Birchwood is pleased to advise that it can accept registration requests from patients who do not live in the catchment area.
Since January 5 2015, all GP practices in England have been free to register new patients who live outside their practice boundary area.
This means you can register with a GP practice somewhere that’s more convenient for you, such as a practice near your work or closer to your children’s schools. This will give you greater choice and aims to improve the quality of access to GP services.
Having your choice of GP is very important. Knowing you can get an appointment when you need it is a priority for most people.
We can currently offer routine appointments within one week or less. Please note this may not always be with your GP if choice but if you are acutely unwell then seeing a GP is what is important.
How can I register if I live out of area?
Simply come to our desk in Brooklea Health Centre. There are 2 GP practices in the building and we are the first desk you will come to. If there is no one at the desk then please “ring our bell” and we will be happy to attend to you!
Please advise our patient coordinator that you are registering from outside of the area which will ensure you receive the appropriate documentation.
Do we accept all out of area registration requests?
No.
The practice will decide, following a review of your completed registration form, whether to accept you as a regular patient or accept you without home visiting duties (if it is clinically appropriate and practical for you to be registered away from home).
The GPs may feel that if you have complex care needs you would be better suited to remain with a GP closer to your home so that continuity of care is provided when home visits are necessary.
If you have a child/children who are still under the care of the health visitor we may also decline your request to ensure that we adhere to our safeguarding policies.
You will be notified and given 30 days to register at a more local practice to you if we are unable to maintain you as patients on our practice list.
Will I get home visits?
Because of the greater distance to your home, our GPs are not obliged to offer you a home visit. This is why those with more complex care needs are not encouraged to register out of area.
However, if your health is usually well managed and you unexpectedly need a home visit it will be provided – just not by our GPs here.
If you have been accepted to register with Birchwood and need a home visit then simply call NHS 111 who coordinates out of area home visits.
For more information please click this link which takes you to our standard letter for patients.