PHL Group provide general primary care services to patients who have been excluded from their mainstream GP list through the Special Allocation Service (SAS). This service ensures that patients who have been removed from a GP practice can still access primary care medical services in a secure environment.
When are patients assigned to the Special Allocation Service?
NHS England have a responsibility to ensure all patients can access good quality healthcare services, and that patients are not refused healthcare following incidents that are reported to the police.
It is important that we maintain a safe environment for patients and healthcare professionals. NHS Regulations allow GP practices to immediately remove patients from their registers following any incidence where a GP or member of practice staff has feared for their safety or wellbeing, resulting in the incident being reported to the police.
Ensuring the safety of professionals and patients
The Special Allocation Service allows patients to receive healthcare services from GPs, whilst ensuring that healthcare professionals, patients and others on the premises, deliver and receive those services without violence or fear for their safety.
How is the service delivered?
There are individuals who suffer from a range of conditions including mental health issues, learning disabilities or drug/alcohol dependence and some can express themselves quite aggressively.
Individuals will receive care in a way which is most appropriate to themselves, and the people around them, this includes in secure face-to-face interactions, and remote telephone interactions.
On-site
SAS patients will receive face-to-face care when necessary, in a secure environment, with appropriate supervision.
Prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions can be requested through email and your nominated pharmacy
Telephone Interactions
SAS patients can access advice and services via telephone services from a remote, undisclosed location.
Referrals
Referrals can be made when appropriate, and SAS patients are signposted to necessary services.
Information for SAS Patients
If you are assigned to a Special Allocation Service, you should not contact or visit your local practice. As a result of your removal, you will be added to the patient list at an alternative, specific GP practice.
Please do not go to another local practice asking to sign on to their list as they will not be able to help you.
What is a Special Allocation Scheme?
Special Allocation Schemes were created to ensure that patients who have been immediately removed from a practice patient list can continue to access healthcare services at an alternative, specific GP practice.
Why has my GP practice been allowed to immediately remove me from their list of patients?
It is important that practices can maintain a safe environment for their patients and all staff working in the practice. NHS Regulations allow a GP practice to immediately remove a patient from their list following any incident where a GP or member of practice staff has feared for their safety or wellbeing, resulting in the incident being reported to the police.
What can I do if I disagree with the decision to be placed on the Special Allocation Scheme?
The decision to remove you from the patient list and place you on a Special Allocation Scheme was made in accordance with NHS regulations.
Your registration on the scheme will be reviewed every 12 months. Until then, you must remain with the specific GP practice on the scheme unless you believe you have been registered by mistake, or the incident did not occur.
In which case, you may appeal the decision within 14 days of notification, by writing to the Commissioner addressing it to the Special Allocation Liaison Team.
The practice you are asking me to attend is further away than the GP practice I used to go to. How do I get there, and will you pay my travel costs?
Special Allocation Schemes often cover a wide geographical area so you may have to travel further than usual to attend an appointment. You are responsible for making your travel own arrangements and paying any fares / costs to get to your appointment.
I am unhappy about the decision to remove me from my existing practice, can I make a complaint?
If you dispute the incident that resulted in your removal from the patient list at your previous GP practice, or you believe that the appeal process has not been followed, you can make a complaint. If you decide to complain it is important to clearly explain why you believe you should have not been removed from the practice patient list or why you think the correct process has not been followed.
Your complaint will then be referred to your local NHS England complaints team for investigation. Whilst your complaint is being investigated you must remain registered with the scheme.
More information about NHS England’s complaints procedure can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint/
