GP practices are still performing well for their patients

Despite the big challenges and pressures facing GP practices in Suffolk and north east Essex, they remain resilient and are continuing to perform much better than the national average – according to the latest independent national annual GP Patient survey data.

The results of the IPSOS Mori/NHS England survey, based on the responses of 10,805 local patients who gave feedback of their GP practice experience during 2022, 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 – 77% (national average 72%)

How helpful were the receptionists? – Helpful – 87% (national average 82%)

Were you satisfied with the type of appointment you were offered? – Yes – 78% (national average 72%)

How good was the health care professional at giving you enough time? Good – 85% (national average 83%)

How good was the health care professional at treating you with care and concern? Good 85% (national average 83%)

Did you feel that your healthcare professional recognised and/or understood any mental health needs that you might have had?- Yes – 85% (national average 83%)

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 no doubt that it’s taken tremendous dedication and hard work from GP practice staff to achieve this level of patient satisfaction.

“Our GP practices are staffed by a wide range of health care professionals, not only doctors, but nurses, physiotherapists and mental health specialists, who are all contributing so much to helping keep people well and happy, and I thank them all hugely.”

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’m very aware of the challenges faced daily by our GP practices. Yet these survey results show they are continuing to perform well, highlighting the really good work being done by staff to best look after their patients.

“I want to thank patients too for the support they have given to practice staff during this busy time. We know it has sometimes been hard to contact practices to make an appointment and people have had to wait longer than usual for an appointment, but everyone is doing their very best.

“These survey results are an important barometer of how our local services are performing and I’m proud we are remaining resilient.”

Dr Ed Garratt, chief officer, Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “This is an incredibly positive achievement for all the staff working in GP practices across the area as well as their patient groups who provide valuable advice and support. I want to thank them for all their great work, they should be incredibly pleased that we are performing better than the national average on all metrics.”

You can read the full results at – https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/