Figures on the numbers of patients who were seen by a general practitioner (GP) are not collected. Data on the estimated number of GP consultations, based on a sample, in England and the number of GPs in England are available and shown as follows. Data on estimated annual number of consultations per GP have been calculated by dividing the estimated number of GP consultations in England by the number of GPs in England. Estimates broken down by strategic health authorities, primary care trusts or MPs' constituencies are also not available.
Estimated number of GP consultations in England per year Number of GPs in England1 Estimated annual number of consultations per GP in England 1997 163,200,000 28,046 5,819 1998 158,200,000 28,251 5,600 1999 155,500,000 28,467 5,462 2000 155,100,000 28,593 5,424 2001 161,900,000 28,802 5,621 2002 162,100,000 29,202 5,551 2003 168,900,000 30,358 5,564 2004 170,900,000 31,523 5,421 2005 175,400,000 32,738 5,358 2006 181,400,000 33,091 5,482 2007 185,300,000 33,364 5,554 2008 189,000,000 34,010 5,557 1 Headcount—excluding registrars and retainers. Source: NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care/QResearch: Trends in Consultations Rates in General Practice 1995 to 2008: Analysis of the QResearch Database. The Information Centre for Health and Social Care, General and Personal Medical Services Statistics: Data as at 1 October 1997-99 and 30 September from 2000 onwards.
These data are published at the following websites:
www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/general-practice/trends-in-consultation-rates-in-general-practice--1995-2009
www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/nhs-staff-numbers