Use of health care services
This report describes the pattern of consultations by adults with GPs in the last 12 months, and how this varies with age and sex, socioeconomic status, health-related behaviours and health status. Use of counselling or therapy services for a mental health, nervous or emotional problem in the last 12 months is also covered.
Highlights
- The overwhelming majority of adults aged 16 years and over reported being registered with a GP or family doctor (97% of men and 99% of women).
- 69% of men and 82% of women had talked to or visited a GP in the last 12 months. This proportion increased with age, especially among men. 57% of men and 78% of women aged 16 to 24 reported having talked to or visited a GP in the last 12 months compared with 85% of men and 87% of women aged 75 years and over.
- The proportion of adults having talked to or visited a GP in the last 12 months varied by body mass index (BMI) status. 80% of obese adults reported having talked to or visited a GP in the last 12 months, compared with 74% of overweight and normal weight adults.
- 84% said they had consulted their GP solely for a physical health problem, 5% for a mental health, nervous or emotional problem only and 11% had consulted for both types of problem in the last 12 months. Women (19%) were more likely than men (13%) to have discussed a mental health, nervous or emotional problem (with or without a physical health problem as well).
- The proportion of adults who had talked to or visited a GP in the last 12 months about a mental health problem (with or without a physical health problem as well) increased from 15% of adults in the highest income quintile to 25% of adults in the lowest income quintile.
- More women (10%) than men (7%) reported using counselling or therapy services for a mental health, nervous or emotional problem in the last 12 months.
Download the report and tables here.