In June 2019, NHS England and NHS Improvement issued information reminding CCGs and GPs of a contractual change in the NHS England Standard General Medical Services (GMS) Contract 2017/18 (see page 64), which means that people can now register with a GP practice prior to their release from the secure residential estate (such as prisons, young offender institutions, immigration removal centres and secure training centres).
The aim of this is to help these individuals maintain continuity of care, avoid unplanned emergency admissions to hospital, and support their rehabilitation. Such individuals can also be initially reluctant to register with their GP practice post-release. Practices should be updating their procedures, as set out here.
NHS England has been advised by healthcare providers working within the secure residential estate, that not all GP practices are aware of this, which has resulted in a number of issues with registering individuals with a community GP practice prior to their release. To help prevent this from happening, and support the registration of these patients, practices are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this process. If you have any queries, please email england.healthandjustice@nhs.net