Comparative female to male consultation rates in NHS primary care: extrapolation to the Royal Navy.

Prevailing wisdom accepts that women consult their GP more often than men. Those with a modicum of interest will know that across the NHS, all ages and all social classes for all grades of consultation, the approximate ratio is two female consultations for one male consultation. However, if the figures are carefully sifted to identify that group most clearly akin to Royal Naval personnel, the gap widens. The following figures and discussion describe how in Naval personnel's age, class and illness matched groups, extrapolating from NHS experience, the 'typical' Royal Naval 'Wren' might be expected to present as a fresh case (including family planning and pregnancy) three times more commonly and consult an RN GP four times more frequently than her male counterpart. In addition, a comparison of various pathology groups are compared and pronounced differences discussed.