To ask is it legal for a gp to close their list to new patients

[User3033036]

I have to move to a different town to care for my dad. I moved gp’s as I was in the area for a few months. I then attempted to register with back with my old GP they have informed me that their list is closed. My husband and children are still registered with this GP.

It can happen, I don’t know about legalities, but imagine it’s similar to a dental surgery. The option for private healthcare is there, even if you don’t want to take it.

Yes, under their contract with the NHS they can close their list.

Will they re open it?

I think so. If there are no spaces then there are no spaces. I was with my GP for 17 years, moved away for 4 months and because I was pregnant joined a different GP practice, but I moved back again to the town I was from and tried to go back to my old surgery. They just about let me back as said they were now full and I now have to see a different GP.

Yes. Obviously they can close their list - they only have the staffing to deal with a set number of patients. If you speak to your local health board they'll allocated you a GP (which may be that one, as I believe they can force them to take on new patients if there's nowhere else).

You don't have to go private, you just might not get the specific surgery you want.

It’s my nearest one I would imagine the other local ish one is full to as takes in a very large catchment.

Yes they can. If they have no space what do you expect them to do really?

It is legal. I live in an area with several large practices and one that is a single doctor, very traditional surgery, which is always swamped with people wanting to join and the list is often closed

I had this happen. I wrote to the local health authority and they allocated me a GP. If they do this I think the allocated GP has to take you.

Of course they can. IF they can't take any more people then they can't do it.

Of course it isn't.

it is though

Surely though it can’t be a long term thing? And it needs to be looked into getting a new gp rather than turning patients away.

This happened to me, my local health board then assigned me to a surgery.........turned out to be the one that I had wanted to join in the first place!!!

I'm surprised they refused you when the rest of your household is already registered there..........did you point that out? I moved back in with my parents years ago after my marriage broke down, their surgery was full but I was allowed to register as part of an existing patient household.

Of course it's legal, it's better than taking anyone who signs up way above their capacity and having a 3 month wait for an appointment.

Write a letter to the partners explaining your situation and ask them to make an exception in your circumstances.

As said by pps totally legal. Unfortunately it's not as easy as just employing another gp- there are va few GPs about, they need to have the physical space for consultations etc, it's likely to be a temporary situation. If you contact your health board they will let you know which GPs have open lists.

The other surgery that near has told me before I’m not in catchment so I would imagine it’s the same situation.

It may well be legal, but all those snarky comments about of course it is and private is an option etc need to take their smugness elsewhere. OP is entitled to have access to healthcare free at the point of service. I hope you get it sorted OP, you should not be left without a GP!

My surgery closed their list but when I told them my husband and kids were already registered there they added me on, so do double check they know you're family is all registered there as they may make an exception!

It may well be legal, but all those snarky comments about of course it is and private is an option etc need to take their smugness elsewhere. OP is entitled to have access to healthcare free at the point of service

You want vinegar for that chip? It's nothing to do with "smugness" (that you invented), its a simple fact. Is it legal for a GP to close their lists to new patients...yes it is. Pretty simple question.

There is a procedure where they allocate you a surgery if all local are full. You may find you get allocated the one you want. You won’t be without a Gp.

@User3033036

Surely though it can’t be a long term thing? And it needs to be looked into getting a new gp rather than turning patients away.

That will depend on the physical space available and the funding. Remember GP surgeries are a business, the GPs and other staff make up the employing agency.

If they decide they are at capacity then that is it. They don't have to expand if they don't think it makes business sense.

Yes it's legal.
GPs are paid for the number of patients they have in their books. They aren't employees of the NHS.
But they have to balance the number, so if they have more patients they work more hours, less patients less hours.
It becomes dangerous, potentially negligent to have more patients than they can reasonably cope with.

OP is entitled to have access to healthcare free at the point of service. I hope you get it sorted OP, you should not be left without a GP!

Well, yes no one is disagreeing. OP will not be left without a GP, it may not be who she wants or as convenient as she would like however. She had been given the mechanism by other posters to have one allocated if she can’t achieve this herself, and it will be free at point of service.