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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:
JustLyra · 15/03/2021 16:30

@User3033036

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.
What do you want people to say?

They can close their lists. There is a process for you to be allocated a new GP (you currently have one though so they won't find you one atm) so you need to go through that.

They will be allocated new patients while their list is closed through that process if the CCG need them to. If they suddenly have loads of capacity they'll open their list (though chances are they are over capacity already).

QueenBellatrix · 15/03/2021 16:35

@User3033036

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.
Not in my experience, definitely double check with the commissioner that the list is closed, practices often tell patients the list is closed when it’s not just to keep the demand at bay. Process to formally close a list is extensive!!
MidsummersNightie · 15/03/2021 16:43

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 My GP surgery of 30 years did this, but didn't keep existing patients who were outside of the new boundary. So all my family were booted out of the surgery we've been at since birth! I was a bit miffed at the time, but the new one's OK.

Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 16:55

The lady I spoke to from the nhs told me their list was closed so imagine it must be. Does anyone know how long the lists are usually closed for?

OP posts:
Original poster
User3033036 · 15/03/2021 20:22

I’ve found this information online. which must be:
− the period specified in the application to close the list of patients;
or
− in the case where the AT and contractor have agreed in writing a
different period, that different period, and in either case, the
period must be more than three months and up to 12 months;
• the date the closure of the list of patients takes effect;
• the date when the list of patients is to re-open; and
• clarification that the contractor may only accept an application for
inclusion in its list of patients from a person who is an immediate family member of a registered patient.
33 The contractor must close the list on the date in the notice Would you say this means I should be able to join their list?

OP posts:
cerseii · 15/03/2021 20:31

As others have said, your options are:

  1. Actually attempt to join another GP (instead of assuming they’ll say no). If they do say no, it makes your case more stronger for 2 & 3.
  1. Contact the practice manager at your desired practice
  1. Contact your CCG

There isn’t really a 4th magical option unfortunately

hansgrueber · 15/03/2021 21:13

@luxxlisbon

Yes they can. If they have no space what do you expect them to do really?
In 2014 our Medical Practice dropped 1500 from their list! One very elderly lady said she had been with the Practice since being a child and she recalled the doctor coming in horse and trap for visits. We were quite pleased as we were moved to a much better practice a couple of miles further away but for anyone without transport it would have presented quite a problem.
JustLyra · 15/03/2021 21:16

@User3033036

I’ve found this information online. which must be: − the period specified in the application to close the list of patients; or − in the case where the AT and contractor have agreed in writing a different period, that different period, and in either case, the period must be more than three months and up to 12 months; • the date the closure of the list of patients takes effect; • the date when the list of patients is to re-open; and • clarification that the contractor may only accept an application for inclusion in its list of patients from a person who is an immediate family member of a registered patient. 33 The contractor must close the list on the date in the notice Would you say this means I should be able to join their list?
Your options have been laid out to you numerous times.

You currently have a GP so you're not going to be joining any list anywhere atm. You need to find out the situation with your GP then go through the procedure of obtaining a new GP as laid out by your CCG.

There is no quick-fix for you to jump onto the list at your preferred option.

Asdparent · 15/03/2021 21:19

My gp closes for new patients apart from new babies. They eventually open up again

BungleandGeorge · 15/03/2021 21:29

@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.
To me that’s a convenient walking/cycling distance, many people don’t have any GP surgery that close!
Jumpjumpjumper · 15/03/2021 21:30

How many times do you want the same info?
People have spelled out what to do.

Original poster
User3033036 · 16/03/2021 09:46

Sorry I’m just really stressed about it.

OP posts:
Tibtom · 16/03/2021 09:54

Remember the vast majorityof GP practices are private businesses. Forget privatisation, this was how the NHS was set up: private GP businesses were/are paid to provide services to the NHS and the GPs who are partners in the business get to take home a share of the profits. As such they are very careful in how they run their businesses in order to maximise profits whilst meeting contractual obligations.

PlonkyPlink · 16/03/2021 10:07

I’m a GP. Lists get closed when surgeries are at maximum capacity and practices need the permission of the local CCG to close their list. It is a truly last resort for a struggling practice. Most of the time because of inability to recruit GP’s as there is a huge national shortage. Recruitment is not the main issue, it’s retention. A lot of GP’s leave practice altogether or take early retirement.

Original poster
User3033036 · 16/03/2021 10:15

PlonkyPlink Thank you how long are they usually closed for?it just seems strange as one of the gp partners is helping out in the local Covid vaccine centre. Which of course is good but surely if the practice is struggling so much it would be better they are at the surgery.

OP posts:
Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 16/03/2021 10:21

an old friend said it happened to her because she refused her cervical smears, she had to get a new GP

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 16/03/2021 10:22

sorry, that was the wrong answer to your question.

Tibtom · 16/03/2021 10:26

Perhaps that GP normally only works a four day week but is using one of his days off work to support the covid effort. Lots of GPs work part time and do other roles as well or just for work life balance.

Original poster
User3033036 · 16/03/2021 10:33

They are the leader of the Covid vaccine program for that town so I would say they are using up quite a lot of their time.

OP posts:
skeggycaggy · 16/03/2021 10:34

One of the partners at our surgery has been leading the vaccine programme for the town too, he hasn’t dropped any clinical sessions & it is all additional work.

Not sure what you want posters to say?

littlepattilou · 16/03/2021 10:38

@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!
This. ^

I think the flippant way people are talking is a bit mean. It's as if the OP is complaining she can't get into a hairdresser! It's a basic human right in this country (and many others,) to have access to healthcare, and the OP is as entitled to NHS care, as anyone else.

@User3033036 I hope you get this sorted.

If I were you, I would contact the Health and Social Care Board. See if they can advise you.

www.hscboard.hscni.net/contacts/

Although........ as a few posters have said, 2 miles to the next closest one is not far .. so if they will accept you, I would consider registering there, if they will let you.

Losttheequipment · 16/03/2021 10:39

One of the GPs leading the local vaccination programme is irrelevant - they are not going to stop doing that in order to register you at the practice. It’s important, there’s a pandemic on ffs.

Like someone said upthread, you’ve been told what to do multiple times. How many more times do you want this information?

MidsummersNightie · 16/03/2021 10:44

To me that’s a convenient walking/cycling distance, many people don’t have any GP surgery that close!

Yes, that struck me as well, my nearest surgery is 3 miles away, but they've removed us from their list for being outside the boundary!! The next nearest is 4 miles in the opposite direction. My neighbour gets a taxi if she can't find someone to take her.

Original poster
User3033036 · 16/03/2021 10:46

I didn’t say I had an issue with them running the vaccine program. I said I didn’t understand why a GP practice that is supposedly struggling so much that they can’t have new patients has a GP partner running the program. I’m sure other GP in the area could have taken it on.

OP posts:
Original poster
User3033036 · 16/03/2021 10:46

I’m not in catchment for the one two miles away either so I can register with them.

OP posts: