There is no charge to register with a GP in England.

Once you are registered, there is also no charge to see your GP. If your GP decides that you need medicine, you will receive a prescription.

Getting Medicine

To get your medicine, take the prescription to any pharmacy. If you have been issued with a HC2 certificate, you will not be charged for the medicine. You should show this to the staff at the pharmacy and also tick the correct box on your prescription. If you haven’t been provided with an HC2 certificate already, you will need to fill in an HC1 certificate form to apply for an HC2.

If you want more information about the HC2 certificate you can contact Help with the Health Cost on 0300 330 1343. If you need to see a GP, but have difficulty speaking or understanding English, tell the staff at the GP surgery. They will be able to arrange an interpreter. You will not be charged for this service.

Before you register, contact the GP surgery to confirm that it covers the address where you are living or staying temporarily. You can register with any GP in your local area as long as they have space for new patients. You can find your local GP surgeries on our Being Healthy Page  You can also get help by:

• Asking friends

• Asking at the library

• Asking local organisations such as schools, mosques, temples, and churches

• Asking a support worker

• Asking your housing case worker

• Looking on the NHS Choices website

To register at GP surgery you can simply:

• Ask to register at the reception of a surgery. You may want to take along the “How to register with a doctor (GP)” leaflet

• Register online using your local surgery’s website

Do I need ID to register?

You do not have to provide ID when registering with a GP, but it is helpful to do so. It is helpful if you can provide at least one of the documents below when registering with your GP:

• Passport

• Birth certificate

• Biometric residence permit

• Travel document

• HC2 certificate

• ARC card

• Utility bill

Help if you are refused registration

Ask the GP receptionist to write the reason why they cannot register you in the box overleaf. If you do not live in the catchment area or the GP already has too many patients, they can refuse to register you. If you are refused registration because you do not have proof of address, identification or because of your immigration status, a volunteer or friend could advocate on your behalf. If the GP practice still refuses to register you, ask a volunteer, friend or caseworker to liaise on your behalf with your NHS England office by sharing the completed form with them.

Making a complaint

• By email: england.contactus@nhs.net  (for the attention of the complaints manager in subject line)

• By post: NHS England, P.O. Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT

• By phone: 0300 311 2233 (Telephone Interpreter Service available)

For further information

You may be able to get help and advice from your local Citizens Advice or your local Healthwatch (Bucks): 0300 068 3000