Digital sign-ups soar in GP surgeries

Millions of patients across England have registered with a new GP online, following a digital upgrade by the NHS aimed at streamlining access to primary care.

According to NHS England, more than 6,150 GP practices now support online registration through the NHS App, NHS.uk, or surgery websites - more than double the number from a year ago. This means that 98.4% of GP practices nationwide are now equipped for digital sign-ups.

Since the service launched in November 2022, over 3.8 million patients have used it to register or switch practices, with nearly 1.7 million doing so in the last six months.

The move is part of a broader effort to make NHS services more accessible and efficient. NHS England says the digital system not only improves convenience for patients but also frees up valuable time for GP staff. In 2024 alone, the NHS App facilitated 4.6 million repeat prescriptions and more than 6 million test result views each month - saving an estimated 2.6 million hours of admin time.

“It is fantastic that almost all GP practices are now offering online registration, making it easier than ever before for people to sign up to a GP or to switch at a time which is convenient for them,” said Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s National Director of Primary Care and Community Services.

Patients can complete the registration process in minutes without needing to show ID, provide proof of address, or know their NHS number. The platform also offers translation tools to assist users whose first language isn’t English.

The digital shift is being welcomed as a key step in modernising the NHS. “Whether you’re signing up with a GP for the first time or switching to a practice that better suits your needs, it is now easy to do at any time, any place, in just a few clicks,” said Health Minister Karin Smyth. “This is all about putting patients first.”

Ming Tang, Interim Chief Digital and Information Officer at NHS England, added that the service is a model for the future. “Online GP registration, as well as innovations like the NHS App, are making life easier for millions of patients while also saving huge amounts of valuable time for GP staff,” she said.

Paper forms for registration remain available at local GP practices for those who prefer a traditional method, but NHS England is encouraging people to try the digital option - especially over busy periods like the Easter bank holiday weekend.