The College of Optometrists

A practice close by to ourselves is closing down. The area is very derelict. We have been offerred the chance to buy the patients records of the practice (there are approx 5000). Has anyone done this. If so, whats the approx price one should pay per record card. Did you manage to retain many patients, ie. is it worhwhile buying records in this manner??

I bought some patient records about 2 years ago. I only paid for active records i.e. those that were 2 year old or less. I paid £1.00 per record. It has been worthwhile. They have been added to our recall and most patients seem to be happy with us contacting them. I also got the old practice to put posters up in their practice letting px's know what was happening and also an advert was put in the local paper. Clinically the cards did not help much but it is handy having there old Px and dispensing details.

Seamus makes sense providing the closing practice complied with the notices of transfer. You can get 5K records for say 1K if you apply his criteria which can provide 5K reminders leading to 4K patients active total cost say £2K including postage. On the other hand if they won't provide, or sell for a reasonable amount you get most of the Px anyway. Still however worth a gamble.