Good Medical Practice: Ending your professional relationship with a patient

1. 38. In rare circumstances, the trust between you and a patient may break down, and you may find it necessary to end the professional relationship. For example, this may occur if a patient has been violent to you or a colleague, has stolen from the premises, or has persistently acted inconsiderately or unreasonably. You should not end a relationship with a patient solely because of a complaint the patient has made about you or your team, or because of the resource implications* of the patient’s care or treatment.
2. 39. Before you end a professional relationship with a patient, you must be satisfied that your decision is fair and does not contravene the guidance in paragraph 7. You must be prepared to justify your decision. You should inform the patient of your decision and your reasons for ending the professional relationship, wherever practical in writing.
3. 40. You must take steps to ensure that arrangements are made promptly for the continuing care of the patient, and you must pass on the patient’s records without delay.

* If you charge fees, you may refuse further treatment for patients unable or unwilling to pay for services you have already provided. You must follow the guidance in paragraph 39.