Access to a GP is essential, particularly for prison leavers. However, our frontline staff told us in summer 2022 that they were seeing that the people they support who had recently left prison were facing increasing challenges when trying to register with a General Practitioner
(GP) because they didn’t have the right documentation; an identification document and/or proof of address. This obstruction goes against NHS guidelines, which state that GP practices cannot decline to register someone because they do not have an ID or proof of address.
GP Research
Turned Away
Lack of access to a GP for prison leavers highlights GP registration issues experienced by people who have been in prison, and outlines key recommendations to improve their healthcare access. Its findings are based on new data gathered over a two-month period by our team of ‘mystery shoppers’.