Tavistock&Villages Initiative

The Local Medical Committee uses a formula to identify if there is a sufficient number of GPs and this is based on the raw patient list size, the age of the patients and the number of whole time equivalent GPs. Although the South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT) is formally regarded as slightly ‘over-doctored’, it has been allowed to recruit up to 3% extra doctors during last year (2002/03) and this year (2003/04).

There are 5 GP surgeries in the Tavistock area with a total of 21 GPs (17.75 whole time equivalents). Some of these operate branches in adjacent villages, such as the Yelverton surgery for Princetown. As a result of the approval to recruit more doctors, Tavistock should shortly benefit from an additional 0.25 whole time equivalent GPs. After April 2004, decisions to increase the number of GPs will become the responsibility of each practice.

There are currently 6 dental practices in the Tavistock area with a total of 11 Dentists; this means that there are 2600 residents to each dentist. Across the whole PCT area, 40% of patients have a NHS dentist although the numbers of new NHS registrations are decreasing dramatically.

	S3.2 Numbers of doctors and dentists
	The Local Medical Committee uses a formula to identify if there is a sufficient number of GPs and this is based on the raw patient list size, the age of the patients and the number of whole time equivalent GPs. Although the South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT) is formally regarded as slightly ‘over-doctored’, it has been allowed to recruit up to 3% extra doctors during last year (2002/03) and this year (2003/04). There are 5 GP surgeries in the Tavistock area with a total of 21 GPs (17.75 whole time equivalents). Some of these operate branches in adjacent villages, such as the Yelverton surgery for Princetown. As a result of the approval to recruit more doctors, Tavistock should shortly benefit from an additional 0.25 whole time equivalent GPs. After April 2004, decisions to increase the number of GPs will become the responsibility of each practice. There are currently 6 dental practices in the Tavistock area with a total of 11 Dentists; this means that there are 2600 residents to each dentist. Across the whole PCT area, 40% of patients have a NHS dentist although the numbers of new NHS registrations are decreasing dramatically.
	‘Reinstatement of NHS dentistry/more dentists.’ One of several similar comments from community consultation events 2002 ‘Need for a part time doctor’s surgery in Horrabridge, perhaps 1 afternoon and 1 morning per week.’ Comment from community consultation events 2002
	Strategic Aims: Older People; Assist health and care providers with delivering key improvements