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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:
BalloonSlayer · 15/03/2021 15:17

Back in the day I was told that everyone in one household had to go to the same GP.

And also if you have a guest staying who needs the GP they can see them as they are temporarily part of your household ( have had this happen twice)

Presumably this has changed then? Shame - it made sense.

Fedupmiddleagedwoman · 15/03/2021 15:20

They have a certain number of staff and a certain capacity. Of course they can't carry on taking an infinite number of new patients.

Sansaplans · 15/03/2021 15:22

That does seem ridiculous though if they are full, yet another is saying you can't join them as not in catchment area, what are you supposed to do? I'd see if the full one can write a letter or something you can show to the other one?

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:23

Her advice was I can still get medical advice off nhs 111 or stay with the one I’m currently registered with which is 40 minutes and would imagine won’t keep me on.

OP posts:
Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:24

Surely though it would put too much pressure on other surgery’s if they never open their list again?

OP posts:
Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:25

They other one also has a lot of patients with people not even able to get through never mind get an appointment

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starfishmummy · 15/03/2021 15:28

@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.
Ours has done it in the past. Its a popular small Practice. Another nearby surgery relocated to several miles away and a lot of their patients decamped to ours and they were full. It has since re-opened the list.

I dont think it's as simple as getting another GP - they would need extra support staff - admin, nurses etc. Ours also has no extra physical space for extra consulting rooms.

Seoirnbru · 15/03/2021 15:31

The chances are they are really struggling to do this- probably a few drs down- as it has implications on their funding streams.
If it is the ONLY GP surgery covering your address, you need to phone back the number on the NHS website, say you've just moved back to this address and the only local GP surgery is closed to new patients, how do you go about being allocated.
If it's NOT the only GP surgery covering your address and others are open, then it's up to the goodwill of the practice manager/partners, so you need to contact them directly explaining the situation.
Best wishes.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/03/2021 15:35

But you have to be in a GP which is in your catchment. You can’t register at one mikes away.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:44

They have the same amount of doctors as they always have plus the are a training practice so have a gp registrar.

OP posts:
Everythingiswonderful · 15/03/2021 15:45

@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.
You could have registered as a temporary resident at the surgery near your dad. Once you left your home practice your place was given to a new patient registering.

Also catchment areas because of home visits. Ha ha, you need a letter from the Queen for a home visit

Our GP’s do at least a couple of home visits each day.
The practice I’m registered at have been out to see DH several times when he’s poorly.

IrmaFayLear · 15/03/2021 15:46

It’s similar to school places. If somewhere’s full, they’re full, even if you move next door to the surgery.

The local doctors retired at the same time and the practice was closed. There were notices up that not everybody could be accommodated at the other town’s practice and the patients would be divided up amongst the three nearest health centres.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:47

Yes but surely them closing their list will overwhelm the other local one?

OP posts:
Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 15:47

That already has over 26.000 patients and I believe only 13 gp’s

OP posts:
JustLyra · 15/03/2021 15:51

@User3033036

They have the same amount of doctors as they always have plus the are a training practice so have a gp registrar.
That doesn't mean they have endless capacity for new patients.
Graciebobcat · 15/03/2021 15:52

You can search for a GP here:

www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-GP

but I'm not sure if it tells you whether their lists are open. You should be able to register somewhere near where you live though, if not that particular practice.

JustLyra · 15/03/2021 15:53

@User3033036

Yes but surely them closing their list will overwhelm the other local one?
The CCG will spread new patients who can't get allocated aorund other surgeries to prevent one specific one being overwhelmed.
Devlesko · 15/03/2021 15:57

When somebody moves out of the area you'll go up the list. It can't be helped if they have no spaces.

ThePawtriarchy · 15/03/2021 16:00

It’s not as though you can opt out of the portion of your tax that pays for NHS healthcare.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 16:05

The other one is the only surgery in this area unfortunately. The next nearest one after that one is about 2 miles a way which for people that can’t drive is a lot.

OP posts:
NewYearNewOldMe · 15/03/2021 16:10

@User3033036

The other one is the only surgery in this area unfortunately. The next nearest one after that one is about 2 miles a way which for people that can’t drive is a lot.
Can you drive?
Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 16:14

No I can’t drive unfortunately so it would also be an issue for me.

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QueenBellatrix · 15/03/2021 16:24

The commissioner will have had to approve the list closure and a full equality and quality impact assessment will have to be completed and consultation with patients and other stakeholders. Usually the CCG will only agree to this under extreme circumstances and it is always for a set period of time and then reviewed. Practices are not able to close their lists as they see fit. Contact your local clinical commissioning group to check it has officially been closed and explain your struggling to get registered, they will allocate you a GP surgery and it could even be the one you were registered with previously.

Runnerduck34 · 15/03/2021 16:26

You can check on an nhs website which GPs are accepting new patients for your address. Google GP finder.
We live rurally and were told by a few surgeries they couldn't accept us but when i mentioned that the the nhs website said they did cover our postcode and were accepting new patients they very grudgingly changed their minds ( had to speak to practice manager) .
So I would double check but if they really have closed their list then you will have to register elsewhere.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 16:27

I’ve looked and it can be up to a year at a time. Surely the list will lose patients as people will sadly pass away and others will move.

OP posts:
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