THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CENSUS-DERIVED SOCIOECONOMIC VARIABLES AND GENERAL-PRACTICE CONSULTATION RATES IN 3 TOWN CENTER PRACTICES

Background. The relationship between socio-economic factors and consul tation rates is important in determining resource allocation to genera l practices. Aim. To determine the relationship between general practi ce surgery consultation rates and census-derived socioeconomic variabl e's for patients receiving the same primary and secondary care. Method A retrospective analysis was taken of computerized records in three g eneral practices in Mansfield, North Nottinghamshire, with 29 142 pati ents spread over 15 electoral wards (Jarman score range from -23 to +2 5.5). Linear regression analysis of surgery consultation rates at ward and enumeration district levels was performed against Jarman and Town send deprivation scores and census socio-economic variables. Results. Both the Townsend score (r(2) = 59%) and the Jarman score (r(2) = 39%) were associated with surgery consultation rates at ward level. The To wnsend score had a stronger association than the Jarman score because all four of its component variables were individually associated with increased consultations compared with four out of eight Jarman compone nts. Conclusions. Even in practices not eligible for deprivation payme nts there were appreciable differences in consultation rates between a reas with different socio-economic characteristics. The results sugges t that the variables used to determine deprivation payments should be reconsidered, and they support suggestions that payments should be int roduced at a lower level of deprivation and administered on an enumera tion district basis.