Trusts asking practices to identify overseas patients when referring
We are aware some practices are receiving messages from hospital trusts asking for assistance in identifying overseas patients at the point of referral.
We would like to remind practices that there is no contractual obligation for GP practices to provide this information and it is up to the trust to determine eligibility to secondary care services. It is important that GPs make referrals based on clinical judgement and need, rather than perceived eligibility.
According to NHS regulations, everyone is entitled to free access to primary care services including general practice. The regulations around access to NHS secondary care services for overseas visitors are more complicated, with different rules regarding urgent and necessary care compared to routine care.
Further information about eligibility is available on the migrant.health toolkit, including additional information for practices on supporting and treating patients from abroad.
We have already raised our concerns about the letter with the GPC. If you are aware of any such requests locally, please share them with us via comms@lmc.org.uk or our Beam2LMC app.
Last updated : 18 Sep 2019NHS 73rd anniversary video (20 Jul 2021)
The health service has accomplished a lot, especially in the past year. We have made this video to recognise the momentous efforts made by GPs, practice staff and others working...Tips of the Month July 2021 (20 Jul 2021)
We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...GP Data for Planning and Research suspended until tests met (20 Jul 2021)
On 19 July NHS Digital announced it is setting three tests for the data collection associated with the GP Data for Planning and Research project (GPDfPR).These tests are: The...Reminder: Londonwide LMCs mask wearing poster for practices (19 Jul 2021)
Reminder: Londonwide LMCs mask wearing poster for practices Practices can download and...Covid-19 response update (16 Jul 2021)
In the last two weeks guidance has been issued on core services and the vaccination enhanced service. NHS England letter of 19 July This letter sets out changes for...Face covering requirements in practices (16 Jul 2021)
NHS England confirmed on 15 July 2021 that Public Health England’s infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance still applies to patient-facing healthcare settings, ahead of the law around mask wearing...Solicitors’ letters regarding ‘mask discrimination’ (12 Jul 2021)
We are aware that practices are being contacted by solicitors’ firms seeking damages for patients for “discrimination in relation to mask wearing and access to care”. The following advice may...UPDATE: Appointment mapping exercise deadline extended to 31 July 2021 (30 Jun 2021)
We have just learned that NHS England have extended the standardised GP appointment categories mapping exercise deadline until 31 July. This also means the first payments to PCNs move from...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.
follow us on...
