Doctors Surgery is closing

Gael23

I need some advice.
I have heard rumours that my GPs surgery is closing down and the doctors are all moving on to different practices. Although it's not certain I believe it's true so I just want some advice to where I stand as a patient.
Firstly I'm a medical card holder and many practices in my area are not accepting new medical card patients so do I just have to find one that will take me or given the situation is there some flexibility?
Most importantly my medical records, will I be contacted and asked to collect them before the place closes?

L1011

If the practice is entirely closing the HSE will reassign the list and will usually do some attempt at ensuring records are transferred - I was involved in one case where the new GP actually managed to get them to pay for reinstalling the archaic PMR the old surgery had.

It is possible, depending on how the lists were set up, that the GPs will take their own patients with them to their new practices. Worst case scenario is that you'll just be assigned a GP by the HSE.

Gael23

MYOB wrote: »

It is possible, depending on how the lists were set up, that the GPs will take their own patients with them to their new practices. Worst case scenario is that you'll just be assigned a GP by the HSE.

My card has the name of the Principal on it and she is setting up a cosmetic surgery clinic and the story going is that the other 2 doctors are going separate ways so I don't know how that works as regards lists.
Can the HSE say to me we have signed you up with X doctor and I have no input to weather it's someone I am happy to see?

L1011

ryanf1 wrote: »

Can the HSE say to me we have signed you up with X doctor and I have no input to weather it's someone I am happy to see?

Yes. You'll have the same right to choose doctor as you do now - which in many areas means no ability at all due to no other surgeries taking on anyone.

If you're in a rural area you might end up having a succession of HSE employed locum doctors operating out of whatever space they can find them - a GMS list does not have the income it once had and I've known of cases where it has taken years to find someone willing to take one on long-term.

Gael23

MYOB wrote: »

Yes. You'll have the same right to choose doctor as you do now - which in many areas means no ability at all due to no other surgeries taking on anyone.

If you're in a rural area you might end up having a succession of HSE employed locum doctors operating out of whatever space they can find them - a GMS list does not have the income it once had and I've known of cases where it has taken years to find someone willing to take one on long-term.

I'm in Waterford City but its still not easy. I left my previous doctor 4 years ago which was the same doctor I had since I was born, and my parents would have gone there before then and still do so we're talking nearly 25 years. Their secretaries say they have reached their quota but given I was there before I wonder would that give any flexibility.

Gael23

I got a letter from the HSE today stating that as of Good Friday the practice will will be resigning its GMS list and will only be seeing private patients. It gave the name of a doctor that our records would be sent to and said we would become patients of that doctor for a period of 3 months while the recruitment process is ongoing.
Where do I stand?

RobFowl

ryanf1 wrote: »

I got a letter from the HSE today stating that as of Good Friday the practice will will be resigning its GMS list and will only be seeing private patients. It gave the name of a doctor that our records would be sent to and said we would become patients of that doctor for a period of 3 months while the recruitment process is ongoing.
Where do I stand?

You are allocated to that Doctor for 3 months but if you find another to take you on which you would prefer you are entitled to change.

Gael23

RobFowl wrote: »

You are allocated to that Doctor for 3 months but if you find another to take you on which you would prefer you are entitled to change.

What happens after the 3 months?

RobFowl

ryanf1 wrote: »

What happens after the 3 months?

It depends tbh. The HSE may advertise the list and you would be transferred to the GP who was successful. If there are no other applicants they may permanently transfer the list to "locum" or temporary GP.
You can at any stage register with another GP who agrees to take you.

L1011

The list, if advertised, will be on publicjobs.ie from memory - so check there. Will give you some indication of what's happening; will also show the size of the list - the bigger, the more chance it'll find a new contractor.

Gael23

MYOB wrote: »

The list, if advertised, will be on publicjobs.ie from memory - so check there. Will give you some indication of what's happening; will also show the size of the list - the bigger, the more chance it'll find a new contractor.

What categoryt would it be under? Im looking at medical jobs but done see any GMS lists

RobFowl

ryanf1 wrote: »

What categoryt would it be under? Im looking at medical jobs but done see any GMS lists

They are not advertised on publicjobs.is they are advertised on the HSE site here http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Medical_Dental/General_Practitioners/

Gael23

RobFowl wrote: »

They are not advertised on publicjobs.is they are advertised on the HSE site here http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Medical_Dental/General_Practitioners/

Its not there yet but we only got the letters today

L1011

RobFowl wrote: »

They are not advertised on publicjobs.is they are advertised on the HSE site here http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Medical_Dental/General_Practitioners/

Oops, knew it was on a state job site I would have looked at in the past anyway.

Gael23

It seems that the gms list is locked and people wishing to move to a different gprs cannot do so at the moment.
Does this make sense?

L1011

During the period its being advertised that would make sense - "list of 800 people and falling like a stone" wouldn't attract many people.

Gael23

MYOB wrote: »

During the period its being advertised that would make sense - "list of 800 people and falling like a stone" wouldn't attract many people.

So does that mean I have no choice but to transfer to this temporary doctor for 3 months?

Gael23

I have found out that the GMS List is being transferred to this temporary panel for three months and only then will the list be advertised. According to this newspaper article the place had a list of about 1,000 patients
I have sent in a change of doctor form but am sort of expecting it to be refused.

L1011

Did you get another surgery to accept you?

Gael23

Yes but im not sure if the HSE will allow me change