Table 1 Features of general practice cooperatives in the Netherlands

• Usually situated near a hospital

• Access via a single regional telephone number

• Access daily from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and the whole week-end

• Large-scale handling of 100,000 to 500,000 patients within distances of 20–30 km

• Chauffeurs in recognisable GP cars that are fully equipped (e.g., O₂, infusion drip, automatic defibrillation equipment).

• ICT support including electronic patient files, electronic feedback to the GPs and on-line connection to the GP car

• Triage nurses in contact by telephone (i.e., GP or hospital nurses)

• General practitioner shifts of 6 to 8 hours