GP Access Report

News - 4 October 2024

Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin received multiple people’s stories regarding their access to GPs across Telford and Wrekin through late 2022 and the first part of 2023, many of these were negative. Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin decided it needed to provide people with an opportunity have their voice heard through a focussed survey and then to write a report based on the findings.

The survey received over 9,200 responses about GP Access.
Doctor and Patient

Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin wanted to give every person the opportunity to have their voice heard regarding their experiences of accessing their GP. People certainly did that with hundreds of responses coming in weekly. Many people have expressed frustration when it comes to their experiences of trying to access primary care.

For many people, their views are informed by what they consider to be poor experiences. There is a danger that given the high levels of dissatisfaction that this report could have become an angry response focusing on negativity. We have tried to present a balanced view based on everyone’s views including experiences which are positive.

Reassuringly once people have actually got to the appointment their experience becomes more positive in the support, care and treatment they receive from primary care team members of different roles. Although for some this is not always the case.

Downloads

Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin GP Access Report Sep 2024
Download (PDF 887 KB)

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