It is not known how many general practices are organised so that patients usually see the same doctor (separate list practice) or how many are arranged so that patients are encouraged to see any partner (combined list practice).A survey was carried out in Wiltshire which obtained an 85 per cent response to a questionnaire. This showed that a majority of general practitioners working in partnership in Wiltshire no longer organise their practices so that they care for a defined list of patients.