NHS survey to provide patient opinion on GPs

The government has announced that it is to survey five million users of the NHS to investigate the process of visiting a GP. The survey plans to rewards those practices that offer better access to services.

Questions due to be asked on the survey include the ability to book an appointment with a GP within two days, the ease of telephone contact with the practice, the ability to book advance appointments or visits with a particular doctor and patient satisfaction with opening hours at surgeries.

Patricia Hewitt, health secretary, said: “The GP Patient Survey will provide us with a patient’s-eye-view of how well GP surgeries measure-up on flexible booking and telephone access. Patients will also tell us whether they are satisfied with GP practice opening hours.”

She added that with vast investment in GPs from the government, it was necessary to ensure that practices react positively to the views of patients regarding access to services.

This week, the Department of Health also published a document laying out the context in which providers can promote their services, suggesting self-regulation supported by a code of practice.