The number of female family doctors in England has outstripped that of male doctors for the first time.
Data from the NHS shows that 51% (20,440) of GPs are women. Men working in general practice number 19,800. These include both full-time and part-time practitioners.
Since 2003, the number of GPs both male and female has dropped by 1% while average GP earnings have reached £105,000.
The dramatic increase over the last ten years has resulted in part from a contract under Labour which allowed doctors to give up responsibility for out of hours services, which most did.
Another factor is that female medical students are likely to choose general practiced as they can more easily work part-time.
There is debate on the effect the increase in women GPs may be causing. Some claim it has caused a dangerous shortage of doctors and that the NHS cannot afford to train such a large proportion of doctors if part-time doctor numbers carry on mounting.
Others believe that there is more benefit to be had from two part-time doctors than one full-time GP, irrespective of gender.
The NHS overall had 1.36 million people employed (full-time and part-time) in September 2013, an increase of 6,000 over 2012 and 150,000 more than in 2003.
