RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reluctance of general practice staff to register patients without documentation: a qualitative study in North East London
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP e276
OP e283
DO 10.3399/BJGP.2022.0336
VO 73
IS 729
A1 Kitty Worthing
A1 Pooja Seta
A1 Isa Ouwehand
A1 Anita Berlin
A1 Megan Clinch
YR 2023
UL http://bjgp.org/content/73/729/e276.abstract
AB Background Lack of access to documentation is a key barrier to GP registration, despite NHS England guidance stating that documents are not required. Staff attitudes and practice regarding registration of those without documentation are under- researched.Aim To understand the processes through which registration might be refused for those without documents, and the factors operating to influence this.Design and setting Qualitative study conducted in general practice across three clinical commissioning groups in North East London.Method In total, 33 participants (GP staff involved in registering new patients) were recruited through email invitation. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Two social theories informed this analysis: Lipsky’s street-level bureaucracy and Bourdieu’s theory of practice.Results Despite good knowledge of guidance, most participants expressed reluctance to register those without documentation, often introducing additional hurdles or requirements in their everyday practice. Two explanatory themes were generated: that those without documents were perceived as burdensome, and/or that moral judgements were made about their deservedness to finite resources. Participants described a context of high workload and insufficient funding. Some felt that GP services should be restricted by immigration status, as is widespread in secondary care.Conclusion Improving inclusive registration practice requires addressing staff concerns, supporting navigation of high workloads, tackling financial disincentives to registering transient groups, and challenging narratives that undocumented migrants represent a ‘threat’ to NHS resources. Furthermore, it is imperative to acknowledge and address upstream drivers, in this instance the Hostile Environment.