Aberdeen patients being “held hostage” by their GP surgery will soon be able to switch practice thanks to a new change in government guidelines.
In February, we reported health chiefs were preventing anyone already registered with an Aberdeen GP from swapping to another in the city.
The only exceptions were for people moving house or who were new to the area.
The option had been introduced by the Scottish Government to protect clinics from “sudden changes” during the pandemic.
And one north-east whistleblower said it was stemming an “exodus” of patients leaving “failing practices” for elsewhere.
What happens next?
From June 1, this government guidance is being withdrawn.
As a result, practices in the city with space to take on new clients will be able to do so once more.
A government memo sent to health bosses and seen by the P&J and Evening Express said: “Existing local registration alone will not be regarded as a good reason for declining a patient’s application to register.”
However, this new rule does not mean all practices will have to accept new patients, as some are already at maximum capacity.
Why are some Aberdeen GPs full?
Across the city, GP numbers have fallen below the Scottish average.
And the typical patient roll in the city last year was the highest of all 32 local authority areas.
Other pressures arose following the closure of Carden Medical Centre in December, with patients sent to one of five other surgeries in Aberdeen.
Temp waiting lists to smooth transition
Temporary waiting lists are being opened for the surgeries currently full, with the aim of clearing any potential backlog within three months.
Patients are being advised to contact their practice of choice in their first instance.
If they can’t re-register there, they’ll be passed on to a central team to look at other options or join a waiting list.
NHS Grampian and the city’s health and social care partnership, in a joint statement, said: “This is temporary measure, which will be kept under regular review.
“The aim is to remove the waiting list within three months, or sooner if circumstances allow.”
The organisation has also uploaded a Q&A for people seeking further information.
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