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Rejecting a registration

Learn about the reasons you can refuse to register a patient.

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The service does not tell patients automatically if their registration has not been successful. If you decide to reject a patient registration, you should tell them in writing within 14 days. You must include the reasons for refusal. Follow your surgery's relevant process.

Reasons to refuse to register a patient

You can refuse to register a patient if they:

  • live outside of the surgery catchment area

  • are already registered with a Special Allocation Scheme (SAS) provider

  • sent an application, but you have agreed with your commissioner to close your patient list

Refusing a registration on the basis of other reasonable grounds

If you choose to refuse a registration on the basis of 'other reasonable grounds', these reasons must not relate to the patient's:

  • race
  • gender
  • social class
  • age 
  • religion
  • sexual orientation
  • appearance
  • disability
  • medical condition

 

If you use Manage patient registrations

You will need to review the patient registration in the portal. If you decide to reject the patient, you must choose a reason why. 

After you have rejected the patient, their details will be displayed so that you can contact them.

You will be able to see their details in the Rejected registrations list for 90 days.

Patients registered through auto registration 

Some patients are blocked from auto registration.

These patients will have:

  • previously been registered at your practice​
  • an immediate or 8-day removal code on their patient record

If the patient meets these criteria, they will not be auto registered at your practice. 

Find out more about auto registration from NHS England.

Last edited: 17 July 2026 1:52 pm