Northern Ireland GP Practices – the stats…
General Medical Services for Northern Ireland has recently produced its statistics for 2020/2021 in relation to Family Practitioner Services in Northern Ireland.
The report, which is produced annually contains high level summary information in relation to General Practitioners (GPs), GP Practices and Registered Patients including registration activity.
For the first time, the report contains data broken down by GP Federation.
GP Federations have been established in Northern Ireland to support and protect GP Practices and to deliver the transformation agenda in Health and Social care.
As of June 2016, there are 17 Federations incorporated. They cover 1.8 million patient population with virtually 100% participation from GP Practices covering all areas of Northern Ireland. The GP Federations are owned entirely by GPs.
The report makes interesting reading as it tracks changes in the number of GP Practices across Northern Ireland, changes in GP numbers, and average payments per registered GP user as well as information on registered patients.
You can find out more information about GP Federations here - http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/our-work/integrated-care/gps/gp-federations/
You might be surprised to learn that there has been a 3% increase in the number of GPs in Northern Ireland over the last year. There are now 1,410 active GPs (headcount) across Northern Ireland at 31st March 2021.
This has been a 3% increase in the number of GPs since 2020 and a 19% increase since 2014. However, it doesn’t take in to account full-time and part-time working so may not reflect an actual increase in GP hours.
It is also interesting to see the difference in demographic between the age groups of GPs with female GPs being the predominant group in the younger age brackets – (23 to 49 years) with males increasing in numbers as the age bracket increases. 68% of GPs are male in the 60+ years category.
In terms of patient numbers in Northern Ireland, there are just under 2,007,000 individuals on the index of patients registered with a GP Practice at 31st March 2021. This includes an increase of 44,000 new patients/first time registrations in Northern Ireland.
Unsurprisingly, Belfast Local Government District (LGD) has the highest number of patients registered with GP Practices and Lisburn & Castlereagh LGD sit with the lowest number of patients registered.
To view the full report click here - https://hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3174.htm
Family Practitioner Services (FPS) is part of the BSO’s Operations Directorate, it maintains the central register of patients registered with GP Practices in Northern Ireland as well as issuing medical cards and processing changes in contact information.
FPS also provides professional advice, support and information to customers and members of the public and maintains the pharmaceutical, dental and the Northern Ireland Primary Medical Performers lists.
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