GP Workforce

Statistical Publication Notice

29 January 2008

Information on Scottish general practices, their populations and their GPs

INTRODUCTION

The information released is in two main parts. The first part presents data on GPs in post in Scotland for 2004 to 2007. Information is presented on the age and gender profile of these GPs, also on the type of GP contract they hold (including salaried, retainee and registrar performers) at Scotland, CHP and NHS Board level.

The second part of the release gives information on the practices and the patients registered with them, including

The broad age distribution of patients at NHS Board and CHP level
The deprivation and urban/rural status of practice populations.

KEY POINTS

There has been a steady increase in the headcount of GPs in post over the last 4 years, rising from 4456 in 2004 to 4721 in 2007 (an increase of 5.9%).
The number of female GPs in post has increased from 2026 in 2004 to 2293 in 2007 (an increase of 13.2%).
There has been a large rise in the headcount of salaried GPs, from 188 in 2004 to 408 in 2007 (an increase of 117%).

INTERPRETATION

At least part of the increase in headcount may be due to an increase in the number of GPs working part-time, however whether GPs work full-time or part-time is not available from these data.

DETAILED FINDINGS

There has been a steady increase in the headcount of GPs in post over the last 4 years, rising from 4456 in 2004 to 4721 in 2007 (an increase of 5.9%).

At least part of the increase in headcount may be due to an increase in the number of GPs working part-time, however whether GPs work full-time or part-time is not available from these data.

There has been a large rise in the headcount of salaried GPs, from 188 in 2004 to 408 in 2007 (an increase of 117%). In 2004 salaried GP contracts represented 4.5% of all fully qualified GPs (i.e. excluding registrars) compared with 9.2% in 2007.

The number of female GPs in post has increased from 2026 in 2004 to 2293 in 2007 (an increase of 13.2%, compared to a 0.1% decrease for males over the same period). Female GPs continue to account for an increasing proportion of the overall GP workforce. The percentage of fully qualified female GPs, compared with all qualified GPs (performer, performer salaried and performer retainee), in 2007 was 47.7% compared with 44.1% in 2004, an increase of 3.6%.

The average list size of GP practices in Scotland is 5315 as at 1st October 2007. This is based on data from 1029 practices.

It is anticipated that much of the information presented including deprivation and urban/rural status of populations, will be useful as a resource for the NHS, the Scottish and other governments, general practices, research bodies and others.

Longer term trend information on GP workforce (back to the year 1997) is published on ISD's main workforce pages at www.isdscotland.org/workforce.

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MAIN CONTACTS:

Alistair Smith
Information Analyst
0131 275 6784
Alistair.Smith4@nhs.net

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GLOSSARY:

GP - General Medical Practitioner.
GP Registrar - A medical practitioner who is being trained in general practice. GP Retainee - A GP who can be utilised by a practice as they are required. This primarily aims to allow female GPs returning to work after maternity leave to keep in touch with medicine, but it does not exclude men. Salaried GP - A GP who is employed by the practice or by the NHS Board on a salaried basis

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