That is not law, but anyway.
I only visited that Dr in London twice, first time was an introduction, next time I was ill. Since the last visit was over 30 years ago, my records must be very dusty.

It is the legal requirement.

And not doing so is costing the NHS millions- but keeping your GP happy as s/he keeps getting the yearly fee for having you as a patient- for doing, nothing. As GPs only take a certain number of patients on, then close the books- anyone who remains on GPs list not only costs the NHS, but also takes the place of someone local who cannot find a GP.

From NHS website


Planning your healthcare abroad

If you're moving abroad on a permanent basis, you'll no longer automatically be entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system.

You'll have to notify your GP practice so you and your family can be removed from the NHS register.


I remember our last visit to GP before we left. She had been my OH's GP Trainee for 3 years, and he had written several references for her in the past. she said, I'd love to keep you two on the books, but as you know that would be illegal, I hope you understand. To which OH replied that of course, that was the legal requirement and totally understood.

Better be careful you aren't picked out of the queue when you are at the airport

You've still not managed to tell us what law is being broken by not de-registering from your GP if you move abroad?

I had all my medical records sent from my UK GP to my Swiss one.

I guess if you don't tell your UK GP and they still hold all your records, you will not receive the safest treatment based on your medical history...

It is a legal requirement- as it costs the NHS millions a year. As said, if you are on register, the fee per patient per year (a measly £155 per year, and quite a bit more if over 65) has been paid to your GP all those years, automatically. It is also taking the place of a patient struggling to find a GP who still takes patients on their list.

Deep doo doo perhaps not- but from your GP's point of view, it is fraud- and they could get into trouble for fraud.

Could you point out the law? You have been asked more than once & I have given you green rep recently

Sounds like the Dr should prune his lists after someone has not visited for 5 years & save the NHS money. What happens when people die?

It is a legal requirement as per NHS statutes- as linked above. For reasons stated.

When a patient dies, the practice is always notified, and the patient taken off the list. Simple.

When you move within the UK and register from another GP, the previous practice is notitifed and records transferred.

Please show this 'statute' or law?

What happens if they die abroad on 'holiday', must have been loads in Spain over the years? What about people who have both an NHS & Private Dr & the private DR signs the cause of death.

I have. Coroner is informed, practice is informed.

I wonder if the census will show less people alive over 80 than Dr's are charging for? Not filling in the census is an offence

It's against porsch1909 statutes to talk about this. Please refrain or I will be calling the police.

It was over 30 years ago, I had never ever been to see the doctor even though I was registered as a patient there and it never even occurred to me to deregister with them when we left the country.

I’m pretty sure they will have removed me from their books by now. The practice may not even be there anymore, the GP I was registered must have been retired for a good few years by now.

FAir enough- not talking about individual cases. But fact is, it is a legal requirement to de-register, both if you live in the UK and move (if you register with another GP that will be done automatically, but many wait until they become ill to register with new one- meaning the old one gets the fee) - and especially if you move abroad. It should be better publicised, for sure.


In your case, the Slough GP got the fee for 'looking after you'- perhaps for 5, 10 years. In such areas with massive movements of people, it adds to a lot of money. Over the country as a whole, millions. And yes, all over the world are people who have forgotten to deregister, or very intentionally did not, using a relative's address, etc, in order to get access, illegally, from NHS- often for very expensive treatment and operations (as experienced by OH and colleagues over his career- and often with money being exchanged under the table or quite significant 'presents' involved. Last post on subject.

You keep saying this but you haven't actually shown us which law it is. I think you might just be making stuff up....again....

It doesn't even have to be on a holiday.

The UK does not have a centralized database of all residents or citizens. It is probably one of the easiest countries in Europe to vanish under the radar, whether by intention or by accident. I don't believe the NHS, an organization not exactly famed for its ruthless efficiency, can type your name into a database and find your GP, just like that.

I love it when the EF armchair lawyers come out to play.

Well she is very highly qualified school teacher whose husband worked for the NHS as a Dr, being Swiss she can't possibly be wrong either.

I don't know how long you have been in CH but Swiss people never make mistakes, it's just not allowed

No mistakes.

Those are called learning steps.

From NHS website


Planning your healthcare abroad

If you're moving abroad on a permanent basis, you'll no longer automatically be entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system.

You'll have to notify your GP practice so you and your family can be removed from the NHS register.



Perhaos a drive to Barnard Castle would help?