Contribution of a general-practitioner hospital.

A properly functioning general-practitioner hospital with good facilities including visiting consultants can greatly lighten the work load of the district general hospital. A general-practitioner hospital is described, run entirely by general practitioners, which cares for over 70% of the inpatients of a group practice. It deals with 98% of all who attend casualty, and carries out almost all of its x-ray work. Its facilities reduce the estimated demand for outpatient appointments at the district general hospital by almost half.The social advantages of a general-practitioner hospital are obvious, and there may be economic advantages as well. Moreover, such a hospital increases the attractiveness of general practice and improves its quality. It is suggested that the general-practitioner hospital is good for the patient, the community, and the doctor-and even the Treasury. There is room for many more.