Patient satisfaction with access to their GP practice remains high, the second annual GP Patient Survey has shown.
Almost 2 million patients responded to the survey and 87% reported being able to get an appointment within 48 hours and 77% were able to book an appointment in advance. Telephone access to the practice was regarded as satisfactory by 87% of patients. All three figures are up slightly on 2006/07 .
The results released by the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care also show that 82% of patients were happy with current practice opening times, down from 84% the previous year.
Of those who were dissatisfied, 44 per cent wanted practices to be open on Saturdays and 31%wanted later evening opening times.
National Director for Primary Care David Colin-Thome said the higher ratings by patients for GP practices was a measure of appreciation for practices that had responded to their views. "As ever we can improve further and I would urge any GP or practice team member that has not already done so to review my and Professor Mayur Lakhani's recent reports on improving access to consider how they can apply or improve on the recommendations made."
Health minister Ben Bradshaw said: "The NHS now needs to respond to what this latest data is telling us. It is clear patients increasingly need access to primary care at more convenient times."
Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GP Committee said practices had to try and strike a balance between making sure patients who wanted to book ahead were able to do so and ensuring there were enough empty appointments for emergencies.
He said the results showed that on the whole GP surgeries were getting it right. "We’re not perfect and it’s also not possible to please everyone all of the time when resources are finite, but it’s proof that the vast majority of patients are getting a good service from their GP surgery."