Results from a GP Patient Survey published this month show that practices in Sheffield scored higher than the national average for patient satisfaction. Sheffield GPs also ranked highly on specific experiences of care, such as managing long term conditions.

8,669 patients from across 78 GP practices in the city completed the survey, which was conducted by independent social research institute Ipsos MORI.  

The results show that the vast majority of people in Sheffield are satisfied with the care they receive from their GP with 8 in 10 patients rating their GP as ‘good’. 90% of Sheffield patients surveyed said the last healthcare professional that they saw at their practice was ‘very good’ or ‘good’ at listening to them and 96% of respondents had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to.

Sheffield practices scored above the national average for the majority of questions relating to satisfaction with services from GP practices and for a number of questions, Sheffield practices scores improved from last year.

Dr Tim Moorhead, Sheffield GP and Chair of NHS Sheffield CCG said: “The results from this year’s survey are great and it is encouraging to see following extra investment from the CCG and hard work from practices that scores have improved since last year.

“We do know however that we have opportunities to improve access to care, making appointments and GP waiting times and we’re working hard to do this. Our 16 neighbourhoods have now developed into 15 primary care networks. Through these networks we will ensure all practices provide the same high levels of quality and access and will continue sharing information and best practice.”

The survey also asked patients about their experiences of NHS services when their GP practice is closed. Patients in Sheffield reported higher levels of satisfaction than nationally, and an improvement in experience since last year with 94% saying they had confidence and trust in staff providing services when GP practice is closed.

All GP practices in Sheffield are members of NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the GP patient survey will help to identify key opportunities and influence the CCG’s decision making around primary care for the future. The team at NHS Sheffield CCG are working to analyse the data and identify next steps.

 

Information from the survey:

• For all questions that related to people’s satisfaction with services Sheffield was within one or two percent of the national average.
• Sheffield was above the national average for the majority of questions relating to satisfaction with services from GP practices.
• Overall experience: Results from the recent GP Patient Survey found that 84% of patients rated their GP practice as ‘Very good’ or ‘Fairly good’. This was slightly higher that the national average of 83% and a slight improvement on last year (2018=83%)
• Receptionists: For the second year in a row 89% of those surveyed found Sheffield GP receptionists to be helpful (same as national average)
• Appointments:

2/3 of patients rated their experience of making an appointment as ‘very good’ or ‘fairly good’. This was the same as the national average of 67%, and a slight improvement on last year (2018=66%)

63% said that they were offered a choice of appointment. This was slightly higher than the national average of 62%, and a slight improvement on last year (2018=62%)

75% said that they were satisfied with the type of appointment offered. This was slightly higher than the national average of 74%, and a slight improvement on last year (2018=74%)

64% said that they were satisfied with appointment times available. This was slightly lower than the national average of 65%, but a slight improvement on last year (2018=62%)

For the questions related to satisfaction making an appointment, nationally the score went down– patients were slightly less satisfied in 2019 than they were in 2018 for each of the questions. However in Sheffield scores went up – patients were slightly more satisfied in 2019 than they were in 2018 for each of the questions.

• 88% of those surveyed said the last healthcare professional that they saw at their practice was ‘very good’ or ‘good’ at treating them with care and concern
• 94% said that their needs were met at their last general practice appointment
• 85% felt that their healthcare professional recognised and/or understood any mental health needs that they might have had
• The survey also tells us about people’s experiences of NHS services when their GP practice is closed.

Patients in Sheffield reported higher levels of satisfaction than nationally, and an improvement in experience since last year.

68% felt that the time it took to receive care or advice when their GP practice was closed was ‘about right’. This was higher than the national average of 66%, and an improvement on last year (2018=64%)

94% had confidence and trust in staff providing services when GP practice is closed. This was higher than the national average of 91%, and an improvement on last year (2018=92%)

70% would describe their overall experience of services when their GP practice was closed as ‘good’ or ‘fairly good’. This was higher than the national average of 69%, and an improvement on last year (2018=69%)