This report summarises the literature on geographical variations in hospital admission rates in the UK and internationally. It is restricted to studies of inpatient admissions. It concludes that the examination of the variations provides invaluable insights into the nature and extent of medical uncertainty, and that this information is essential ...
Despite forty years of the NHS, there are continuing geographical variations in the provision, use and outcome of health services. These variations are manifested in the greater availability of doctors and hospital beds in some areas than others; differences in the use made of these doctor and beds; and variations ...