South Devon’s patients have given their GPs and practices a big vote of confidence in a national survey, scoring their services above the country’s average in all categories.
The local practices were rated in NHS England’s GP Patient Survey, which provides information on patients’ overall experience of primary care services and their experience of accessing these services.
One of the questions asked patients to rate their overall experience of their GP practice and in the South Devon area 87 percent rated their experience as Good, compared to the national average of 84 percent.
The survey also asked how easy it was to get through on the phone to someone at their GP practice and in the South Devon and Torbay area, 72 percent said it was easy. The national average was 70 percent.
In addition, patients were asked how they would describe their experience of making an appointment. In the South Devon and Torbay area 75 percent said it was good. The national average was 69 percent.
The annual survey, which has been redesigned to better reflect patient experience and the changing shape of primary care, has also been extended to include those aged 16 to 17.
Patients were asked if they have had enough support from local services or organisations to help them manage their condition (or conditions) in the past 12 months. In the South Devon and Torbay area, 84 percent said yes. The national average was 79 percent.
Dr Paul Johnson, South Devon and Torbay CCG chair, added: ‘It’s to the credit of local general practice that while demand is increasing, all the indicators in the survey show that Devon satisfaction rates are above the national average.The CCGs in Devon will be working with practices to ensure patients continue to receive these high levels of care in the coming years.’
Bob Jope Healthwatch Torbay
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