Table 6 Summary data of the general functional and structural characteristics of the practices

Primary care doctors

5.4 (2.7); Partners 4.2 (2.2); sessions covered 36.4 (20.0); appointments per week 515 (345)

Primary care nurses

3.1 (1.6); sessions covered 17.7 (10.5)

At least one GP or nurse with diploma training

26 have both GP and a nurse; 8 have only a GP; 15 have only a nurse; 23 have neither a GP nor a nurse; 27 not reported

Healthcare Assistants

1.1 (0.9); sessions covered 7.1 (8.8)

Number of reception/administrative staff

11.7 (6.7)

Staff turnover

Clinical staff (GPs and Nurses)

15 practices reported turnover of up to two clinical staff members in the previous twelve months. In all practices these had been replaced.

Admin staff (all clerical and admin)

61 practices reported turnover of up to two admin staff members in the previous twelve months. In all but 5 practices these had been replaced.

Meetings

Practice

Held by 83 practices; monthly* for 1.5 hours; majority (52) include all practice staff

Partner

Held by 75 practices; monthly* for 1.5 hours; 27 GPs only; 48 included other staff, but most frequent combination was partners and practice manager (36).

Clinical meetings

Held by 71 practices; monthly* for one hour; 44 exclusively for clinical staff; 27 included non-clinical staff

Administrative meetings

Held by 66 practices; quarterly* for one hour; 66 include all admin staff.

Educational meetings

Held by 83 practices; 39 at least monthly and 36 at least quarterly, remainder bi-annual or annual, duration varied from one hour to protected half-day sessions: 44, all staff attend; 33, clinical staff only