Creating a general practice data set: new role for Northumberland Local Medical Committee.

As a first step in planning primary care services for a whole district, the Northumberland Local Medical Committee undertook a postal survey of all 51 practices in the county. Questionnaires were returned by 154 doctors (95%). Information was collected from every practice on doctors' qualifications and postgraduate training, aspects of professional commitments in addition to patient care, professional appointments outside the practice, and clinical services being offered by the practice.