About GP Links Removals
A GP Links removal is an electronic message created by a practice’s clinical system when requesting a removal of a patient from your practice.
These messages ensure that patient records are updated on the Personal Demographics Service (PDS).
Types of Patient Removals not to be submitted via GP Links
There are scenarios where certain types of patient removals should not be submitted via GP Links:
- Immediate removals occur following violent behaviour – needs to meet specific criteria
- 8-Day removals occur following the breakdown in patient-practice relationship – needs to meet specific criteria
- Patient requested removals – needs to meet specific criteria
Types of Patient Removals submitted via GP Links
The table below explains the accepted types of patient removals that can be submitted via GP Links.
Please note that any deductions with future removal dates, for example, 30-day removals, will not be actioned until the expiry of the 30-day period or if the patient registers with a new practice within that timeframe.
Removal Type | Criteria | PCSE Action |
|---|---|---|
Deceased | Notification can be received either from the General Registration Office or from the practice | Immediate Removal |
Embarkation | Patient has left the country for a period of over 3 months | Immediate Removal |
Out of Practice Area | Patient has moved to an address that is no longer in your practice area. Practice should send a GP Links Amendment with the patient’s new address and a GP Links Removal requesting the patient to be removed. If the new address of the patient is unknown submit the removal with the GP message ‘Address Unknown’ | Patients are placed on a 30-day pending removal. A letter is sent by PCSE to the patient’s new address or if unknown to the address held on PDS advising them that they are to be removed on a particular date and will need to register with a new practice closer to their new address.
|
Unable to Contact/Non Responders/Whereabouts Unknown(This removal also cover patients who have been placed on FP69 and you have not been able to confirm their detail. You can remove the patient before the FP69 expiry date) | Patients who you have not been able to contact and you are unable to provide a new address can be requested to be removed from the practice list. Practice should state in the GP message that the patient is whereabouts unknown. This will prevent the removal being rejected asking for more details. | These patients will be placed on a 30-day removal. PCSE will not send a letter to the patient advising them that they are to be removed from the practice |
Left Education | Patients who have left education and you have not been able to provide new details can be removed immediately from the practice list. You will need to add a GP message to the removal stating the patient has left education. | Patient will be removed immediately and no letter will be sent to the patient. |
Out of Area Scheme | If a patient has moved out of the practice area, but you are willing to treat them under their new address as an out of area patient you will need to request a deduction. You should add one of the standard GP messages eg: OOAR | PCSE will deduct these immediately allowing you to re-register the patient on the scheme
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Out of Area Scheme standard text
Listed below are the suggested Out of Area Scheme standard texts that you should enter into the free text field when submitting this type of GP Links removal:
- 'OUT OF AREA REG'
- 'OOAR'
- 'OUT OF AREA SCHEME'
- 'OOA REG'
- 'PC-OOA'
- 'PCS-OOA'
- 'REGISTRATION UNDER OUT OF AREA SCHEME'
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