Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost to the NHS of (a) a 12 minute GP consultation and (b) a walk-in accident and emergency visit without treatment was in the last period for which figures are available.

The estimated average unit cost of a general practitioner (GP) consultation (which can include treatment) lasting 11.7 minutes¹ is £37; and an attendance at a type 4 Accident and Emergency department (National Health Service walk-in centres) requiring no admission to hospital, no investigation and no significant treatment has a unit cost of £33.

Sources:

Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2013, Personal Social Services Research Unit University of Kent

2013-14 reference costs², Department of Health

Notes:

1. Includes direct care staff costs but excludes qualification costs.

2. Reference costs are the average unit cost to National Health Service (NHS) trusts and foundation trusts of providing defined services in a given financial year to NHS patients.