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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

112 replies

User3033036 · 15/03/2021 11:24

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.

OP posts:
KittoKatto · 15/03/2021 12:03

My GP surgery was about to do this then covid hit. Another practice in the town where I live closed their list for about 18 months. Both desperately need larger premises so they can take on additional staff but can't find a suitable building.

Years ago in another area when DP moved in with me he tried to register at the same surgery as me only to be told he didn't live in the catchment area. Turned out this was true, as the practice had moved the boundary to reduce the number of new patients at some point after I'd registered.

notdaddycool · 15/03/2021 12:04

The can do this, but I would try again, if the rest of your family is there and you used to be I think they would probably make an exception, but that is probably above the receptionist's paygrade, write to the practice manager saying what you've said here.

poppycat10 · 15/03/2021 12:06

@therocinante

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.
Well that happens anyway. Also catchment areas because of home visits. Ha ha, you need a letter from the Queen for a home visit.
RuthW · 15/03/2021 12:06

@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.
Not as simple as that. They may not have the room in the building for extra clinics or are able to afford another doctor. Practices are a private business.
JanewaysBun · 15/03/2021 12:07

There's a real lack of GPs, I think there should be more funding for unis to have more space in their medical schools. I know people who would have made fantastic GPs but missed out on spaces on uni as they didn't have straight A*s. With an increasing (and increasingly elderly) population we need to start training more.

Obvs this is not an immediate solution but this problem will get worse. Also obvs not fully thought out by me either but just a general idea Smile

catinbootsx · 15/03/2021 12:10

Yes of course it is! But if you find 111 they have to find you a GP. We had the same problem when we moved here and ringing 111 managed to get us into the local surgery - who had closed their list! Bonkers.

Moondust001 · 15/03/2021 12:10

If you cannot find a GP to register with then you need to contact the local Clinical Commissioning Group.

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 15/03/2021 12:11

I know people who would have made fantastic GPs but missed out on spaces on uni as they didn't have straight As.*

Thousands who DO have straight A*s are turned away each year due to lack of spaces. Someone with lower grades probably wouldn't cope with the course.

JustLyra · 15/03/2021 12:15

@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.
There is a shortage of GPs so it's probably not through lack of trying.

Although that assumes they have the space. One of the surgeries here has a closed list. They don't physically have the room in the building for any more GPs to work from it.

NuclearDH · 15/03/2021 12:20

@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.
Quite. But that’s the CCG’s problem not that particular GP surgery. Problem is GP recruitment isn’t easy. There’s a shortage.
DynamoKev · 15/03/2021 12:20

@TitusPullo

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!
Agreed - we have this issue as hundreds of new houses have been built with zero extra provision for health and schools and now these services are scrambling to catch up. Of course we predicted this during the "planning" process but no-one listened.
NuclearDH · 15/03/2021 12:22

@JanewaysBun

There's a real lack of GPs, I think there should be more funding for unis to have more space in their medical schools. I know people who would have made fantastic GPs but missed out on spaces on uni as they didn't have straight A*s. With an increasing (and increasingly elderly) population we need to start training more.

Obvs this is not an immediate solution but this problem will get worse. Also obvs not fully thought out by me either but just a general idea Smile

The issue isn’t lack of space in the actual medical schools. It’s a lack of capacity of practical play space which limits medical school numbers. Medical students need to be able to spend a significant proportion of their training on hospital and GP placements and they’re full to bursting with students as it is.
GetOffYourHighHorse · 15/03/2021 12:33

'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'

This! I find it incredible some people on here are so accepting. Imagine if a local hospital was 'full' and wouldn't have you on their waiting lists or see you as an emergency. Surely as the op's family are registered there that should get her in for starters.

Seems op, like many things to to with primary care, you'll have to push and push. So ring 111 for any appointments in the mean time and contact ccg/primary care network to get reregistered.

BungleandGeorge · 15/03/2021 12:43

There’s absolutely no need to go private but you are not guaranteed your first choice. They can only treat the patients that they have resource for and they are not under an obligation to expand to accommodate extras if there is alternative provision. If you can’t find a GP within catchment (which are generally small areas) contact your CCG and they will find provision for you. If you are staying away from home temporarily it can be a better option to regiater at a second surgery as a temporary resident

TitusPullo · 15/03/2021 13:10

@HoppingPavlova - one poster told OP that private was an option as if to say, tough luck your NHS GP is full you will have to go private.

1forAll74 · 15/03/2021 13:25

I moved down from the Midlands,to Hertfordshire 16 years ago,and then registered at a Gp's near me, all was well. Two years ago,I had a letter from them, saying that they were considering taking me off their register,, the reason for this,was I had never attended their surgery at all, since registering 16 years ago.. I have never been to a doctors for 26 years, which I am very pleased about ! but always registered with a GP in the past.

They haven''t as yet taken me down, but thought it was an odd reason for me to be deleted.

They may have thought that I had died off though, with not being a regular patient over16 years.. Here was me, thinking that it'was my good fortune, to stay away from any doctor all these years,, but sign up as a safety measure anyway.

Seoirnbru · 15/03/2021 13:38

1forall74- GPs have to do this from time to time- it's called clearing the list of 'ghosts' eg patients who have moved abroad or away or died elsewhere but are still on a GPs list. Otherwise GPs would be getting paid for a patient who doesn't exist. As soon as you responded to the letter it confirms you are still a 'live' patient and you'll still be registered.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 14:42

Thank you everyone I called a number on nhs site about gp practices issues. Unfortunately she wasn’t helpful told me that was the catchment GP only.

OP posts:
AnnaSW1 · 15/03/2021 14:55

If they are full they are full.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:02

I understand that but I was only registered there a few months ago and still would be had I have not have needed to care for my dad.

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 15/03/2021 15:04

@User3033036

I understand that but I was only registered there a few months ago and still would be had I have not have needed to care for my dad.
Have you made contact with the Practice Manager yet?

They are the ones who will be able to look at your specific circumstances and make a decision.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:06

These no email addresses for her. I suppose if there full then they won’t even consider allowing me in.

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 15/03/2021 15:10

@User3033036

These no email addresses for her. I suppose if there full then they won’t even consider allowing me in.
You can email the main address FAO of Practice Manager, URGENT

It should get to them.

Alternatively pop a letter through the door addressed to her.

They might squeeze you in given your circumstances. You could at least get a definitive answer from her.

Seoirnbru · 15/03/2021 15:12

If there is only one GP practice covering your address you will end up being allocated to it even it their list is closed, but you will have to request allocation. If there is another covering your address with an open list you will have to go there.
I'm in Scotland so I don't know how it works in other UK countries, here it would be the Health Board / Practitioner Services who would allocate you I think.
In your particular circumstances it might be quicker to email or write to the practice manager seeing as the rest of your family is still registered- but bear in mind they are likely to be up to their eyeballs with vaccine planning just now.

Seoirnbru · 15/03/2021 15:14

In future, if you are only away temporarily you can register as a temporary resident with a different surgery while keeping your main registration unchanged. I think it's up to 90 days at a time (off the top of my head)