Thank you for this ThatBags: '"Under the initiative, those who have not seen their GP for five years will be sent two letters asking them to respond.
"If they do not reply saying they still wish to be registered with their doctor, they will be removed from the practice list.
"The idea is to find out whether patients no longer require services or have moved house, left the country or died.",
it makes perfect sense- anyone moving to new area should de-register from their GP and re-register with a new one- but many just don't bother and stay on the books forever.
Those who emigrate btw, must de-register by law- but 1000s of expats do not- and return regularly for treatment in the UK, illegally and un-checked. I had a 'free prescription card that was valid for many years after we moved- but never used it as it would have been fraudulent- but I know many continue to use them.