How Many Patients Should a G.P. Have? A Review of Policies, Concepts and Data

This report has been written in response to the question posed by the Department of Health and Social Security: what is a reasonable list size for a general medical practitioner to provide an adequate level of care?

The report does not contain the results of any original research; rather, it attempts to draw upon the existing literature in order to build up a coherent basis from Which further research might proceed. Some possible topics for future investigation are set out at the end of the report, but the execution of those investigations will naturally depend upon the Department's views about their importance and value.