GP Catchment Check

A new software tool has been designed to help GP practices quickly establish whether a patient’s postcode falls within your practice catchment boundary area.

Catchment Check uses SHAPE data mapping technology to determine where a patient lives in relation to the GP practice boundary they wish to join. Staff can enter the patient’s postcode, which will show them their location on the map and whether it’s within the practice’s catchment boundary area.

Giles Billingsley, SHAPE’s Senior Developer, said: “Catchment Check is available to all GP practices across England and offers them a much more efficient approach to informing new patients whether they can join their list or not.

“We’ve identified a need for this service within the NHS as a previous tool was discontinued.

“GP practice staff may have access to postcode, location or address information on a sheet, or use local knowledge, but this is a much quicker, efficient and cost effective way of working.”