Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the alleged practice of GP surgeries receiving payments for so-called ghost patients still registered at that GP practice but who have died or moved to a different area.

NHS England has confirmed that Capita will shortly recommence list maintenance for all practices across England in accordance with NHS England policy, guidance and agreed standard operating procedures. This is to ensure that the lists of registered patients are as accurate as possible. General practitioner (GP) practice list maintenance is part of NHS England’s contract with Primary Care Support England, which is delivered by Capita. GP practices also have a duty to maintain their registered patient lists in a current and accurate state.