Patients With Second Homes
A number of our patients have two homes in the UK and spend time in each. However, it is important that these patients are registered with an NHS GP at the most appropriate location. Determining the most appropriate location for registration should be consistent to ensure that patients are treated fairly. This doesn’t cover second homes abroad, where the patient remains registered with West Meon Surgery, but is restricted by the NHS prescribing rules regarding the number of month’s medication we can provide.
Patients with second homes
Where the patient spends most of their week (Monday to Friday) determines where their NHS GP should be. It is important that they have their medical record where they spend the most time. Referrals and screening are done by their registered NHS GP.
West Meon Surgery can provide acute NHS services where the individual spends less time within our Practice Boundary and they will be registered as temporary or immediately necessary. If a patient uses private services for the duration of the time they are at their second home, then they may be an NHS patient at West Meon Surgery.
Any uncertainty will be discussed and agreed with the Practice Manager.
Patients going to university
These patients must register for NHS services near their university as it is vital their medical record is with them. They may always register at West Meon Surgery as a temporary patient or for immediately necessary treatment when they are staying at the family home.
Any uncertainty will be discussed and agreed with the Practice Manager.
Patients temporarily living in rented accommodation
Patients who are temporarily living in rented accommodation whilst their home in our catchment area is being renovated may remain on our list but will receive written confirmation that this will only be for a period of up to 6 months and that they will no longer be eligible for home visits or for us to dispense medication to them, unless they do not have a pharmacy within 1 mile as the crow flies from their rented accommodation. If this is the case, we may still dispense to them.
If the patient has not moved back into their home within our Practice Boundary within 6 months, they will be deducted. In this eventuality, the patient will receive 4 weeks’ notice to register elsewhere.
Any uncertainty will be discussed and agreed with the Practice Manager.
Patients temporarily living in mobile homes
If a patient is living temporarily in a mobile home, they may remain as a patient for up to 6 months after which point they will need to register with an NHS GP near to where they are staying.
The patient will receive a letter advising they longer be eligible for home visits or for us to dispense medication to them (unless they do not have a pharmacy within 1 mile as the crow flies, in which case we may still dispense to them).
They will be advised that they will be deducted after 6 months if they have not moved into a home within our practice boundary. In this eventuality, the patient will receive 4 weeks’ notice to register elsewhere.
Any uncertainty will be discussed and agreed with the Practice Manager.
Patients with no fixed abode
These patients are often highly vulnerable and so will be registered for NHS services using the Practice address as their home address. The patient will be contacted every six months to confirm they are still within the Practice Boundary. If not, then they will receive 4 weeks’ notice to register elsewhere.
Any uncertainty will be discussed and agreed with the Practice Manager.
Patients not declaring they are out of area
If staff become aware this procedure is being abused by patients, for example, their EPS pharmacy is consistently outside our boundary for in excess of 6 months, then these patients will be given 4 weeks’ notice that they are going to be from our Practice list.
Any uncertainty will be discussed and agreed with the Practice Manager.