Patients struggling to access GP services - report

A report said patients in Telford and Wrekin are struggling to access primary care services

A patient survey has given a damning assessment of GP services around Telford, saying people struggle to get the care they need.

The issue was highlighted by the local Healthwatch patient body, in an interim report on GP access.

Service users said they were finding it difficult to contact surgeries on the phone as well as book appointments at their preferred times.

It comes amid rising demand for primary care services in the area, the report stated.

“This survey highlighted that some patients within Telford and Wrekin are still finding it difficult to get through to the surgery on the phone, to get an appointment at a preferred time and with their GP of choice,” the report said.

It continued that local health bosses needed to address patient experience concerns.

Nicola Williams, from NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said in response that GP access was a "top priority" and it was working to improve several areas.

“These include patient ease and experience of getting through to practices and the timeliness of appointments based on clinical need; improvements through digital telephony for people struggling to contact their practice; and maximising the use of other digital tools to support access," she said.

Almost 5,400 people responded to the survey, which asked people to name their surgery and rate their experience making their latest appointment.

Nearly half - 2,477 respondents - rated their experience as very poor with a further 845 rating it fairly poor.

In comparison, 964 people said their experience was very good and 612 found it fairly good. A total of 471 people said it was neither good nor poor.

“When people do get to see a GP their overall confidence is positive and OK, with a smaller number saying it is not so,” the report added.

The interim report will be considered by Telford and Wrekin Council’s health board next week.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.