The GP Patient Survey was issued to approximately 236,000 people throughout Northern Ireland between January and March 2009 to assess patients’ views on the services they receive. Survey results have been published on the Department’s website today.
Summary results show that:
- 94% of patients are satisfied with the care they receive at their surgery.
- 97% of patients have confidence and trust in their doctor.
- 84% of those patients who needed to see a GP or health care professional fairly quickly were seen on the same day or within the next two days.
- 85% of patients are satisfied with the opening hours of their surgery.
- 99% of patients report their surgery to be clean.
The results also show that the majority of patients are also very positive about their experiences with a nurse at their surgery.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “The GP Patient Survey has been developed as part of my commitment to ensuring our health and social care system is responsive to the needs and expectations of patients. I really appreciate the time that people took to complete this survey and to contribute valuable information on the services they use in primary care.
“Our primary care services are vitally important. The local GP is usually the first point of contact a patient has with health and social care. I am therefore pleased that patients hold their GPs, surgery nurses and support staff in such high regard.
“I am delighted that the vast majority of patients report high levels of satisfaction with the care they receive, with patients reporting high levels of trust and confidence in their doctor. GP practices in Northern Ireland can justifiably be proud of themselves for the service and care they provide.”
The Minister concluded: “My department has made a significant commitment to improvements in GP services since the introduction of the new GP contract in 2004. These results are encouraging and will help inform the future delivery of GP services in Northern Ireland.”
Full survey results are available on the DHSSPS website.
Notes to Editors:
1. Across Northern Ireland 235,975 surveys were distributed to patients and 105,913 surveys were completed and returned giving an average 45% response rate for Northern Ireland. It was carried out by Ipsos MORI, a registered independent survey organisation.
2. This is the first time the survey has been undertaken in Northern Ireland as part of the GMS Contract. It has successfully run in England for the previous two years. The Department is carrying out survey in conjunction with the other UK Departments of Health.
3. UK Wide BMA GPC has agreed that GP practices’ performances in the Patient Access standard will use the results of the GP Patient Survey to measure, monitor and award points to the practice in two of the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) indicators. This will then be used to directly reward practices based on level of patients’ satisfaction with GP practices appointments.
4. Practices can use the results to the survey as a tool for implementing changes to improve services for their patients.
5. Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
