A GP's patient load varies, but typical panel sizes range from 2,000 to 2,500 patients, though some have fewer (1,200) or significantly more (over 3,000), especially in underserved areas. Daily, GPs often see 4-5 patients per hour, but workload pressures push averages higher, with many exceeding the BMA's recommended safe limit of 25 contacts per day.
The European Union of General Practitioners and BMA have recommended a safe level of patient contacts per day in order for a GP to deliver safe care at not more than 25 contacts per day.
Number of patients per FTE fully qualified GP (September 2015 to October 2025) Figure 2: The average number of patients per GP has seen a substantial increase since 2015. There are 2,258 patients per GP as of May 2025, which is an increase of 17% since 2015 [2].
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the average patient panel size for a primary care physician in a traditional healthcare model is between 2,000 to 2,500 patients.
Unlike hospital doctors, GPs are not employed by the NHS – the practice works like a small business, receiving a sum of money per patient.
Average GP World General Practitioner hourly pay in London, England is approximately £89.98, which is 17% above the national average. Salary estimated from 58 past and present job postings on Indeed.
In short, yes, your GP is able to admit you to hospital. In fact, GP approval is often recommended if you are planning a stay in hospital.
Despite a reduction from the 37 contacts reported in Pulse's survey last year, this year's average of 31 is still above the BMA's recommended 'safe working' limit of 25 contacts per day. Only 13% of GPs responding to this question reported between 21 and 25 contacts per day (see box).
Number of patients seen per hour
Longer and shorter sessions are possible and will change your annual earnings. Typically, GPs will average 4–5 patients per hour but this is largely dependent on your patient profile and practice mix.
The country with the most doctors per capita is Cuba, with 8.4 doctors per 1,000 people. Cuba, which has a population of about 11 million, is known for producing well-trained doctors and often sends many of their doctors abroad to other countries.
The average patient visits their GP surgery 3.3 times per year but there are a group of patients who make a disproportionately higher number of visits to GP clinics – often coined 'frequent attenders'. Frequent attendees visit their GP five times more than other patients.
From today (1 October 2025), patients will be able to request appointments, ask questions and describe symptoms online throughout the day rather than calling their surgery or visiting in person. This will help free up practice phone lines for those who need them most, and make it more convenient to access appointments.
Considering the number of registered medical practitioners of both modern medicine (MBBS) and traditional medicine (AYUSH), India has already achieved the World Health Organization recommended doctor to population ratio of 1:1,000 the “Golden Finishing Line” in the year 2018 by most conservative estimates.
Life as a GP
A full-time working week usually comprises of eight sessions, which equates to four days. A typical day in the practice normally starts at around 8am when you'll check paperwork before seeing patients.
Assuming 80% of registered practitioners in both allopathic and AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) systems are available, the doctor-population ratio in the country is estimated to be 1:811, the Health Ministry said.
Assuming that 80% of registered practitioners in both the allopathic and AYUSH systems are available, the doctor-population ratio in the country is estimated to be 1:811. It is worth to note that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1000.
Family practice is the practicing vocation of the majority doctors in India. The practitioners of FM include general practitioners, family physicians, FM specialists, and medical officers in the public sector. Medical students are largely unaware about FM career as this concept is not introduced at MBBS level.
The core of it is this: if after three appointments a GP has not been able to offer a substantiated diagnosis, or if the patient's symptoms have escalated, they should pause, review and reconsider whether the current diagnosis is correct, and reassess what else might be going on.
The U.S. Space Force oversees GPS satellite launches and presents forces to U.S. Space Command to operate GPS on behalf of the Department of Defense, providing 24/7 operations to ensure uninterrupted service.
In its guide to 'Safe working in general practice', the BMA recommends that: A safe level of patient contacts for a GP is not more than 25 per day. However, the number of daily contacts considered 'safe' may vary according to the above factors.
GPs are independent contractors working for the NHS, and do not receive a salary. Each practice has individual funding, calculated through a complex process of national guidelines and local negotiations.
In doctor ranks, the lowest level is general practitioner, and the highest rank is ordinary. 1- (Dr.) General Practitioner: The general practitioner's duties include examining patients, writing prescriptions and reports.
If a patient has made a sexual advance, the doctor may end the professional relationship following the guidance in Ending your professional relationship with a patient. However, a doctor must not end a professional relationship with a patient solely to pursue a personal relationship with them.