Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made since the 2021 Friends, Families and Travellers mystery shopping exercise in ensuring that nomadic Gypsy and Traveller patients are not wrongfully refused access to GP services.

We are very clear that a general practice (GP) cannot refuse registering a patient based on the race or ethnicity, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability, or medical conditions of the patient. This encompasses patients from gypsy, Roma, and traveller communities.

GPs have a responsibility to register people who are homeless, have no fixed abode, or are legitimately unable to provide documentation as proof of living within the catchment area. An individual should not be refused registration or appointments because they do not have a proof of address or personal identification. It is not considered a reasonable ground to refuse registration.

The General Medical Services Regulations were updated to require practices to use a standardised registration system that doesn't require identification or an address. Additionally, the regulations now require GPs to provide an online consultation tool, allowing patients to manage appointments, and view and request repeat prescriptions digitally. This service also simplifies electronic registration with GP surgeries. Digital registration is designed to accommodate diverse patient needs, enhancing accessibility, and making it easier for patients to register without visiting the practice in person.

However, to ensure that patients aren’t digitally excluded, the GP contract is clear that patients should always have the option of visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. Practice receptions should be open so that patients without access to telephone or online services are in no way disadvantaged.