ABSTRACT
Practices where a high percentage of patients join and leave each year usually believe that this adds to their workload. Is this true?
Responding to the needs of new patients includes undertaking new patient checks, for which the practice receives an item-ofservice payment (£7.80 in 1999). However, new patients may create extra work in other ways which do not lead to any additional financial reimbursement. If they have moved house they may not register with a GP until they have an urgent medical problem, and responding effectively to someone whose medical history and family background is unfamiliar may demand extra time.
