NHS bosses reject GPs’ request to close patient lists

A group of general practices in Folkestone, Kent, that applied to formally close their practice lists because of safety concerns have had their request knocked back by NHS bosses, The BMJ has learnt.

Earlier this month seven of eight practices in the town applied for permission to close their patient lists on the basis that they were “unable to take on more patients safely.” The action was triggered after one local practice was forced to hand its contract back to South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group in May, prompting the CCG to order that the practice’s 4700 patients be reallocated to other local practices.

But the CCG rejected the practices’ application after a meeting held on Thursday 21 September. …