Pre-launch recipient lookup testing: UK GPs

UK General Practitioner (GP) lookup testing

If your action requires matching or selecting a UK GPs - especially if you use tailored messaging and/or merge fields - then further testing is advised.

Why?: the wide and growing range of recipient lookup (and supression) plus message tailoring options means it is easy to have incorrect settings.

GP search testing

UK GPs are matched by the sender selecting their GP or GP practice from a shortlist. GPs can be shortlisted by the sender entering in their own postcode (if the practice is nearby), the practice postcode, the GP's name, the GP practice or the city.

Test for negative results (e.g. mispelled name, partial/invalid postcode) not just for positive but for results that should be negative.

1. Minimum: Test lookups in each NHS nation - even if you are excluding a country
2. Suppression list?: if you are excluding regions, practices or individuals from the action, verify they are excluded

Sample UK postcodes for testing

1. England: MK18 4LN, HX1 1BB, HU17 0ZW, CV1 1EU, BA1 0SS, BS1 1DR
2. Scotland: AB10 1SN, G1 1BQ, KY9 1JF
3. Wales: LL36 0TA, CF10 1AE
4. Northern Ireland: BT1 1TS, BT411BD, BT1 1AA
5. Problematic postcodes: NW3 2AY, N1 9AB (both valid postcodes but sometimes rejected)
6. Invalid postcodes: W10 (partial), 123 456 (invalid format), BT1 1BG (correct format, old and unused), NW1 1ZZ (correct format, non-existent)

UK GP tailored image and message testing

1. Individual targeting?: if you have tailored images and/or messages for specific named GPs, test their specific postcodes and ensure the images and/or message(s) are correct for each
2. Party targeting?: If you have tailored images and/or messages by party, test messages for GPs from each nation you have tailored for and each party you wish to receive a default or to exclude.
3. Group targeting?: If you are tailored images and/or messages by group (e.g. GP Practices or areas) then make sure you test for GPs in each group.
4. Merge fields?: If you are using merge fields into the message either from standard variables or data you've supplied, test to make sure it formats properly on the message step all the key cases.