Deprived areas: Deprived of training?

Abstract

Health inequalities are a UK-wide health priority, but previous studies prior to expansion in GP training showed a deficit in training numbers in deprived areas. This study set out to examine whether this is still the case, using 2009 training practice data and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Training practices were found to be significantly less deprived and significantly larger when compared with nontraining practices. Practices with training status constituted 39% of the least deprived 20% of practices, compared with 23% of the most deprived 25%. The effect of deprivation persisted when practice size was taken into account. © British Journal of General Practice.