Practice abolition pilots in parts of London, Manchester and Nottingham will commence in the last week of April.
The government pilot sites, first announced in December 2012, will allow patients to register with any practice of their choice within their home city.
The pilot scheme is set to run for one year and will be subject to an independent evaluation organised by the DH.
“I am delighted that from the end of this month, patients in London, Manchester and Salford and Nottingham will be able to start seeing their GP at a time and place that suits them,” said Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
“This is part of a range of measures we introducing to shift the NHS to put patients’ interests and desires at the heart of services.”
GP practices within the piloting cities will be able to join the scheme on a voluntary basis with the funding to pay for patients who use surgeries on a consultation-only basis capped at £2m.
