DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 5 January 2009
More than five
million patients in England are being asked for their views on how
to improve family doctor services in a new survey launched by the
Government today. Results from the national survey will be used to
drive changes to GP services and rewards for GPs who provide fast,
convenient services.
This is the third year the Department of Health has run the GP
patient survey, which focuses on patients' experiences of
visiting a GP. In last year's survey patients called for
quicker access to GP appointments, in response to this over half
of all GP practices now offer extended opening hours making it
easier for patients to get appointments at times that suit them.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said:
"The national GP patient survey last year gave five million
people a chance to have their say on improving access to their GP.
The NHS listened and responded, and now over half of GP practices
are making it easier for their patients to book appointments later
in the evening, earlier in the morning or at the weekend.
"This new survey with wider questions, will ensure patients
can have their say about the issues that matter most to them.
Where patients identify areas for improvement, the local NHS will
need to respond.
"I hope everyone who receives a questionnaire will take the
time to fill it in and help to drive improvements in healthcare by
giving us an accurate picture of patients' experiences of
local GP services."
The survey now includes more questions to find out if GP
practices are getting the basics right for their patients -
whether patients find receptionists helpful, have the option of
telephone consultations, feel their problem is understood and how
they rate the overall care they receive. Patients are also asked
to rate local out of hours care to ensure health care is easily
accessible when patients need it.
Patients' answers will continue to set the level of payments
made to their GP practice for delivering access to GP appointments
in two working days and for booking appointments in advance. The
expanded survey also means the local NHS can link GP pay more
closely to their patients' views if this will improve care
for patients.
- Ends -
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. For further details on the survey, including a copy of the new
survey questionnaire see http://www.gp-patient.co.uk.
For further information please contact the Department of Health
press office on 020 7210 5221.
2. The Department of Health has reappointed independent survey
specialists Ipsos MORI to continue delivery of the GP Patient
Survey for the next 3 years.
3. Ipsos MORI worked in partnership with primary care academics
from the National Primary Care Research Development Centre,
University of Manchester and Peninsula Medical School,
Universities of Exeter and Plymouth to develop the new
questionnaire. All questions included in the survey have been
subject to intensive cognitive testing and design by the survey
providers and with the close engagement of a Stakeholder Review
Group, which comprises the BMA, RCGP, RCN, NHS Employers as well
as patient groups including The Patients Forum, National
Association Patient Participation, SIGN Health.
4. The survey continues to be delivered in line with best
professional advice. Survey questionnaires and a covering letter
will be sent to 5.7m people registered with GP practices in the
week commencing 5th January 2009. Reminders will be sent to non
respondents in February and March. The final date for receipt of
questionnaires by Ipsos MORI is 13 April 09. All outgoing and
incoming survey mail is distributed using second class post.
5. From April 2009 the survey will move to being run every
quarter ensuring availability of timely patient feedback to the NHS.