Despite the pressures local GP practices are still performing well, say patients

The results of the latest independent national GP Patient survey show that despite the pressures and challenges facing primary care in Suffolk and north east Essex, GP practices remain resilient and are continuing to perform better than the national average.

The results of the IPSOS Mori/NHS England survey, based on the responses of 11,264 local patients who gave feedback of their GP practice experience during 2023, shows that staff at GP practices are overall delivering high quality services to local people to best support their physical and mental wellbeing needs.

Results for the Suffolk and north east Essex area include:

Overall experience of your GP surgery – Very good/good – 75% (national average 71%)

How helpful were the receptionists? – Helpful – 86% (national average 82%)

Were you satisfied with the type of appointment you were offered? – Yes – 77% (national average 72%)

How good was the health care professional at giving you enough time? Good – 85% (national average 84%)

How good was the health care professional at treating you with care and concern? Good 86% (national average 84%)

Did you feel that your healthcare professional recognised and/or understood any mental health needs that you might have had?- Yes – 84% (national average 81%)

Were you involved as much as you wanted to be with decisions about your treatment and care? Yes – 92% (national average 90%)

Dr Nick Rayner, a GP in Newmarket and a member of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “There’s never been so much pressure on our GP practices, with ongoing recruitment issues and ever-increasing demand making for a challenging environment.

“Yet, our GP practices are staffed by incredible, dedicated health professionals who continue to do their very best for their patients. GP practices are staffed by not only doctors and nurses but a wider general practice team who are all contributing so much to helping keep people physically well and mentally happy.

“We know too, though, that within these survey data there remains variation in levels of patient satisfaction, and we’ll continue to work with those practices who need any extra support.”

Dr Freda Bhatti, a GP in Great Bentley and a member of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “As a working GP I congratulate my colleagues for their hard work and commitment despite the increasingly difficult environment in which they work with ever-increasing demand and lack of adequate resources. 

“I want to thank patients too for the support they give to staff. We know access is a problem and we at the ICB are working hard to resolve this but I am grateful to patients for recognising that the workforce are doing their best.”

You can read the full results at –  gp-patient.co.uk/icsslidepacks2023#region1