A review of the general practitioner obstetric service in Colchester 1970-1979.

I report here on an audit of the work of a general practitioner maternity unit situated in the same building as a consultant obstetric unit. Between 1970 and 1979, 10,588 patients were admitted under the care of general practitioner obstetricians. The perinatal mortality rate averaged 6.9. I show in the report how an audit of such a unit can be carried out, and demonstrate that general practitioner obstetricians still have a valid and useful place in a district obstetric service.