More GP practice appointments than ever, data shows

GP practices in Derbyshire are providing tens of thousands more appointments for patients than five years ago, while patient satisfaction levels remain high, latest analysis has shown.

In August this year practices provided 519,000 appointments, an 11% increase compared to 467,000 in August 2019 – before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Of the appointments in August this year:

• 70% were face to face
• 21% were by phone
• 5% were online
• 41% were provided on the same day

The figures exclude Glossop, which was not in the Derbyshire system in 2019, to avoid distorting the comparison.

Detailed analysis of the results of the 2024 national GP patient survey has also been carried out by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board.

Results are based on 12,570 completed questionnaires returned by randomly selected people who were asked to complete the survey.

The results showed that access to GP practice healthcare staff is a concern, but satisfaction with care received is high.

• 74% rated their overall experience of their GP practice as “good”
• 66% of people rated their experience of contacting their GP practice as “good”, but 21% said it was “poor”
• 45% of patients found it easy to contact their practice by phone, 43% found it easy via the practice website and 41% found it easy via the NHS app
• 90% of patients felt their needs were met at their last appointment
• 92% of patients felt they were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment
• 93% of patients had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to

These figures are broadly similar to national and Midlands results.

Results from the GP patient survey are broken down by practice and can be viewed on the dedicated website.

Improvements to the way people are able to access the services provided by GPs and their teams are being implemented as part of the national Primary Care Access Recovery Plan.

This has seen practices invest in:

• better telephone, website and booking systems
• enabling the NHS app to function with GP systems
• training of staff and upgrading of systems

The detailed analysis of results by practice and local primary care network area is now to be used as part of ongoing support for GP practices and local areas, to ensure they learn from each other and reach the same high standards.

Clive Newman, director of primary care for Derby and Derbyshire, said: “GP practice staff are delivering more than half a million appointments in our area every month.

“Despite intense staffing pressures they have increased the numbers of people they are seeing year on year and they have maintained the trust and confidence of their patients.

“However, we know that many people struggle to get an appointment when they want it and we can see that reflected in the access satisfaction figures, which are not as good as we would want.

“Each of our 111 practices has its own approach, so people’s experiences will be different.”

Andy Mott is a GP at Jessop Medical Practice, Alfreton, and clinical director of Derby and Derbyshire GP Provider Board, which speaks for practices across the county.

He said: “The latest data on access and from the GP patient survey show that general practice is continuing to improve the quantity and quality of care we provide.

“That is despite continually increasing demand and a workforce and budget that are under extreme pressure.

“All staff in our GP practices should be pleased with what they have achieved, while recognising that there is still much more to do in improving access and enhancing the role of general practice in our healthcare system.”