Table 1.

History of Changes in GPs’ Statutory Duties

Time	Legislation	The GP Job Description
1946	National Health Service Act, 1946. (S.I. 1946 c.81)	Providing medical advice, prescriptions and referrals to patients.
1973	National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 (S.I. 1973 c.32)	Increased post responsibility for vaccinating or immunizing people against diseases.
1974	The National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1974 (S.I. 1974/160)	Including maternity medical services into the scope of GPs’ services.
1975	The National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment Regulations 1975 (S.I. 1975/719)	Including the provision of contraceptive services in the list of medical services provided by GPs. Fee support is available to GPs who provide contraceptive services.
1989	The National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989 /1897)	Adding child health monitoring services, minor surgery services to the treatment list of GPs; Requiring GPs to consult on the health status of newly registered patients within 28 days, including: past history of illness, family history of genetic disease, immunization, employment status, lifestyle habits, etc.