As part of the ongoing efforts to streamline GP registration processes across England, the traditional GMS1 form will soon be phased out. By 31 October 2024, all GP practices in England must adopt the new ‘Register for a GP surgery’ online service. This free digital service simplifies patient registration and aims to reduce the administrative burden on GP surgeries.
What’s Changing?
The GMS1 form, which has been the standard for registering patients, will no longer be available to order from the PCSE (Primary Care Support England) website after 31 October 2024. In its place, a new paper registration form (PRF1) will be introduced for patients who are unable to use the online service. The PRF1 is designed to align closely with the new online registration format, providing a consistent experience across digital and paper-based registrations.
For practices that haven’t yet enrolled in the online registration service, now is the time to get onboard. Information about how to sign up is available on the Register with a GP surgery service webpage.
Why This Matters
For many practices, the shift to an entirely digital registration service marks a significant change in how patient information is collected and managed. By moving registrations online, practices can benefit from:
•Reduced Administrative Burden: Online registration speeds up the process, making it more efficient for both staff and patients.
•Improved Accuracy: Digital forms can help reduce errors in patient data, which may occur more frequently with handwritten forms.
•Better Access: The online registration process is available 24/7, making it more convenient for patients who may not be able to visit the practice during working hours.
Preparing for the Change
GP practices that have not yet enrolled in the Register for a GP surgery online service are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Transitioning to the new system early will allow for smoother adaptation and give practice staff the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new process.
Additionally, while most patients will likely prefer the ease of online registration, practices should ensure that they have copies of the new PRF1 forms available for those patients who are unable to register digitally.
Next Steps
•Ensure Your Practice is Enrolled: If your practice is not yet using the Register for a GP surgery service, you’ll need to take action to ensure compliance before the October 2024 deadline.
•Update Your Process: Review your current registration processes and prepare your team for the transition to digital. Make sure staff are trained and know how to guide patients through the new process.
•Prepare for PRF1: While most registrations will be online, ensure that your practice has access to the PRF1 paper form for patients who can’t use the digital service.
This change represents a significant step forward in modernising patient registration in GP surgeries, offering both efficiency and accessibility for patients and practices alike.
For more details on how to enrol in the new registration service, visit the Register with a GP surgery service webpage.
Don’t forget this is a great opportunity to consider automating this process with automated services such as HealthTech1. For a free trial and 100 free registrations follow this link: ht1.epcx.co.uk