New Patient Registration

 
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Surgeries

We are proud to be a 'Safe Surgery' for everyone in our community.

If you have particular concerns about registering, perhaps due to being new to the UK or not having a regular address, please note that we are a safe surgery.

Please look at the detailed Safe Surgery guidance below.

Veteran Friendly Armed Forces veteran
friendly accredited
GP practice

We are an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP Practice

This means that, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician who has a specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services. This is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment.

If you are ex-forces, please let your GP know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.

Find out more here

Your Named GP

You will be registering with the practice rather than an individual GP.  However, every patients at has a 'Named GP' responsible for their overall care at the surgery.  Ask us about this when you register.  You can book your appointments with a GP of your choice but we recommend that wherever possible you try to see the same GP for ongoing problems.  If you prefer a particular type of doctor e.g. female for a female patient we will note this and do our best to respect your choice.

To register as a new patient at the practice please follow the numbered process below.

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Why Register at Ball Tree?

9 reasons to register as a patient with us

  1. We have a high level of patient access - we try to make sure that you can see the most appropriate GP or Nurse as soon as possible
  2. We believe in continuity of care and aim to be able to provide appointments to see your own GP within a week, if not sooner
  3. We have urgent appointments mornings and afternoons for our patients to be seen on the day if they are very unwell
  4. We provide an evening clinic once a week with appointments to access Nurse, GP and Health Care Assistant
  5. For patients with ongoing longer-term conditions we offer an annual all-in-one appointment to discuss and monitor all conditions. This saves patients having to make multiple visits.
  6. We have friendly and welcoming reception team
  7. We have a variety of expertise amongst our nurses and GPs which means that at times we can refer in house for second opinions and treatments.
  8. We strive to provide a high quality of health care, using the latest evidence, tailoring our advice and treatment of people as individuals.
  9. We are open to suggestions to improve our service and ready to make positive changes wherever possible.
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Check You Live Within The Boundary Area

Enter your post code to check you live within the practice boundary area

 

If you would like some information about how to register for a GP more information can be found on the NHS website

In particular there is information if you are:

  • Currently homeless
  • Former Armed Services Member
  • Moving to or visiting England
  • Wanting to register temporarily
  • Asylum seeker
  • Part of Gypsy, Roma or Traveller community
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Complete Our Patient Registration Forms

If you live within the boundary area, please complete our new patient registration:

For identification purposes, you will need to upload proof of ID and proof of address at the end of the form. Proof of ID can be a passport or driving licence. Proof of address can be a utility bill (gas, electricity or water) or bank statement – dated within the last 3 months.  If you are unable to provide this standard documentation, please refer to our Safe Surgery information and do please chat with our reception team.

New Patient Registration and Questionnaire (over 16)

New Patient Registration and Questionnaire (under 16)

Accessibility Needs Form

Communication Consent Form

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Book a New Patient Health Check

Once the registration process is complete you will receive a confirmation letter from the registration department.

All new patients are offered a health check with a member of the healthcare team to ensure that any required tests are up to date and that we have an accurate note of any repeat medication you may be taking.

Visit our appointments page to find out how to book your new patient health check

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Safe Surgery Registration

If you have concerns about registering

Accessing the NHS

Everyone living in the UK is entitled to register and consult with a GP. It means we can prevent and treat illness early and create a healthier society for everyone.  We takes steps to ensure everyone in our community can access quality healthcare. 

We are aiming to receive accreditation in the next year in partnership with Doctors of the World UK, to make sure that our practice offers a welcoming space for everyone.

There is more information about how to Access the NHS in the UK

Where people may have particular concerns:

  • We don’t insist on proof of identification
  • We never ask to see a visa or proof of immigration status
  • We do all we can to protect patient information
  • We work with interpreters, if needed 
  • We will work to provide written information in different languages where feasible
  • Posters and information on our website reassure patients our surgery is a safe space
  • Our frontline staff receive training 

Our patient registration policies do not discriminate based on ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, trans status, immigration status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or any other characteristic. Lack of identification or proof of address, immigration status or language do not prevent patient registration at Ball Tree

ID and Proof of Address

There is no regulatory requirement to prove identity, address, immigration status or the provision of an NHS number in order to register. ID and/or proof of address can be requested to assist with the administrative process, but we must apply the same process for requesting documents to all patients requesting registration equally. The majority of patients will not find it difficult to produce documents. However, there will be some patients who do live in the practice area, but are legitimately unable to produce any of the listed documentation. Examples include:
•    People fleeing domestic abuse staying with friends, family or in a shelter
•    People living on a boat, in unstable accommodation or street homeless
•    People staying long term with friends but who aren’t receiving bills
•    People working in exploitative situations whose employer has taken their documents
•    People who have submitted their documents to the Home Office as part of an application
•    People trafficked into the country who had their documents taken on arrival
•    Children born in the UK to parents without documentation.

We will consider reasonable exceptions and will listen to you with sensitivity to your situation. 

As there is no requirement under the regulations to produce identity or residence information, you will be registered on application unless the practice has reasonable grounds to decline. 

Lack of ID/ proof of residence would not be considered reasonable grounds to refuse to register you and access to appointments will not be withheld in these circumstances. 

If you cannot produce any supportive documentation but you tell us that you reside within the practice boundary then practices we will accept the registration.

Where necessary, (e.g. homeless patients), the practice may use the practice address to register you, putting CO (care of) at the start of the address (as per CQC and PCSE advice). We will though need to have a way of making contact where needed (for example with test results).

Temporary Services

If you are ill while away from home or if you are not registered with a doctor but need to see one you can receive emergency treatment from the local GP practice for 14 days. After 14 days you will need to register as a temporary or permanent patient.

You can be registered as a temporary patient for up to three months. This will allow you to be on the local practice list and still remain a patient of your permanent GP. After three months you will have to re-register as a temporary patient or permanently register with that practice.

To register as a temporary patient simply contact the practice you wish to use. Practices do not have to accept you as a temporary patient although they do have an obligation to offer emergency treatment. You cannot register as a temporary patient at a Practice in the town or area where you are already registered.

 Temporary Registration Form

The NHS App

Ball Tree Surgery would like to invite you to use The NHS App

Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

DOWNLOAD THE APP