Model workload agreement for DGH general surgeon: discussion paper.

A guideline programme for a Consultant General Surgeon includes three operating lists, and two outpatient sessions per week. A General Surgical Consultant working with a 'standard' surgical team should expect to see approximately 1,000 new patients per year, and undertake an elective operative workload of 15 'hernia equivalent' procedures per week. A model workload such as this might assist surgical service planners to estimate the need for surgical staff in their Districts.