Originally published in 1997, Removing patients from a GP’s list has been updated to take into account recent changes in primary care and the new GP contract. It is designed to provide practical advice to a patient and doctor in the event that the relationship irreparably breaks down.

The publication advises GPs to investigate whether their practice could be contributing to the problem. GPs are asked to consider implementing procedures which may help such as rapid access to a telephone consultation.

Dr Tina Ambury, Vice Chair of the RCGP, said: “This document sets a gold standard for the way in which GPs should deal with patients they want to remove from their lists. It is important that both GPs and patients have a clear understanding of the behaviour that is expected of them. Of course in the vast majority of cases the GP-patient relationship works very well.”

Joy Dale, Chair of the RCGP’s Patient Partnership Group, said: “The RCGP’s Removal of Patients from GPs’ List, is an easy to read document that is suitable for both the lay person and the medical professional. It has become a well used reference tool for health and legal advisory organisations across the UK. We anticipate that the updated version will be used in a similar way.”

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For more information please contact Rachel Lawrence at the RCGP press office on 020 7344 3137 or Dan Stern on 020 7344 3136 or email press@rcgp.org.uk. Out of hours contact number 07885 958632. Notes for Editors “Removal of Patients from GPs’ Lists” will be published on the RCGP website www.RCGP.org.uk. The publication is also available by telephoning 020 7581 3232 x 267. Founded in 1952, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) aims to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the ‘voice’ of general practitioners on education, training and standards issues. The membership includes 21,000 of the 37,000 GPs currently practising in the UK. For further information visit http://www.rcgp.org.uk.