Should ENT out-patients be seen in hospital or General Practitioners' surgeries?

This was a prospective trial involving 1000 consecutive patients attending an ENT out-patient department to assess the degree of investigation and procedures undertaken in routine practice. Results demonstrate that the majority of patients (both new and old) require a procedure which would necessitate either additional staff or equipment if the consultation occurred in a General Practitioner's (GP's) surgery. The results argue against out-patient clinics taking place in a GP's surgery.