Number of patients forced to switch GP surgeries up 50 per cent, research shows

The number of patients who were forced to switch GP surgeries has risen by 50 per cent over the past year, according to an investigation by Pulse.

The investigation found that the number of practices either closing or shutting down branch surgeries has increased by 40 per cent, resulting in 200,000 patients being forced to register with a new GP or travel further to see their existing GP.

In total, 31 GP practices closed across England in 2015, as well as 41 branch surgeries closing as a result of a merger.

The Patients Association has expressed concerns regarding these figures, claiming that they highlight the ‘desperate situation’ that primary care services currently find themselves in.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “We hear from so many patients on our helpline who are struggling to access their GP, with a number particularly concerned about their GP practice merging with others around them. Closing surgeries limits access to care and patient choice.

“The increase in the number of patients having to travel further to visit their GP is particularly worrying. Many elderly and vulnerable patients are often unable to travel far to visit their GP. Primary care services are vital for their safety and wellbeing and must be as accessible as possible.”

Responding to the survey, Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said: “A GP practice might close because surgeries are merging or forming a federation with other practices to pool their resources in the best interests of patient care – something that the College supports.

“But when this happens in some areas, particularly remote and rural areas, it can impact on our patients’ access to care, and every effort must be taken to avoid this.

“Unfortunately, we currently have a severe shortage of GPs across the UK and some practices are being forced to close simply because there are not enough GPs to run them or because workload pressures mean that they can no longer guarantee safe patient care.”

Both the Patients Association and the RCGP have called for further investment to train GPs, practice nurses and other frontline staff, which they argue is essential to ensure primary care services can meet the needs of their patients.