BMA guidance: Removing violent patients and the special allocation scheme (25 March 2024)

Summary

When GP practices have a patient who is violent or exhibiting behaviour that makes them fear for their safety, the patient should immediately be removed from the practice list. This guidance from the BMA explains how to do this as well as outlining the special allocation scheme (SAS), which provides primary care medical services in a secure environment to patients who meet the criteria.

In the SAS, designated GP practices provide services to patients by appointment at specific locations and times as detailed in individually agreed contracts. Patients join the scheme after being immediately removed as a result of an incident that was reported to the police. It aims to protect GPs, practice staff and patients who have the right to be in the practice without fear of intimidating behaviour. 

Content

This guidance covers:

• When removal is appropriate
• The removal process
• The process after reporting the incident to Primary Care Support England (PCSE)