The Telegraph reports that an increasing number of GP are requesting permission to stop receiving new patients and have existing patients move elsewhere, as they are concerned over their ability to deliver their services. Figures show that last year 104 practices applied for permission to stop receiving new patients -more than double the amount of the previous year- while a further 45 asked to reduce their practice boundaries, with 100 facing the possibility of closure.
The figures have prompted fresh comments from GP leaders that general practice is “teetering on the brink of collapse”, with shortages in recruitment for GPs cited as a key factor, after it emerged that 11% of current GP training posts remain unfilled, compared to less than 1% a year ago.
