Glossary


What's a location?

For registration purposes the term ‘location’ is different from the common usage. It’s a complex concept so providers should read our full guidance carefully before deciding how to register.

In simple terms, a location is a place at or from which health and social care services are provided or managed. On your certificate of registration, locations are listed as a condition of registration.

A place where you provide services is classed as a separate location only if the services provided there are managed independently from those at other locations.

For example ...

A single GP practice, in most cases, is classed as a location.

The number of locations for a GP practice with a branch surgery depends on how they’re managed. If the branch surgery is managed separately (e.g. if it has its own patient list) it should be registered as a separate location.

A separate walk-in centre or GP-led health centre is generally classed as a location if it’s a place where regulated activities are permanently provided.

A community hall where a surgery is held, but which is not usually set up for that purpose, is not a separate location. Nor is a care home or a prison where outreach or visiting services are provided. Rather, the location from where you manage the regulated activities you provide during such visits should be included as a location.

Read the full guidance

See our full guidance in 'What is a 'location'?'.

 What is a 'location'? (583.2 KB)