Addresses

• Tracing on postcode searches all current addresses stored in the NCRS. This includes the address that the patient informed the GP of when they last registered.
• Ask for the patient’s postcode for where they live.
• Check to ensure that the postcode provided is for their permanent address and not that of a temporary address.
• Ask if the patient how long they have lived at this address. If it is a short time, then this may be the first time the NHS has been informed of the move. In this case, search on the previous address.
• Postcodes should include a space between the two elements, e.g. SY3 2TT is valid; SY32TT is not valid.