DIRECT LISTING FOR TONSILLECTOMY BY GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the suitability of `direct listing' of patients for tonsillectomy by their General Practi tioner. All General Practitioners were issued guidelines outlining the indications and contraindications for direct listing. One hundred con secutive patients, referred over a 6-month period, were screened by an otolaryngologist. Thirty-three of these patients were referred inappr opriately. The high rate of inappropriate referrals would suggest that this is an unacceptable practice.