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Out of Area Registration Policy

Holborn Medical Centre offers Out of Area (OOA) registration to patients who live outside our catchment area but wish to access services closer to their workplace, study, or other regular activities. While we strive to provide continuity of care, there are important considerations and restrictions to be aware of when registering as an OOA patient.

Key Features of OOA Registration

As an OOA registered patient, you will have access to the same general services as our regular patients. However, the following restrictions apply:

1. Home Visits: We cannot provide home visits for OOA patients.
   • If You Are Too Unwell to Attend: During practice opening hours, we ask that you call the practice for an initial telephone consultation. If the clinician determines that you require an in-person review and are unable to attend the surgery, you will be advised to contact NHS 111 for urgent care or 999 in an emergency.

2. Urgent Treatment: Similarly, if you cannot attend the practice and need an urgent examination, you will need to use local services via NHS 111 or 999.

Eligibility for OOA Registration

We welcome OOA patients who do not require specialist or geographically dependent care. Unfortunately, some patients are not suitable for OOA registration due to the nature of their healthcare needs.

Patients ineligible for OOA registration include (but are not limited to):

• Pregnant women requiring antenatal care.
• Families with children aged 15 or younger.
• Patients with serious mental health conditions requiring local support (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder).
• Patients or families with child safeguarding concerns.
• Adults requiring safeguarding services or complex care packages.

Refusal or Re-registration Decisions

Our practice reserves the right to refuse OOA registration or request re-registration for patients whose health and social care needs cannot be safely managed remotely.

Process for Refusal or Re-registration:

1. Any decision to refuse registration or request re-registration will only be made after careful review of your medical history and personal circumstances.
2. If such a decision is made, you will receive a written explanation detailing the reasons for our decision.
3. You will have 30 days to register with another GP practice.

We would only take these steps to ensure that you receive safe and effective care that meets your needs.

Limitations on Referrals

As an OOA patient, referrals to some services may be limited due to your address. Certain services may reject referrals based on your home address being outside our catchment area. If this impacts on your safe and effective care, then we reserve the right to deregister you, and would advise you register with a GP near your home, to ensure they can then refer you appropriately. 

Review and Attendance

To maintain your registration, you must attend regular reviews for conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or other chronic conditions. You will be invited for these reviews by the practice at regular intervals. Failure to attend after three invitations may result in removal from our practice list.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens after I join as an OOA patient?
   Your records will be reviewed by a GP. If we identify that your care would be better managed locally, we will notify you in writing and allow 30 days for you to register elsewhere.
2. What if I disagree with the restrictions?
   OOA registration is optional. If you do not agree, we recommend registering with a GP near your home.
3. What if I move back into the catchment area?
   Simply inform us of your new address. You will be re-registered as a regular patient, and OOA restrictions will no longer apply.
4. Can I still use the practice if I’m too unwell to attend?
   Yes. Call us for an initial telephone consultation or submit an Econsult. If the clinician determines a home visit is necessary, you will be advised to contact NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency
5. What if I develop an exclusionary condition while registered as OOA?
   If your circumstances change, and your care would be better managed by a local GP, we will inform you in writing and provide 30 days notice to allow you to register with a local GP.
6. Can I complain about a decision?
   We value patient feedback and are happy to address any concerns. You may also contact your local Healthwatch for independent advice.

We aim to provide high-quality care to all our patients. OOA registration enables flexibility for those who live outside our catchment area but wish to access our services. However, these restrictions are in place to ensure safety and the highest standard of care.