The GHS provides data about the use of health services among children and adults in the general population. It complements other sources of data which refer to those who have made use of health services, as it also includes those who make little or no use of these services.

The topics covered include:

• whether they have seen a General Practitioner (GP) in the two weeks before interview;
• whether they have seen a practice nurse in the two weeks before interview;
• whether they have attended an outpatient or casualty department in the three months before interview;
• whether they have been a day patient in the last 12 months;
• whether they have been an inpatient in the last 12 months.

Overall, females were more likely than males to have made use of any of these services. Use was highest among children aged less than 5 and adults in the older age groups.