> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phbhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Patient without a phone

> How a patient with no phone, no NIN or no ID still gets registered and treated, and upgraded later.

Care is never refused because a patient has no phone, no NIN or doesn't know their date of birth.

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check they're not already on PHB">
    Ask if they have an HPN. If they say they have PHB but can't remember it, and they have their registered phone, use [They already have PHB](/guides/front-desk/they-already-have-phb).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register as provisional">
    At **Register at desk**, choose **No phone today** at the identity step. An estimated date of birth is fine. At a pharmacy, choose **No phone · provisional** and a reason.
    See [Register a patient](/guides/front-desk/register-a-patient).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Treat them">
    The nurse or doctor opens a **treatment basis** while the patient is present. Identity confirm is optional and never blocks care. In a real emergency where the patient can't consent, a clinician can use the emergency override.
    See [Getting access to a record](/guides/doctor/getting-access-to-a-record).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upgrade later">
    When the patient comes back with a phone or NIN, the desk upgrades the record. The HPN stays the same.
    See [Upgrade a provisional record](/guides/front-desk/upgrade-a-provisional-record).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What a provisional record limits

No HMO claims, no cross-hospital sharing, and no app login, until it is upgraded. Care itself is not limited.

<Note>
  These no-phone access routes are built. Their clinical governance sign-off is still open (decision D-006).
</Note>


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