Do private GPs have registered patients in the same way NHS GPs do?

When considering the transition from being an NHS GP to working in private practice, you might wonder how patient registration works in a private setting, and how it compares to the NHS system.

**Do Private GPs Have Registered Patients?**

Unlike in the NHS, patients don't "register" with private GPs in the same formal sense. In the NHS, registration brings about various responsibilities for the GP, such as managing the patient's overall wellbeing, coordinating care amongst different health providers, and maintaining a central health record that is accessible via the NHS app.

Private GPs operate differently. While patients may "register" with a private practice, this registration is more about gathering medical history and current health data to provide effective and personal care. Private practices might use this process to ensure all medications and relevant medical history are up-to-date, utilising systems like EMIS Web to maintain thorough and safe records.

**Continuity with NHS Services**

Even if a patient predominantly opts for seeing a private GP, their NHS GP remains their primary registered doctor for community care roles, vaccination delivery, and public health initiatives. The NHS GP holds what is considered the central patient record.

Therefore, private GPs do not replace the NHS GPs; rather, they provide supplementary services. Practices like having access to systems such as Hero Health can be beneficial here, offering features like efficient billing and scheduled patient communications, ultimately enhancing the personal nature of private practice.

**What Does Registration with a Private Practice Entail?**

Some private practices may require a patient to "register", which is usually an internal process to ensure all background information is up-to-date. However, this doesn't have the weight or permanence of NHS registration. It's more about making sure that all relevant information is available and correct to provide optimal care.

It's worth noting that although a patient registers with a private GP, the NHS still recognises their original NHS GP as the primary custodian of their central health record and main point of contact for NHS-related healthcare services.