An article [link below] appeared in the BMA News in January 2012 illustrating why, from a purely practical point of view, GP practice boundaries exist. I have blogged previously with examples from our own practice [link below].
The article makes a number of important points: looking after people at some distance from the practice is time consuming. Not only is it difficult to look after these individuals well and safely, but to do so will impact on the service as a whole (so the service and care to the local population is affected).
This is why practice boundaries exist Click here
Examples of patient care at a distance Click here
One GP's Protest 