Patients highly satisfied with service from GPs (From Witney Gazette)

Patients highly satisfied with service from GPs

10:00am Wednesday 19th December 2012 in News

SATISFACTION with GP surgeries in Oxfordshire is above the national average, a Government survey has found.

The Department of Health’s GP Patient Survey showed 96 per cent of those questioned had either a good or very good experience with their surgery.

Of the 11,712 people surveyed in Oxfordshire, 5,883 people said they had a very good experience and 4,668 people said they had a good experience.

The survey, which ran between January and September, found the national average was 82 per cent. It also found 70 per cent (8,104 of 11,589) of Oxfordshire respondents definitely have confidence and trust in their GP, compared to 65 per cent nationally.

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group chief clinical officer Stephen Richards said he was delighted by the high rating and the survey would help to improve the service. He said: “Questions around opening times show that 74 per cent of patients would like Saturday appointments, and whilst currently only four per cent of people book appointments online, 36 per cent would prefer to do so using the internet.”

The group hopes to take these ideas forward with the NHS Commissioning Board.