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RCGP response to Parliamentary Health Ombudsman report Listening and Learning

Publication date: 09 November 2012

Commenting on the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman report into Listening and Learning out today (9/11/12), RCGP Chair Dr Clare Gerada said:

"There are over one million consultations every day in general practice but any complaint or breakdown in the relationship between GP and patient is  regrettable. However, we query the rise in the number of patients being 'unfairly or hastily struck off' and ask the Ombudsman to clarify whether this is being confused with the regular reviews (cleansing) of practice lists by Primary Care Trusts, which GPs have no control over.
"GPs and their teams encourage patients to provide feedback and raise any issues of concern if they have had a problem, and surgeries have transparent mechanisms to make it straightforward for patients to do this.
"We will always do their best to resolve issues speedily and fairly and removals from the practice list should be used only as a last resort. Unfortunately, patients sometimes have to be removed, for example, where there has been a violent incident, but the College and the BMA have specific guidance on this."

Ends

Further Information

RCGP Press office - 020 3188 7574/7575/7576
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 46,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.