National Survey Seeks Patient Views On Access And Responsiveness Of Family Doctor Services, UK

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 13 Jan 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Patients across Somerset are to be amongst six million people to be asked for their view of the services provided by their family doctor.

It's part of the government's effort to find out the level of patient satisfaction with GP services and particularly how easy they find it to see a General Practitioner.

From 5th January 2009 some 40,000 Somerset patients will receive the survey.

Responding to the survey is important. The results not only provide vital information for the NHS about the performance of local GP services, they also hold financial bring incentives for doctors if they can demonstrate they are responsive to patients' views and working to improve access to their services.

Questions within this year's survey ask a broader range of issues, such as:

- How flexible are your GPs appointments?
- Are you able to book an appointment with a specific doctor?
- How easy it is for you to telephone your GP surgery?
- Are surgery's opening hours convenient?
- Does your GP listen and understand your problems
- How helpful are reception staffs?

Standards for the length of time patients should wait to see a General Practitioner were set by the government over five years ago. All patients in Somerset are able to see a doctor within 48 hours, a practice nurse within 24 hours and book appointments at least a week in advance.

David Slack, Director of Primary Care Performance with Somerset Primary Care said: "If you are one of the Somerset patients to receive a survey please would you you complete and return your questionnaire. Your views are important and the information we get back from the survey will help you and your family, by helping us to further improving local GP services and the NHS.

"Although we know local GPs already perform exceptionally well and are continuing to make the booking of an appointment as convenient as possible, GPs and the Primary Care Trust want to hear patient views and tailor future services for their convenience."

Posters and leaflets informing NHS patients and staff about the new survey will be placed in GP surgeries over the next couple of weeks.

The results of the survey are expected to be known by May 2009.

1. For further details on the survey, including a copy of the new survey questionnaire see http://www.gp-patient.co.uk

2. The Department of Health has reappointed independent survey specialists Ipsos MORI to continue delivery of the GP Patient Survey for the next three years.

4. Survey questionnaires and a covering letter will be sent to 5.7m people registered with GP practices in the week commencing 5th January 2009. Reminders will be sent to non respondents in February and March. The final date for receipt of questionnaires by Ipsos MORI is 13 April 09. All outgoing and incoming survey mail is distributed using second class post.

GP Patient

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