Workforce data reveal 40% difference in GPs per patient between English regions

[Northerner]

Across England as a whole there are 1,364 patients per GP, according to experimental statistics published on Tuesday by NHS DIgital.

But variation between regions is marked. In North Central and East London (NCEL) - which has the most GPs per patient - each primary care doctor looks after 1,122 patients on average, while in the East Midlands there are 1,572 patients per GP - 40% more than the NCEL total.

The figures also reveal slow growth in GP numbers over the past six months. Total full-time equivalent GP numbers in England rose 323 to 34,914 from 30 September 2015 to 31 March 2016, the data show. But excluding registrars, retainers and locums, the rise was just 65.

http://www.gponline.com/workforce-d...s-per-patient-english-regions/article/1410197

 

[mikeyB]

By contrast, when I was a single handed GP I had 2,300 patients (approx). It wasn't a great strain, and that was close to the norm. Is this why we are short of GPs?

 

[Amigo]

I had a GP many years ago who was a 'lone ranger' in every sense of the word. The biggest difference now seems to be the bureaucracy around the job, performance management figures and computer work. My GP spends as much time typing as he does speaking particularly if you're sorting a 'Choose and Book' appointment. I wonder too if expectations are so much greater now. So many patients have already consulted Dr. Google before going in and need dissuading that they have the bubonic plague or dengue fever. It's a double edge sword.
Up to 60 patients a day per GP is ludicrous and unsafe. So many of them are part time now too.