The Doctor Will See You Now - NHS GP Access Improves

NHS patients are experiencing shorter waits to see a family doctor, according to the results of a major, independent survey into GP services, published today by the Department of Health. The results show that nine out of ten NHS patients have the opportunity to see their GP within 48 hours.

The survey of 10,000 patients, conducted by Picker Institute Europe on behalf of the department, shows that 88 per cent of patients now report having the chance to see GP within 48 hours.

Many patients report seeing a GP well inside two working days. The survey shows that four out of ten (41 per cent) patients receive an appointment on the same working day they contacted their GP, up from 27 per cent three years ago (2002/03).

Just 12 per cent of patients reported that they waited more than two working days because no earlier appointment had been available with any GP at their local practice, compared to around half of patients in 1997.

The findings also confirm that the improvement in fast access to GPs has not been at the cost of flexible booking. Seven out of ten patients (70 per cent) report that their practice allows them to make a doctor's appointment three or more working days in advance, the same figure as last year.

Health Minister Andy Burnham said:

"Access to NHS GPs is undoubtedly improving. Patients rightly expect to be seen at a convenient time and quickly, that's why we set a target of patients being able to see a GP within two working days.

"This survey shows that the 48-hour access target has led to significant improvements in access and has largely ended the problem of people waiting a week or more to see a GP.

"We have taken action to tackle restrictive booking and tightened tests on the two-day GP access target. Our recently launched GP Patient Survey will further improve measures of GP access and drive up standards by rewarding those practices offering patients good access to services."

The survey also showed that patients want to see changes in GP opening hours. More than two thirds of patients (69 per cent) say they would be content to see surgeries close during the day if GPs offered appointments outside of the traditional 9am - 6pm opening times.

The most popular option for more convenient opening hours is after 6pm in the evenings, which is backed by a third (34 per cent) of patients. Saturday openings were favoured by one in three (29 per cent) patients.

Burnham continued:

"It's vital we ensure GP practices are open when patients want. Opening hours should reflect patient preferences and we will look to use the GP contract to provide more incentives for GPs to offer better opening hours. Our aim is to improve convenience and lengthen the time during which patients can get routine access to GP services.

"We have already opened dozens of NHS walk-in centres offering evening and weekend care. In addition, the NHS in some parts of the country are already paying practices for providing longer opening hours.

"GP opening hours will become even more important as we look to move more care out of large hospitals and closer to patients' homes. Each practice should be looking at opening for the times that best meet the needs of their patients. Our new survey asking five million people whether their surgery offers convenient opening hours will help drive these changes forward."

Other key findings in the report were:

- Almost eight out of ten patients (77 per cent) say that they are seen by a GP as soon as they thought necessary.

- Seven out of ten patients (70 per cent) report that their practice allows them to make a doctor's appointment three or more working days in advance.

- More patients say that they are seen on time or earlier than their appointment time (26 per cent, up from 24 per cent in 2003/04).

- Almost all patients (97 per cent) say they are given enough time to discuss their problems with the doctor.

- Almost all patients (99 per cent) rate their surgery as either very clean or fairly clean.

Earlier this month, the department began a separate survey, the biggest ever NHS survey, asking patients directly about their experience of accessing NHS services. The GP Patient Survey will give five million patients the chance to have their say on how easy it is for them to book a GP appointment under the GP Patient Survey.

The GP Patient Survey questionnaire aims to help tackle perceived problems with GP services by asking patients about their experiences of flexible booking, telephone access and opening hours.

An average practice with a list of 6,000 patients will have the chance to earn over £8,000 in incentives through the GP Patient Survey if they are responsive to patients' views on access. Results of this second survey will be published in May 2007.