Practices may need improved training about the rights to care of people without documentation, a senior GP has said after an investigation showed how thousands of people were unable to access COVID vaccination.

Researchers from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism found many practices refusing to register patients without documents to prove their ID, address or immigration status. NHS policy in England, Wales and Scotland is that practices should not refuse registration for these people so they have access to health care.

The researchers found that in large cities with large transient populations just 24% of practices would certainly register these patients. Some 62% of practices refused these patients and in 14% of cases, staff said they were uncertain of the rules. Patients were also told they would probably not be able to have the COVID vaccine.

Dr Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary, University of London, said: “While the government says vaccines are available to all, this is just an empty statement given it has clearly done very little to ensure that this is actually the case and the reality for those on the ground is clearly very different. From a public health and humanitarian perspective, this is extremely concerning.”

Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, joint honorary secretary of the Royal College of GPs, said: “A lack of ID or proof of address, immigration status or language should not be barriers to patients being able to register at a GP practice – or access important health interventions, such as COVID-19 vaccination. General practice is the first point of contact with the health service for 90% of patients and it is in everyone’s best interests that all patients are able to access our services, so that we can deal with their health conditions before they become more serious, or in the case of vaccine programmes, help prevent them in the first place.

“It is very important for addressing health inequalities that all patients can access general practice and if people face barriers due to a lack of awareness, sometimes because of past miscommunication, around registration eligibility rules, this needs to be addressed. To this end, the RCGP has supported the Doctors of the World’s Safe Surgery initiative which has produced tools for GP practices to take steps to improve GP accessibility for all, including those in inclusion health groups.”

Dr Tzortziou-Brown added: “The College has previously put forward proposals to maximise social inclusion in general practice and make access easier for those who are entitled to it – including via better training for receptionists and clinical staff around the legalities of who is entitled to care and what documentation is necessary, so that vulnerable people don’t fall through the gaps because of avoidable technicalities.”