workload. The study of consultation length did not include any morbidity variables and the consultation rate study was based on arealevel data andused area measures of mortality andof patient reported morbidity (Formula Review Group, 2007). Fund- ing for general practice prescribing is allocated by a formula derived from a practice level model of prescribing costs which included three practice level disease preva- lence measures (Department of Health, 2011). Data confidentiality meant that we could not identify practicesand so could not compare capitation based on morbidity with actual NHS capitation payments. Given the specificities of the NHS capitation system, a comparison withsimpleage andgender based capitation has more general lessons.