This week, the Department of Health will be issuing ‘GP Access Surveys’ to a selection of patients across all GP Practices. It is estimated that up to 7,800 surveys will be issued to members of the public which will give a broad spectrum of feedback. In 2012 Primary Care – which includes services such as; Ambulance Services, Community Nursing, Dental and Podiatry – undertook a survey covering all aspects of the service provided which showed an overall positive response of 91.5%.
This survey, which was comprised with Ipsos MORI and the Department’s Family Practitioner Services, will be distributed to individual patients across the Island by mail. The deadline for the completed surveys to be sent back to the Department will be 14 June with results due to be published late July. This is an opportunity for members of the public to anonymously feedback on services that are provided at their surgery.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “The Department of Health always welcomes the views of patients; conducting regular and comprehensive surveys enables us to review what the public think about our services. The GP Access Survey was last undertaken in 2009 which showed an average of 77% of patients being satisfied with the services, compared to England where 73% of patients were pleased with their service.
“Surveys like this one are instrumental in the development of services within the Department of Health - asking the public to comment on the delivery and standards of our Department, actively shapes health services for the future.”
The Survey comprises seven major components from a range of topics vital to customer service satisfaction. Each section asks questions relating to personal experience on:
• Accessing your GP Services
• Making an Appointment
• Waiting Times
• Last GP Appointment
• Last Nurse Appointment
• Overall Experience
• Out of Hours Care
• Questions About You
Annmarie Cubbon, Family Practitioner Services Manager said: “The last survey we published clearly showed an increase in the standard of the services the GPs provide. In 2007/08 members of the public were asked whether they would participate in the GP Access Survey, this initial exercise returned a response rate of 49% compared to 41% that of the UK. This is a real opportunity to influence and enhance the GP service the public receive and I would encourage those who receive a survey to fill it out and send it to the Department. We will be distributing 7,800 surveys, less than 10% of the Island’s population, so it is essential we receive as many responses as possible.”
The Survey will come with a pre-paid envelope which will be addressed to the Department of Health where the results will be collated and sent to Ipsos MORI for analysis. The full results of the Survey will be published at the end of July.
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