Dr. Catherine Conlon:

If we look at the GP list from the contracts office, we might see there are, say, 400 providing GPs today, but that situation evolves all the time. If a GP in a particular practice is the only providing GP, with no colleagues providing, when that GP goes on holiday or takes sick leave or maternity leave, he or she is removed as a provider. The list of providers is constantly evolving, with people opting in and out for various reasons, including capacity.