HL Deb 27 January 2003 vol 643 c132WA
Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many old or disabled people have been deregistered by general practitioners in each of the last three years. [HL1095]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The Department of Health collects information on the number of patients removed from the lists of general practitioners or personal medical services pilot providers and on whether there has been an act or threat of violence but does not collect information on the characteristics of the patients concerned. There is therefore no information on the numbers of such people who are elderly or disabled.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is any right of appeal for old or disabled people who are deregistered against their will by a general practitioner. [HL1096]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

There is no right of appeal for any patient in such circumstances. This is because the relationship between the general practitioner and patient is mutual and usually cannot be sustained if either party loses confidence in the other.