B&NES GPs have scored highest in the country for overall patient experience in the latest GP Patient Survey, with only one other CCG in the country (NHS Hambleton) equalling the 94 per cent score.
The survey took place during the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, with a total of 3,185 people taking part in B&NES and 836,312 nationwide.
The results show that 94 per cent of B&NES patients describe their experience at their GP surgery as ‘good’, compared with a national average of 85 per cent.
Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (BaNES CCG) Clinical Chair, Dr Ian Orpen said: “I am immensely pleased that my colleagues’ dedication to high quality care is recognised by patients.
“B&NES GPs continue to show that despite the increasing pressures on their time and resources, this has not affected patient experience.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve general practice in B&NES, and have just finished two weeks of public meetings where we’ve had chance to hear what local people think.
“We also published our draft Statement of Intent earlier this year, which sets out our vision for primary medical services to 2020, and we welcome any feedback from the public about improvements they think could be made.”
The number of B&NES patients aware of the online services offered at their GP practice is still low however, at 37 per cent.
Figures from February 2016 show that eight practices in B&NES still have less than 10 per cent of patients signed up to online services.
Patients have told the NHS that they want to be offered more convenience, choice and control in how they access GP services. Patients also want to be informed and involved in decisions about their own care and treatment, which can lead to better health outcomes and less likelihood of being admitted to hospital.
All B&NES surgeries offer appointment booking online, and since November 2015, the majority have also offered a 24-hour automated phone booking system.
Many practices also offer other services online, including ordering repeat prescriptions and viewing GP patient records. Visit your surgery’s website for more information or ask a member of staff when you next see your GP.
To see how your GP practice got on in the GP Patient Survey and compare it to other practices, visit gp-patient.co.uk.
If you have any feedback about B&NES GP services or their Statement of Intent, which can be read on the B&NES CCG website here, contact BaNES CCG at [email protected].
