Immunisation, rehydration, and transfusion.

The results of a survey of 64 Scottish general practitionerhospitals showed that in 1980 these hospitals contained3-3% of available staffed beds in Scotland; 13 6% of theresident population had access for initial hospital care,and 14-5% of Scottish general practitioners were on theirstaffs. During the year of the survey they discharged 1-8%of all non-surgical patients, treated almost 100 000patients for accidents and emergencies and 140 000 out-patients, and44% of all deliveries in Scotland werecarried out in the hospitals surveyed. Group PracticeCentre, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3IAJ J A GRANT, MRCP, MRCGP,general practitionerMost communities which are served by general prac-titioner hospitals in Scotland are rural and on average aremore than 30 miles from their nearest district generalhospital. The contribution that these small hospitalsmake to the overall hospital workload has not previouslybeen estimated. It has been shown nationally to be smallbut not inconsiderable. In terms of the contribution tothe health care of the communities they serve it cannotand should not be underestimated.