can my docs kick me off the books because i move out of the area?

[Tortington]

thought it about time i did a 'change of address' at the surgery and they told me they were kicking me off the books becuase i had a surgery nearer. i told them i didn't want to leave.

can they?

yes they can

ours accept patients on a very strict postcode criteria as my MIL wanted to join and she was told she couldn't

yes.

This has happened to a friend of mine, I'd never heard of it before that. Seems only some surgeries in our area do it.

thanks

Yes - they only have to take patienst within their 'catchment' area. If you're outside it, they can remove you to make room for people withn the area on a waiting list
It's usually your local PCT or Health Authority rules rather than their decision

happened to me too - I tried to fight it (as I have a DC with complicated health needs - thought he would be better staying with a GP he knew) They wouldn't budge though

yes they can, although they don't have to. they didn't shove people off at the surgery i used to work for because they were desperate for more patients. but it meant home visits were a nightmare, people were sometimes a really long way away. quite scary IMO so although it's a pain I do see why they do it.

Yes they can It has always kept me in a set area because I am scared of losing a good gp.You can appeal though if you have strong grounds x

some do and some don't. My mother is way out of the catchment of her gp but they let her stay as she's gone there for about 30 years.

However mine made me move despite me complaining as don't like new surgery. Practice manager was very nice but said it was because of home visits. Did make me laugh a little as chance of a home visit is very remote and also my new surgery is part of the same group of surgeries and it turns out has pretty much the same gp's so all a bit moot really.

thanks, i phoned a new surgery and will pop in tonight. not thoroughly enamoured with my current place anyway - but the new place may be as bad.

i thought the patients charter ( which i have never read!) would give one more choice - but hay ho.

thank you

As everyone else has said 'yes they can'.

However we moved recently and my GP said she was happy to keep us on her books even although there is a waiting list for her surgery.

I would speak with your GP and plead your case.

Good Luck