There has been a lot of discussion about GP waiting times recently.
Now, patients (if they are into statistics) will be able to make more informed choices on the GP practice they choose to visit after data showing detailed appointment waiting times was published for the first time ever today.
The statistics, which cover all GP practices across England, is being made available to inform patients how many appointments each practice is delivering and on the length of time taken from booking an appointment to the appointment itself.
This will improve transparency about performance and give patients more information to help them make informed choices when choosing their practice.
It is difficult to know what level of choice people in the SW have given the rurality pf the area and distances people have to travel.
The statistics, NHS Digital’s website, will form part of the GP data published monthly which for the first time will include details at practice level. This was announced in Our Plan for Patients.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:
We promised to prioritise patients and improve access and that is exactly what we have done – and this is just the start.
I am determined to make it easier for people to get an appointment with their GP practice when they need one and this will allow patients to make a more informed choice about the care they receive.
