Specialist and GP contacts

The figures on specialist and GP contacts are taken from the health module of the continuous quality of life survey (POLS).  This survey is based on a representative sample of around 10 thousand persons per year. Respondents are asked how often they had visited their GP or a specialist in the 14 days preceding the interview. To calculate the average number of visits per year, this number is multiplied by 26.

As the figures are based on a sample, they are subject to a margin of error. Minor developments in time may fall within this margin and thus not be significant.