GP closures force a million patients to move surgery

An investigation by Pulse has revealed that over a million patients have had to move surgeries in the last five years due to practice closures.

The organisation’s figures show that 1.3 million patients have seen their surgery closed as a result of practice closures or mergers, with 450,000 patients having been displaced in 2017 as a result of 134 surgeries closing. In 2016, 136 surgeries closed their doors, leading to 400,000 patients being displaced, which again is a vast increase on the 18 practices which closed in 2013.

Despite NHS England and devolved governments pledging extra investment into saving vulnerable practices, the data shows a mix of practice closing and GPs having to close branch surgeries as a result of recruitment and financial problems.

Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “A GP practice closing can have serious ramifications for the patient population it served, neighbouring surgeries, the health and wellbeing of the GPs involved. Sometimes, a closure is due to a practice merging, or becoming part of a federation, so that it can pool resources in the best interests of patient care. But when it is because the practice team simply can’t cope with the resource and workforce pressures they are facing, it’s a serious failure of the system.

“GP surgeries will only hand back their contract to the NHS as an absolute last resort - but we are hearing that this is becoming increasingly common up and down the country, but particularly in rural and other ‘under-doctored’ areas where practices are finding it more difficult to recruit new GPs. For those living in isolated areas, this can mean having to travel long distances to get to their nearest surgery, and is a particular worry for those who might not drive and have to rely on public transport.

“We urgently need to see NHS England’s GP Forward View, which promises an extra £2.4 billion a year for general practice and 5,000 more GPs by 2020, delivered, in full - and similar promises made and delivered in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - to ensure patients continue to receive the care they need and deserve, regardless of where they live.”