Special Allocation Service
The Special Allocation Scheme (SAS) service is for patients who have been removed from a GP in Salford or Trafford, following an incident in which the Police have been informed, ensuring individuals who have been removed from their previous GP practice due to incidents of aggression can continue to access primary care safely.
The service balances patient needs with the safety and wellbeing of staff and the wider community, providing care in a structured and controlled environment at Eccles Gateway.
Our team is trained in trauma-informed care, focusing on understanding patient experiences, building trust, and supporting behavioural change alongside essential healthcare. Led by Dr. Jocelyne Rostron, the SAS ensures patients are treated with dignity and consistency, while security personnel and thorough risk assessments maintain a safe environment. The ultimate goal is to support patients to rebuild trust and reintegrate into mainstream GP services.
During 2024/25, patient registrations rose from six in Q1 to eleven in Q4, while discharges fluctuated, peaking at twenty-two in Q2 reviews, which now take place quarterly to ensure timely assessment. The active patient list remained stable at around fifty-five, reflecting a consistent service capacity. Face-to-face appointments averaged sixty-two per quarter, while telephone consultations remained high, averaging 105, with patients from Trafford often preferring remote access due to travel barriers.
The SAS benefits from integration with the Inclusion Service, a dedicated telephone line, and a consistent team, ensuring continuity and trust. Trauma-informed care, positive language, and clear boundaries help patients feel respected while supporting behavioural change. Regular panel reviews provide oversight, supporting timely discharges and effective risk management.
The Special Allocation Service demonstrates the impact of structured, compassionate, and trauma-informed care. In 2024/25, the team ensured that patients continued to access healthcare safely, while staff and the wider patient population were protected. With dedicated leadership, a skilled multidisciplinary team, and a commitment to collaboration, the SAS continues to support patients towards stability, reintegration, and better health outcomes.