§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been struck off general practitioners' registers over the last two years. [99312]
§ Mr. DenhamThe table shows the number of patients removed from their general practitioner's list because of an act or threat of violence, the number of patients transferred at the request of the GP and the total number of patients removed from GP lists (at request of GP).
England 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 Total number of patients removed from GP lists (at request of GP)1 83,275 84,316 Of which: Patients removed from GP lists because of act or threat of violence 1,081 1,100 Patients transferred at request of GP1 82,194 83,216 1Some health authorities include notification of a patient leaving the practice area ie not all removals at GP request are involuntary Note:
The following health authorities did not report:
1996–97: North West Anglia, East and North Hertfordshire, Bromley, Isle of Wight
1997–98: Salford and Trafford
Source:
Department of Health—GMP Census Additional Data Collection
99WThe Department, with the support of the profession, is presently conducting a survey into the scale of, and reasons behind, patients removals by GPs. Once the results are known, we will consider any further action that needs to be taken.