For these patients:
- there is no NHS GP to share your notes with, so give them a copy
- they will not receive NHS screening invitations
- you have less information when prescribing, so take extra care. GMC prescribing guidance asks you to explain the risks where a patient has no GP to share information with.
Encourage patients living in England to register. NHS guidance says anyone in England can register with a GP practice, and people do not need ID, proof of address or immigration status to do so. Visitors can register as temporary patients for up to 3 months.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Registration works the same way in principle across the UK. Only an NHS GP practice can be a patient’s registered GP, but the registration processes and screening programmes are run separately in each nation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a patient leave their NHS practice and use only a private GP?
They can, but they would lose NHS screening invitations, NHS prescriptions and the NHS GP’s role in referrals and results. Most patients are better off staying registered.
Is a private GP responsible for a patient’s vaccinations and screening?
Not for NHS programmes, which run through NHS registration. You are responsible for anything you agree to provide, such as private travel vaccines or health checks.
Can a patient be registered with two NHS practices at once?
No. A patient has one NHS registration at a time, although visitors can register temporarily elsewhere for up to 3 months.
Should my private practice keep a list of registered patients?
Yes, as an internal list with each patient’s details, NHS GP and consent choices. Just do not describe it in a way that suggests it replaces NHS registration.
