WIREDGOV

The Patients Association welcomes the long-awaited CQC inspections of GP surgeries, but we are concerned about the timeframes given to some surgeries that provide inadequate care and pose a risk to the safety of patients.

Patients currently know little about their GP and how good or bad they are. The Patients Association believes that patients should be able to share and explore feedback on their experiences of their GP service. Information about GPs should be publicly available so that patients can make an informed choice on whether or not to see an individual doctor or nurse, or indeed use the surgery.

Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, said,

GP surgeries are a minefield; we don’t know whether the service we receive is good or bad, as there is little information available. We hear from many patients about their frustration and difficulty in getting an appointment, about misdiagnoses and problems in not being sent for investigations and tests, resulting in late diagnosis.

We know that capturing patient experiences and sharing them openly and transparently will deliver patient empowerment - it will also highlight excellence and improve standards.

It is time GP surgeries are inspected by the Regulator. Patients deserve the best in health and social care and it is unacceptable for GP surgeries to continue providing substandard levels of care to patients. With many GPs undertaking minor surgical procedures, patient safety is a particular issue.

If we are to provide patients with a truly world-class healthcare service, we must ensure that they have ready access to high quality GP services. We must always remember this is taxpayers' money and the service needs to be on their terms and not those who provide it. We hope the inspections will include many patients and the public.

Notes for Editors

The Patients Association is an independent national health and social care charity established over 50 years ago and has a long history of campaigning to ensure that the voice of patients is heard within the Health and Social care system.

1. The Patients Association is a campaigning charity, listening to patients and speaking up for change. It has been working for over 50 years to make sure that the patient voice is heard and listened to by policy makers.

2. For further information please contact the Patients Association on 02084239111 or on comms@patients-association.com.

3. To see more information on the Patients Association visit www.patients-association.com