In recognition of the barriers to healthcare access faced by people in vulnerable circumstances, including migrants, we commit to protecting the human right to health. We will take steps to ensure that everyone in our community may fulfill their entitlement to quality healthcare.
In partnership with Doctors of the World UK, we will ensure that our practice offers a welcoming space for everyone who seeks to use our services.
Mindful of our duties to uphold equality and human rights law, we will implement patient registration policies which do not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status or any other characteristic.
Supported by the Safe Surgeries initiative, we will ensure that our staff understand the specific barriers faced by migrants in vulnerable circumstances and that they are empowered to mitigate these barriers, where possible.
We will ensure that a lack of identification or proof of address, immigration status or language do not prevent patient registration.
As a member of the Safe Surgeries community, we will endeavour to support other Safe Surgeries and, where appropriate, provide feedback to Doctors of the World UK to support the development of the network.
Follow this link to view our Safe Surgeries Declaration.
If you need help with any of the documents below please contact the surgery.
Guidelines for patient registration
More information about registration
Everyone in the UK has the right to free care from a GP
We are proud to be a ‘Safe Surgery’ for everyone in our community.
Explanation of Safe Surgeries in other languages
Follow this link to read about Safe Surgeries in other languages
Downloadable posters
Poster about identification documents
New guidance: HC2 certificates for people seeking asylum
NHS England has released new guidance on supporting HC2 application for people seeking asylum. The guidance is aimed at professionals supporting asylum seekers around access to healthcare and prescriptions, and outlines the process for completing HC1 forms and receiving a HC2 certificate.
A HC2 certificate entitles individuals to free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, wigs and fabric support, sight tests, vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses, and necessary travel costs to and from hospital for NHS treatment under the care of a consultant.
A person being housed in hotel contingency accommodation while waiting for a decision on their asylum claim can receive as little as £8 per week in support payments. A recent report by Asylum Matters highlights the devastating impact of living on asylum support and the effect of the rising cost of living: 75% of those surveyed reported not being able to afford the medicines they need and 95% reported not being able to afford travel costs.
We know that cost-related factors can be a major barrier to accessing primary care. People who have low or no income are eligible to apply for an HC2 certificate to help with health costs, regardless of their nationality and/or immigration status. All asylum seekers are entitled to a HC2 certificate, and some receive theirs automatically, but many will need to complete a HC1 form to apply for it. This often means they miss out on this support, as they are not aware of it or aren’t able to complete the form.
Kenton Clinic keeps hard copies of the HC1 form in their reception area to distribute to anyone who may be struggling with health costs. You can contact Migrant Help (0808 8010 503) who can support.
NHS advice in other languages.
