Devon patients rate their GP practice among best in the country

Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) member GP practices have been rated among the highest in the country – by the patients they serve.

A national survey showed that patient experience of local doctors’ surgeries in Devon was consistently better than the England average.

Almost nine in ten Devon patients said they would recommend their GP surgery to someone who has just moved to the area and 95 per cent said they had confidence and trust in their GP.

A total of 84 per cent of patients in Devon reported they found it easy to get through to someone at their GP surgery on the phone, compared with 75 per cent nationally. Nine in ten said the receptionists at their GP surgery were helpful and four in five said their GP was good at involving them in decisions about their care.

Dr David Jenner, a GP from Cullompton and chair of Eastern Locality of Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG, said he was pleased that patients were reporting positive experiences at their local GP practice.

“Nine of our ten patient contacts with the NHS is with a GP so we are pleased that the results of the GP survey show our patients have confidence in their local GP practice,” he said.

“One of the main themes of our CCG is to involve patients more in decisions about their care and we are pleased that our GP practices are helping patients to do this.

“The best way people can make a difference at their GP practice is by joining its patient participation group.

“Some of the issues the groups cover include practical matters such as car parking and avoiding missed appointments, as well as developments such as online booking and training staff.

“This is just one of a number of ways patients can get involved in influencing healthcare decisions and we’d encourage them to visit our CCG website at www.newdevonccg.nhs.uk to find out more.”