200,000 patients may have been ‘displaced’ by GP surgery closures

An investigation by Pulse magazine has found that the number of patients being displaced by surgery closures rose by 50% in 2015, leaving patients having to travel further to see their GP following a merger or being forced to register with a new GP.

The study also revealed that the number of practices either shutting down branch surgeries or closing altogether rose by 40%.

The number of displaced patients in 2015 (206,269) compares with 43,000 just two years previously.

Committee deputy chairman of the British Medical Association, Dr Richard Vautrey, said “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for small practices to cope with rising levels of bureaucracy and manage their workload.

“Often they work in inner-city areas serving deprived communities which can be really quite challenging.

“They haven’t had the investment in premises and other types of development, so it’s very difficult to attract new GPs to go in there and work alongside them.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said “These figures represent less than 1% of the total number of GP practices in England. It has always been the case that a small number open, close, or merge over time. What’s important is that patients continue to get access to the services they need.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 028 2969