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 England and CCGs investigating half-day closing sub-contracting arrangements (18 Dec 2018)
NHS England and various London CCGs have been carrying out analysis of practices’ opening hours based on the information provided in their E-Declarations. Some commissioners have identified practices who have...General Practice Indicators module on the NHS England primary care website updated. (17 Dec 2018)
NHS England have recently updated eight indicators in the General Practice Indicators module on www.primarycare.nhs.uk. The eight indicators which have been updated relate to: Cervical screening to 2017/18...ICO fines for practices who do not pay their registration fees (17 Dec 2018)
From 25 May 2018, the Data Protection (Charges and Information) Regulations 2018 required every organisation or sole trader who processes personal information to pay a data protection fee to the...Tips of the month December 2018 (17 Dec 2018)
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...Practice Managers Conference 2018 summary (17 Dec 2018)
The Practice Managers Conference was attended by dozens of delegates from across the Londonwide area. Delegates said they enjoyed the day, particularly the opportunity to meet other PMs and learn...The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) – submission deadline 31 March 2019. (17 Dec 2018)
The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) replaced the Information Governance toolkit from April 2018. The DSPT is an online self-assessment toolkit that has to be used by all organisations...Thank you for responding to our workforce survey (13 Dec 2018)
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our workforce survey, which closed last week. The data gathered from previous workforce surveys has been used in a number...Motions sought for national LMC conference (07 Dec 2018)
We are seeking draft motions for the UK LMC conference before Christmas, so we have time to submit them in early January. If you are an LMC member please speak...Londonwide LMCs' November 2018 newsletter (21 Nov 2018)
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...
