Notify a patient service

The patient will receive a notification whether they choose to register online using the Register with a GP surgery service, use a third-party service, or use a paper registration form

When a GP practice accepts a new registration, a notification will be sent to the patient to let them know their registration has been successful. 

Notifications will be sent to patients through the NHS App in the first instance. Using the app means people are in the right place to use a range of NHS digital services to manage their health and care. It also helps them find important messages quickly and securely. 

If a patient does not have the app, they will be contacted by email or text message instead. 

Digital communications are fast, save money and help reduce our environmental impact. However, if a patient is not able to, or does not wish to receive digital notifications, they will continue to receive information by post.  

All notifications will include an option to contact the central team if they believe a message they receive is incorrect. 

The service aims to reduce the admin burden on GP practices and keep patients up to date about the progress of their registration by 

• reducing the number of calls or visits from patients to confirm their registration status 
• empowering patients to manage their health and care using online services 
• offering a trusted and secure alternative to text messages or letters     
• improving the user experience 

As notifications are sent through NHS England centrally, you may wish to make changes to any confirmation messages that you currently send to patients to avoid duplication. 

If you reject a patient registration, please contact the patient in the normal way to let them know.

 All registrations, whether they are from paper or digital forms, will receive a notification except for the following groups: 

• first registrations - patients registering with a GP for the very first time will continue to get a paper letter from Primary Care Support England (PCSE). We expect to include first time registrations in a future phase of the service

• bulk practice transfers – patients are often sent a custom communication based on the circumstances of the transfer  

• restricted or S-flagged patients

• armed services registrations

If you want to offer this service to your patients or you are currently offering it and you want to turn it off, you should contact: [email protected].

In the future the service has the potential to expand to notify patients when any changes are made to their details in the Personal Demographics Service. 

For more information or to test the service, please contact [email protected].