Register with our practice

We welcome new patients who live within our practice area to register with us. To check you reside within our catchment area please scroll to the map below, where you can enter your postcode.

Anyone in England can register with a GP surgery. It’s free to register. You do not need proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number.

GP surgeries are usually the first contact if you have a health problem. They can treat many conditions and give health advice. They can also refer you to other NHS services. You do not need proof of ID to register with a GP, but it might help if you have one or more of the following:

If you’re homeless, you can give a temporary address, such as a friend’s address, a day centre or the GP surgery address.

Please note: You will be asked to upload the ID proof in case you request online access to medical records.

What are the acceptable examples of Photo ID and Proof of Address?

Acceptable photo ID:

Current passport or identity card
Resident permit issued by Home office
Current UK photocard driving licence
HM Forces identity card
Police photographic ID card
University or college photo smartcard
NHS smart card

Acceptable proof of address:

Recent utility bill (within 3 months of the current date)
Local authority tax bill ( valid for current year)
Bank or building society statement ( within 3 months of a current date)
Current tenancy agreement
Court order (within 12 months of the current date)
UCAS letter (within 12 months of the current date)

What if I live outside the Practice area?

Outer practice boundaries are an expansion of a GP’s original catchment area. Whereas in the past you may have had to register with a new GP after moving a few streets further down the road, these outer boundaries can be a way to stay registered with your old GP.

You’ll still have to speak with your GP first and, if appropriate, the GP may keep you on the register. Please talk to your GP for more information on this.

Catchment Area (Practice Boundary)

Named GP

All patients registered at any GP practice are required to be allocated a named accountable GP.

What does ‘accountable’ mean?

The named accountable GP is responsible for the co-ordination of all appropriate services required under the contract and ensure they are delivered to each patient where required. However, this does not mean that they will be the only GP or clinician who will provide care to that patient. These responsibilities will be carried out within the opening hours of the Practice and do not change the way you currently access care outside these hours.

Will GP practices write to patients to inform them of their named GP?

At Avonside Health Centre, we will inform you via a new patient letter who your named GP is, however you are welcome to speak to any of the GPs at the Practice. Your new patient letter will be sent to you via email, text or post depending on your communication consent preferences.

Can patients choose their own named GP?

The Practice will allocate a named GP for each patient. However, if a patient requests a different named GP, reasonable effort will be made to accommodate their preference.

Do patients have to see their named GP when they book an appointment?

No, having a named accountable GP does not prevent you seeing any other doctor in the practice. Your named GP will not be available at all times and if your needs are urgent, you may need to discuss them with an alternative doctor. All your records are available to every doctor in the surgery.