NHS GP checking I’m still alive

All practices run audits to identify those they haven't seen in a while to check they still need to be on their patient lists. Those who have moved away are referred to as 'ghosts' and they will be penalised by the Integrated Care Board if they have too many of them, as they get paid per number of patients on their lists.

My son lost his NHS dentist this way. The letter never got to him.

I'm glad to hear you have excellent health and haven't been in need of a GP.

No, no letter ,but they know I m alive as I go for my injections and although I only take two tablets I order them every six weeks

I’ve had the same. I presume it’s so they know they can keep sending waste-of-NHS-money letters and emails offering unwanted tests and other things they get paid for.
Our GP practice is so appallingly useless I don’t intend ever contacting them again.

I get the occasional one. I seldom have to see my GP anyway, and I'm not one for yearly MOT's.

When I move, the first things on my list are to give my new details to the GP, Opticians, and Dentist; again, I seldom need to see them, also, but at least they have my details in case they think I've snuffed it! And I just reply to them that, as of at the moment, I'm very much alive and kicking!

My son received the letter too.

I had a letter informing me that one person was going to be my health contact, thats going to be interesting because I haven't seen a GP for 2 yrs, just phone calls from someone Ive never heard of.
Only reason I go in is to have a bloodtest or vaccination.

The old days of GPs knowing who you are and what your situation is (without looking at a screen instead of at you) are long gone. I guess they're all looking for ways to reduce their workload so, in one respect, deleting people who won't ever want their services again seems like a good idea. On the other hand, care-by-numbers does seem rather cold...

I have recently changed GP surgery but was warned by them such letters may be going out but I'm assuming as I've recently signed with them, that they know I'm still living.
As an aside, this morning I did an online request to them for a physio assessment and treatment, and received a text back later this morning giving me an in-person physio appointment in a couple of weeks, so can't complain at the quick response and appointment offer. A far cry from the terrible GP practice I have now left.

The should send the letters to the GPs themselves as we never get to see a real GP and our nominated GP only works 2 days a week. We are usually deflected by the rude receptionists ("go to a&e or the walk in centre if it's urgent" or we see a school kid who fills in a spreadsheet when we do manage to get appointment "

i remember years ago Dad went to see a Dr this was in the days of only one or two in practice and they knew you and family. It turned out he was still registered at the flat him and mum lived at 5 years before. he had a septic thumb from catching it on a lorry bed at the rubbish tip. there is a photo of him at the jam factory he worked at and had driven the lorry for to the tip at the Xmas dinner with a big bandaged thumb. he had not been to the Dr as they kept giving him big needled injections in his bottom! anyway this was for him putting his back out but he still soldiered on at work despite that.

Never say never 😉 at our age especially.

My DD lived with me for 18 months a few years ago so registered at the local surgery. She saw a doctor once, then after living with me, moved to Dubai so didn't move her registration as she came home from time to time. On her return she lived elsewhere for over a year but still requested medication online but changed pharmacy so she could collect. They never queried that. She moved back here last week, needed to see a doctor so got an appointment and picked up exactly where she left off! I guess if you are on regular medication and keep requesting it, albeit online, never darkening their doors they won't ask.

I think GP’s have a maximum of patients, so deleting those no longer pertinent allows new ones.

I had the same letter this week. I had seen the nurse for my annual check up 2 weeks ago. I went online and confirmed address. OH hasn't had a letter.