Survey of services to patients in general practice

Family doctors vary in the range of services they provide for their patients. Of 267 practices in Devon and Cornwall, 245 responded to a questionnaire sent in September 1989 asking for information about services to patients. Most doctors consulted at six to eight patients per hour, whether or not an appointment system operated. About two-thirds of patients had access to a female GP. Nine out of ten practices employed a practice nurse. Almost all offered a surgery on Saturday mornings. Most surgeries took the phone over at 8.30 a.m. in the week and started consulting at 9 a.m. Almost half were consulting until 6.30 p.m. or later on at least one day per week. 80% of practices were offering a non-urgent appointment on the same or next day. All practices offered childhood immunisation. 80% offered some form of personal list system. 80% offered minor operations, one-third manipulations, 10% homeopathy, 6% hypnosis and 5% acupuncture.