§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will ensure that GPs give written reasons why a patient is deregistered; and if he will make a statement. [86164]
§ Mr. HuttonAlthough there is currently no legal requirement for a general practitioner (GP) to give a written reason why a patient is deregistered, the General Medical Council's guidance, Good Medical Practice, says that GPs should as far as possible give reasons for the removal. The Department fully supports this advice and the rules and procedures which allow GPs to remove patients from their lists are being reviewed as part of the process for negotiating a new general medical services contract.