Table 1

Comparison of study practices with practices in the rest of England

CharacteristicsPilot practices n=36Rest of England n=7705p Value*
Mean (SD) number of patients11 023 (3522)7321 (4418)<0.001
Mean (SD) % of patients aged (years)
 0–46.2 (2.0)6.0 (1.7)0.430
 5–1410.6 (3.1)11.5 (2.6)0.029
 <1820.3 (4.1)20.9 (4.2)0.385
 65+14.7 (6.2)16.9 (6.7)0.051
 85+2.1 (1.1)2.2 (1.2)0.597
% Male patients49.9 (1.8)50.1 (2.4)0.604
Mean (SD) IMD score (2015)†22.1 (13.4)23.7 (11.8)0.422
Mean (SD) IDACI‡20.1 (9.6)18.8 (11.2)0.446
Mean (SD) IDAOPI§18.4 (9.1)20.5 (10.3)0.200
% Patients in paid work/full-time education66.5 (10.4)60.8 (8.7)<0.001
% Patients unemployed4.8 (4.0)6.2 (5.1)0.134
% Patients who would recommend practice (definitely/probably)79.9 (8.1)77.1 (12.7)0.188
% Patients satisfied with phone access (very/fairly)72.0 (15.6)76.6 (17.4)0.109
% Patients satisfied with opening hours (very/fairly)77.0 (5.9)75.7 (9.3)0.385
% Patients saw/spoke to nurse/GP same/next day43.4 (10.1)48.8 (14.9)0.031
% Patients reporting good overall experience of making an appointment (very/fairly)71.9 (9.5)75.1 (13.5)0.152
% Patients who know how to make out of hours GP appointment55.8 (9.7)56.3 (10.9)0.753
% Patients with long standing health condition50.6 (8.2)54.0 (8.0)0.011
% Patients with caring responsibilities15.7 (4.7)18.1 (5.1)0.006
Mean (SD) QoF points96.9 (6.9)94.8 (6.9)0.074
Mean (SD) Life expectancy (years)84.0 (1.5)82.9 (1.9)0.002
Mean (SD) GP FTE5.7 (1.8)4.6 (3.2)0.026
Mean (SD) Nurse FTE3.4 (1.5)1.9 (1.6)<0.001
Mean (SD) Admin FTE11.2 (3.6)8.1 (5.0)<0.001
  • 2 for categorical variables; t-test for continuous variables.

  • †The higher the score, the higher the level of deprivation.

  • ‡The higher the score, the higher the level of deprivation.

  • §The higher the score, the higher the level of deprivation.

  • FTE, full-time equivalent; GP, general practitioner; IDACI, Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index; IDAOPI, Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index; IMD, Index of Multiple Deprivation; QoF, quality and outcomes framework.