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 2019Tips of the Month August 2018 (16 Aug 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...LMC 2018 elections - results (30 Jul 2018)
Election results are now available for all constituencies North central and east London ...Re-inventing medicine round-table (18 Jul 2018)
At our annual conference in May, Prof Martin Marshall, vice-chair of RCGP Council, spoke about the need to reconsider what general practice and community medicine looks like. Reinventing medicine is...Preparing for your CQC presentation (18 Jul 2018)
This month we are launching our CQC presentation guide, which explains how to prepare for the 30 minute presentation which is part of every practice inspection. Dami Akanbi from our...Londonwide LMCs' July 2018 newsletter (18 Jul 2018)
...Tips of the month July 2018 (17 Jul 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...CPD Standards Office awards our General Practice Manager Training Programme 106 CPD points (17 Jul 2018)
Our new General Practice Manager (GPM) training programme has now been awarded CPD accreditation by the CPD Standards Office. Students on the programme will now receive up to 106...Free practice manager conference - Thursday 22 November 2018 (17 Jul 2018)
Our next free to attend practice manager's conference will take place on Thursday 22 November 2018 at Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ. The packed programme so far...GP partnership review - London fact-finding visit (16 Jul 2018)
Dr Nigel Watson, Chair of Wessex LMCs, is leading the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) review of the GP partnership, due to be completed by the end of...GP State of Emergency success: TFL change fees advice (16 Jul 2018)
Following a letter from our GP State of Emergency team, Transport for London have updated their advice to applying for a private hire driver licence to reflect that the charge...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...
