Ghost Patients?

[mushroom25]

evidently if you don't go to your doctor's for a long time, new government rules will see you struck off, in case you're a "ghost"; this family only found out when they needed help on holiday:-

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/holiday-from-hell-leaves-ghost-patient-with-5k-bill-after-travel-insurance-problem/story-29829535-detail/story.html

if you generally healthy how would you know you haven't been struck off, until you're in trouble?

[Mamyalynne]

In this particular case the lady states she received no letter from her surgery, if so that's totally wrong.

For everyone else, best check with your own surgery what you need to do to stay registered if you as you say are normally healthy.

[EDDIE51]

Something of a 'non story' as at the end it says the insurance company will process the claim after they get home, once they have accessed her medical records.
I've only seen my doctor 5 or 6 times in 60 years but I'm still on the register, they sent me a 'flu jab' appointment last week.

[ichkeria]

Yes I had heard about this some time ago. If the rule is as stated, it is bizarre. I cannot see how it helps anything.
It is probably always wise to check one is still registered, but nonetheless if this story is true, it shows how daft it is.

[Mamyalynne]

They are supposed to try to contact you in order to confirm you want to stay on their list, if this hasn't happened then yes the Surgery is at fault.

[Mamyalynne]

It should be two letters apparently......


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/27/millions-of-ghost-patients-registered-with-gps/

[whiskeryron]

It seems in line with everything else these days would it not be a good idea to have a plastic card issued to everyone showing the doctor's name & practice that one is registered with ? Don't anyone tell me it would be unaffordable with the amounts of cash being thrown at blank walls these days.

[woofgang]

Its not in a surgery’s interests to remove healthy people from their list without checking as that is where the steady money is. Gp surgeries receive their share of the Global Sum partly based on the number of people on their list weighted by age and sex. People like me who rarely see their GP are pretty much pure profit. I really hope I stay as pure profit for many more years!

[Mamyalynne]

Sounds a good idea, it would also need a date on for refresh/renewal though or the same situation could ensue.


Surely we don't want GPs being paid for patients who have long since died and moved away?

[Mamyalynne]

^^ died or moved away?

[woofgang]

died AND moved away Mamya.....given that its nearly Halloween, that’s quite seasonal!

[whiskeryron]

wooffy, pure we know you are,profit not sure about.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes Woof, spotted my spooky error - they walk amongst us mwha ha ha.