An example of how advocacy makes a difference: registering a child with an NHS GP
We have received a large number of cases from dual-serving families highlighting challenges with registering children at an NHS GP surgery for parents registered with Defence Medical Services. Additionally, challenges using the NHS app to book appointments or order medication for your children for parents registered with DMS have been raised.
We recognise the disadvantage this poses for RAF personnel who report having to spend lengthy waiting times booking appointments via telephone, or in some cases having to take time to travel to the GP surgery to book appointments.
Following us raising these concerns with the NHS Armed Forces Commissioning Team, guidance has been produced for those experiencing registration issues. A solution is being worked on for dual serving parents wishing to use the NHS App to book appointments and request medication – details below.
Registering a child with an NHS GP
There are safeguarding aspects to registering children without a parent, but it is not a reason for refusal.
Ideally, an adult with parental responsibility should normally be registered at the practice with the child where the ID of the adult can be matched to the child’s birth certificate details.
However, one of the exemptions to this is where both parents serve in the armed forces and are registered with an armed forces GP.
Further information is available in the Primary Medical Services Policy and Guidance Manual Part B Chapter 4.12 – Registering Children.
In all cases (adult and children), a GP practice may only refuse to register individuals where it has reasonable grounds for doing so. Reasonable grounds may include, in the case of an application for permanent registration, that the patient does not live, or does not intend to live in, the contractor’s practice area or the outer boundary area. A GP surgery can also refuse to register a new patient because their practice is not taking on any new patients.
The ICB can also assign a new patient to a practice whose list is open.
Using the NHS App
The NHS APP is open to those who are:
- Aged 13 or over.
- Registered with an NHS GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man.
As Armed Forces Serving personnel are registered at a surgery provided by Defence Medical Service (DMS) they cannot currently use the NHS APP.
Parents, family members or carers can manage services for their children by switching their profile. This is also referred to as having a linked profile or having proxy access. This is set up by the GP Surgery where the parent and child are registered and therefore is not currently available to Serving Personnel as there are technical limitations regarding the connectivity / interaction with DMICP / MedIS.
NHS England continue to work with DMICP/Med IS digital programme to improve connectivity between the digital systems.
