The controversial on-line GP service, Babylon, has been given the go-ahead to continue recruiting patients in Birmingham, it has been reported.

It will continue to face blocks on its plans to expand into Manchester, according to the Health Service Journal. The changes emerged from the Hammersmith and Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group where Babylon is based.

The CCG lifted a cap on the number of patients Babylon is allowed to recruit in Birmingham, previously set at 2,600. The change was subject to Babylon sending out its first appointments to patients for cervical screening and for diabetic eye screening.

It is also required to establish that it is taking part in breast screening in Birmingham.
Babylon offers an on-line consultation service but has faced objections to expansion amid concerns that it could not offer patients face-to-face services.

It said it regards the objection to its expansion in Manchester as “formal” and that it hopes to overcome objects early next year.

A spokesperson said: “We welcome the news that Hammersmith and Fulham have agreed to remove the list size cap on 2,600 Babylon GP at Hand patients in Birmingham. We were assured that there would not be a long delay and are glad to see that was the case. This means anyone in Birmingham who wants to join our popular NHS service is free to do so.”