A patient, who has asked to remain anonymous for professional reasons, claims he was unexpectedly removed from his local health centre last week without prior warning.
According to the patient, the removal came just one day before he received a message informing him that his existing medication would be changed to a new formulation. The message reportedly stated that the switch was intended to help reduce NHS costs.
The patient says the timing of the two events has raised concerns and is now seeking answers about why he was removed from the practice without advance notice.
The patient alleges that he had previously raised multiple complaints about his GP, but claims the practice refused to remove the doctor from his care despite his repeated requests.
He further claims that the GP continued to oversee his medications, electronic consultations (e-consults), and aspects of his ongoing care, leaving him feeling increasingly distressed, violated, and unable to trust the practice.
According to the patient, the situation had a profound impact on his mental health, contributing to severe emotional distress that ultimately led to a suicide attempt.
The patient says he was asked to sign a behaviour agreement despite believing he was too unwell to fully understand its terms or the expectations it placed upon him.
According to the patient, his complex physical and mental health conditions made it difficult for him to comprehend what was required. He also states that he is currently experiencing a mental health crisis and is awaiting admission to an appropriate mental health inpatient bed.
The patient argues that these circumstances should have been taken into account when decisions were made regarding his care and interactions with the practice.
The publication has also been made aware of allegations from other patients registered with Saltash Health Centre who claim to have experienced similar concerns regarding the practice and its staff.
In one incident described to this publication, an undercover investigator alleges they witnessed an elderly man, believed to be in his 80s, being refused an immediate appointment after arriving at the surgery while suffering from severe chest pain. According to the account, the man’s wife sought urgent assistance after deciding to stop at the GP practice instead of continuing to Derriford Hospital because of his condition.
The investigator claims the patient was too unwell to leave the car and that a receptionist advised his wife to complete an online e-consult, stating that he could not be seen immediately. These allegations have not been independently verified, and the surgery has been approached for comment.
Have you been affected by this article?
If your GP practice dropped you after a suicide attempt, this action may be a violation of NHS regulations. Under NHS guidelines, practices cannot remove patients from their list on the grounds of a medical or mental health condition.
What can I do now ?
Report the Practice: Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB)
Submit a Formal Complaint: You have the right to challenge the removal by submitting a formal complaint directly to the GP practice’s Practice Manager, or through the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). The PHSO investigates unfair removals and contract breaches. – However there is a warning on their website saying due to demand this might take 6 months.