Time is running out to submit GP surveys
 
The submission deadline for the Island’s GP Patient Survey is fast approaching, with those 7,800 people who were selected at random to receive a copy having until Friday, 14 June to complete and submit their survey. 
 
The survey, which is being run by Ipsos MORI, has been commissioned by the Department of Health, with the results and feedback helping to shape the development of GP services in the future.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said: “We place the patient’s voice at the heart of driving improvements to service delivery.  It’s important that we take the time to stop and ‘take the temperature’ of our services and ensure they’re meeting the needs of patients.  I would encourage all those who have received a survey to take the time to complete and submit it.  The more data we have, the more reliable conclusions we can draw, which will help us to understand trends and issues with GP care.  This really does give patients the chance to have their voice heard, with complete anonymity, as well as enabling them to have a direct role in helping to shape future service provision.”
 
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.
 
This latest survey follows a similar exercise in 2009, which saw 77% of respondents describe themselves as ‘satisfied’ with GP services – this compares to a figure of 73% in England.  The Department hopes to be able to publish the results of the survey in July.
 
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