A family doctor has removed more than 130 Bradford patients from his list.

And Bradford's health watchdog said today patients would be shocked at being told to find a new doctor.

Dr Andrew Cole, of the New Cross Street Health Centre, off Manchester Road, has removed 131 patients, saying being unable to recruit a new partner meant he had to take action to have a manageable number of patients.

Lesley Sterling-Baxter, chief officer of Bradford's Community Health Council, said she could not think of another case like this.

"Patients value their relationship with their doctor and it will have been a shock to many to receive a letter out of the blue.

"They will be wondering how to find a GP that they feel confident with and can build a new relationship with."

She said: "Dr Cole is working within his rights but it's unusual." Dr Cole said he had worked as a family doctor in Bradford for 12 years. "It was with great reluctance that I found it necessary to remove a small number of patients from my list.

"I realised I needed to reduce the number of patients that I serve to a more manageable size as I have been working single-handedly since April when my former partner at the practice left.

"Since that time I have endeavoured to find another partner, though without success and this combined with other problems that I have encountered through the ill health of nursing and administration staff, meant that I had to take action in the best interests of all my patients.

"Unfortunately, though I went through the correct procedures, I was unable to write personally to those patients affected by my decision and I am sorry for any distress or inconvenience that they may have suffered.

"Even with the list reduced by 131, it still remains at 3,680 -- which is above the 3,500 figure considered the maximum advisable for a single-handed doctor. However, along with the practice staff and attached nursing staff, who have worked so hard in difficult circumstances, I will endeavour to ensure that patients on the list continue to receive a dedicated and high-quality service."

GPs' leader in Bradford Dr John Givans, of the Local Medical Committee, said: "We would be concerned if patients are not being given an explanation but if he has that number of patients he does need to do something about it."

John Hearnshaw, senior planning manager at Bradford Health Authority, said: "Dr Cole personally selected these patients, most of whom live some distance from his surgery and have access to other GPs more locally."

Doctors can remove patients from their lists without explanation. Anyone who needs help in registering with a GP should contact West Yorkshire Central Services Agency on 0113 295 2500.

e-mail: jan.winter@

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