Can a GP practice refuse to register me because I am just outside their catchment area?

[GPGP]

A gp was recommended by a couple of friends and we have never been too pleased with but were refused due to living outside the catchment area. When I checked it was literally on the edge of the map they had online.

They definitely have capacity as they're taking new patients on. Is there anything I can do to change their mind?! I didn't realize GPS were like schools with catchment areas!

It's their rule. Why would you think it doesn't apply to you?

Of course a GP can refuse you.
A catchment area is exactly that, if you're outside then they can refuse

Surely that’s the definition of a catchment area - you only get in if you are in it

What would be the point of a catchment area if they willfully ignored it?

Of course.

Is this a serious question??

Yes, they can refuse you.

Practices have rmaboundaries.

In 2015 the rules were relaxed, and practices may if they choose to accept out-of-area patients, but they do not have to do so.

Sorry, bad typing

'Practices have formal boundaries'

Actually, you might be able to strike a deal where you agree to never ask for a call-out. It’s partly to do with keeping district nurses or GPs on home visits confined to a small area so they don’t travel far and can get more home visits done. You could ask practice manager if you could agree to forfeit this and move practice if you end up needing these services etc.

My house falls within the line of our gp...next doors is clearly outside the line. We both got accepted (it is 9 miles away, we are very rural, think no shop for 6 miles), as we work in the village the doctors is in, and all my dc are in school there too.

If you can clearly show that you have no better option (we actually didn't), that you have close ties to the location of the practice, then they might reconsider.

But they do not have to.

Yes they can, plus there's ccg boundaries eg edge of our city ccg and the county ccg which runs through streets of houses. They can waive it sometimes but not if it's in another ccg

Thx everyone. I rang the surgery up but they won't budge. If I lived across the street I would be within the boundary.