As a GP Practice, we hold a strict clinical duty of care to safeguard the health and safety of our registered patients. However, a GP’s professional mandate is strictly focused on medical and clinical welfare. General Practice is not an emergency service and is not commissioned, funded, or resourced to carry out ad-hoc third-party welfare checks.
We have discussed this matter with our LMC and can offer the following information.
‘If third party organisations such as hospitals or pharmacies have concerns about a patient, for example if they have failed to attend an appointment or not collected medication, they should have their own systems in place for making contact and, if necessary, raising concerns about a patient directly with the relevant agencies.
That process might include contacting the registered GP practice to establish whether they are aware of any information that may be relevant to the situation, but that should not include a request for the practice to undertake a welfare check on their behalf.’
Additionally, you may find the below information useful:
- Immediate Danger or Risk to Life: Call 999 for police or ambulance services.
- Uncontactable or Vulnerable Person Concerns: If a third party cannot reach someone and is worried about their immediate wellbeing, local Social Services, the ambulance service (NHS 111) etc, then The College of Policing safe-and-well check guidelines apply, rather than the GP practice.
What to do if you’re concerned for someone’s welfare | Dorset Police