Healthwatch England response to the latest GP patient survey

NHS England has released the latest official statistics from the GP Patient Survey. The annual survey looks at people's experience of healthcare services provided by GP practices.

While over 80% of patients reported a good overall experience of their local GP surgery, many people still face difficulty getting an appointment they are satisfied with.

The figures show that:

• Just under two-thirds of patients (64.7%) were satisfied with the appointment times
• Just under half of the patients (48%) who have a preferred GP said they saw them always, almost always or a lot of the time

Responding to the latest GP Patient Survey, Healthwatch England Chair Sir Robert Francis QC, said:

“It is good to see that the majority of people are happy with the standard of their GP surgery when they get to see a GP. People up and down the country tell us how much they value the relationships they have with their GPs and the hard work that they do.

"However, they also tell us that there is still room for improvement in accessing those services. The results from today's data reflect the everyday realities of visiting a GP."