An analysis of the 2023 edition of the NHS GP Patient Survey reveals that only 10% of patients registered to England’s worst-rated GP practices are satisfied with their care. MailOnline conducted the analysis, which assessed the performance of over 6,400 surgeries across the nation. The overall satisfaction rating hit an all-time low, largely due to the appointments crisis that has discouraged people from even attempting to see their doctor. Just 70% of patients rated their practice as “fairly good” or “very good.” However, the research shows that at the lowest-ranked surgery, Medicus Select Care CCG for Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes, only 11% of patients were satisfied with their care. This practice offers healthcare services to individuals who have been removed from their previous surgery’s list either due to repeated behavioral warnings or immediate removal for violent behavior.
The data highlights some other poorly rated practices, including Green Porch Medical Centre in Sittingbourne, Kent, where only 17% of patients rated their care as “good.” Additionally, practices in Birmingham, Blackpool, and Essex also ranked poorly. It’s worth noting that some practices had very few survey respondents, so the figures may not be entirely representative of each surgery’s performance. On the whole, 71% of survey respondents considered their GP practice to be “good.” However, this is the lowest satisfaction rate since the survey began in 2017 when 85% of respondents were satisfied with their surgery’s performance.
The survey results reveal that many Brits struggled to access timely care. While nearly 90% of survey participants attempted to make an appointment in the last year, half of them decided against doing so. Of those who avoided seeking an appointment, 30% found the process too difficult, and 15% didn’t want to burden the NHS. Only a third of those who contacted their GP practice were offered a choice of appointment times, and less than 10% were given the option to choose which healthcare professional they would prefer to see.
Dennis Reed, from Silver Voices, an organization advocating for the elderly, expressed concerns about the disparities in care across different areas, particularly underserved or isolated regions lacking an adequate number of GPs. Reed believes the NHS must take action to ensure equal access to GPs, regardless of the location.
Dr. Kristian Niemietz, the head of political economy at the think tank Institute of Economic Affairs, commented on the trend of using surveys like this to express frustrations with the NHS. He pointed out that net satisfaction with the NHS has reached its lowest level ever recorded, highlighting the discrepancy between the public’s reverence for the NHS and its actual performance.
The survey results also indicate that more patients are resorting to overcrowded A&E departments for basic care due to difficulties in securing a GP appointment. In 2021, 7.6% of patients who couldn’t get a GP appointment went to A&E, approximately 282,000 people. By 2023, this figure had risen to 12.2%, equivalent to 696,000 people, a 146% increase. Worryingly, almost a third of people (32.8%) did not speak to any medical professional about their health issues after failing to secure a GP appointment. Moreover, only 16.4% of patients reported always or almost always being able to see their preferred family doctor, while 19.3% said they could never or almost never see them. Continuity of care has been proven to enhance health outcomes, increase medication adherence, and reduce mortality rates.
The analysis also sheds light on a broken promise from the government, which silently abandoned its commitment to hiring 6,000 more GPs. This pledge was a crucial part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s election-winning manifesto. The latest data from May 2023 shows that there are 27,200 fully qualified GPs in England, down from 27,627 the previous year. The number of GPs peaked at 29,537 in March 2016.
In terms of appointment types, 69.8% of GP appointments in England were conducted face-to-face in May, a decrease from the previous month’s 70%, which marked the highest figure since the start of the pandemic. Furthermore, less than half of patients who booked a consultation actually saw a doctor (47.7%); the remaining 49.9% were seen by another healthcare professional, such as a nurse.
Since 2019, only 2,000 additional family doctors have been recruited. However, the number of fully qualified GPs working full-time has decreased to around 27,300. Analysts project that another 7,400 GPs are still needed to fill the gaps. Many GPs retire in their 50s, leave the country, or join the private sector due to overwhelming demand, excessive paperwork, and negative media coverage of the NHS. Approximately one in four GPs, who earn up to £100,000 per year, now work part-time. The growing population exacerbates the problem, resulting in rushed consultations likened to an assembly line.
Dr. Michael Mulholland, honorary secretary of the Royal College of GPs, acknowledged the challenges faced by an overburdened and understaffed service. He emphasized that the vast majority of patients have confidence in the highly qualified professionals they encounter during appointments. However, he expressed shared frustrations, emphasizing that GPs and their teams strive to provide safe, timely, and appropriate care for their patients. Despite delivering millions more appointments each month, there are 930 fewer GPs compared to 2019.
Several GP practices mentioned in the survey responded to the findings. Compass Medical Practice, a Special Allocation Scheme provider serving patients who have been removed from their previous GP list due to incidents requiring police intervention, explained that their patients often have complex medical and social needs. Only 22 patients completed the survey, giving an incomplete representation of their service. Lakeside Healthcare Stamford acknowledged the challenges highlighted in the survey and expressed a commitment to improving patient care and experience. Other GP practices were approached for comment but have not provided responses at this time.
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