Public Confidence 'High' In NI GPs

The majority of patients who have been to see their General Practitioner (GP) have reported that they have confidence in the doctor they saw, (97%) said they had both trust and confidence.

Most of the patients surveyed (79%), have seen a doctor at their surgery in the last six months, according to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety results that were published today.

This is the third year the GP Patient Survey has been undertaken in Northern Ireland after it was introduced under the GMS Contract Agreement as part of the Government's commitment to making the Health Service more responsive to patients' needs.

Brian Dunn, Chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) GP Committee in Northern Ireland (pictured) said: "GPs are to be congratulated on the results of this survey.

"One of the core values of general practice is the ability to provide a confidential consultative role and to act as advocates on behalf of our patients.

"This can only be achieved where there is confidence and trust, and we are delighted that 97% of patients said they had confidence and trust in their GP. What other profession can equal that," he asked.

"That the majority of patients are satisfied with their care, are able to book ahead for appointments and see their doctor quickly is proof that general practitioners and their teams are working hard to meet patient need."

The GP from Larne added: "While it is great to hear these positive results, I would question the amount of money that is spent on the survey.

"The results for the last three years have been remarkably similar, so perhaps it is now time to consider investing money earmarked for the survey into patient care instead."

The survey covers a range of topics relating to patients' experience of primary care including satisfaction with the care provided by GPs and practice nurses, ease of access to services, planning care for long-standing health problems, and satisfaction with the GP out-of-hours service.

A copy of the survey was sent to 235,985 patients registered with a GP in Northern Ireland. The overall response rate to the survey was 42%, based on 98,659 completed responses.

By Appointment

It also recorded that over half of patients, (56%), have tried to book ahead for an appointment with a doctor in the past six months.

The majority of those who tried to book ahead, (79%), were able to get an appointment more than two full days in advance.

Almost two thirds of patients, 63%, have tried to see a doctor fairly quickly in the past six months, and the majority of these, 83%, were able to be seen on the same day or within the next two days.

In other issues, half of patients, (49%), would like their surgery to open at additional times.

Preferences for additional opening times are on Saturdays, 42%, and after 6.30pm, by 39%.

Almost three in five patients have seen a practice nurse at their surgery in the past six months, 58%, which is the same proportion as in 2009/10. Of those who have seen a practice nurse, 91% say it is easy to get an appointment.

Half of patients (49%) say they have one or more long-standing health problem, disability, or infirmity. Overall, the majority, (92%), of patients who have had discussions with a doctor or nurse about how best to deal with their health problem think that discussing it has helped improve how they manage their problem.

Two thirds of patients with a long-standing health problem, disability, or infirmity, (64%), said they have had enough support from local services to manage their condition.

One in ten patients said they haven't had enough support from local services and organisations, while 22% said they haven't needed such support.

Most patients who tried to contact an out-of-hours GP service, (89%), found it easy to make contact by telephone. Most patients, (75%), rate the care they received from the out-of-hours service as good.

(BMcC/GK)