Residents reminded of opportunities to have say on GP services

Tuesday 22 February 2022

Health bosses in Northumberland are reminding residents that there are two current surveys running to seek their views on GP services.

NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and commissions the county’s healthcare, is carrying out a process of engagement with patients to better understand their views on accessing services, which will help inform any future changes.

This survey, which comes on the back of a period of significant change during the Covid-19 pandemic, including a rapid increase in the use of telephone and video consultations, is running until Friday, February 25.

Dr Robin Hudson, a GP in Northumberland and the CCG’s medical director, said: “We have had a really good response to this survey so far, which is great as it’s really important that we understand patients’ views on issues such as which healthcare professional they would prefer to see, whether evening and weekend appointments are useful, how far they are willing to travel and preferences for phone or online consultations.

“Our staff teams and patients have both had to adapt during the pandemic and we want to get an accurate picture of what the needs of Northumberland residents are, to support our future planning for patients being able to access the right person, providing the right care, in the right place and at the right time.”

The survey, which will take around 10 minutes to complete, is available online at www.northumberlandccg.nhs.uk/share-your-views-about-accessing-gp-practices

As a thank-you, those sharing their views will be given the option to be entered into a prize draw where you could win a £100, £50 or £25 High Street voucher.

Meanwhile, the national 2022 GP Patient Survey is also taking place, having launched in early January and running for three months.

This is an independent survey carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of NHS England, which takes place each year. The survey is sent to more than two million people across the country, with those selected able to complete either a paper or online copy.

Dr Hudson added: “The CCG is not involved in this survey, but we would still encourage Northumberland residents who have received an invitation to take part to do so, as it provides another opportunity for patients to share their experience and practices can use the results to improve the services they offer.”