Working with people who are homeless: a guide for receptionists and practice managers

Primary Care is the first point of contact for most people with a health problem, but many people who are homeless struggle to access a GP. Pathway, funded by the Healthy London Partnership, has produced a training video, slides and quiz, to introduce GP Receptionists to current regulatory guidance around homelessness.

Pathway has also worked with receptionists and the Care Quality Commission to produce simple best practice guidelines for working with patients who are homeless

The Regulatory Framework

NHS England Patient Registration Guidance states that:

• Anybody in England may register and consult with a GP without charge.
• This includes asylum seekers and refugees, overseas visitors, students, people on work visas and those who are homeless, overseas visitors, whether lawfully in the UK or not.
• There is no regulatory requirement to prove identity, address or immigration status to register at a GP surgery.