( in full general practitioner ) n
( in Britain ) a doctor who treats all types of illnesses within a community, sometimes called a family doctor . They can write prescriptions (= instructions that allow people to buy medicines), and may recommend that a person goes to see a specialist in a particular disease. Patients are usually treated at the doctor’s surgery, and may also be visited at home. GPs are employed by the National Health Service but they may also have some private patients .