Colchester ranked: GP Patient Survery 2024 results

Thousands of GP users across North East Essex have answered the GP Patient Survey, a nationwide project which gathers data about patient’s experiences of their GP practices.

For the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System survey, which includes practices in Colchester and the surrounding areas, 28,328 questionnaires were sent out.

However, there was only a response rate of 38 per cent, as 10,693 questionnaires were returned completed.

Medical - a doctor (Image: Pexels)

The data was collected by IPSOS and the NHS between January 2 to March 25.

The typical questions that patients had to answer were based on GP practice services, your last contact with your practice, your last appointment, the overall experience and when your GP practice is closed.

There were also questions related to your health, pharmacy, dentistry and some background questions.

The main question is on your overall experience with the surgery.

Residents’ responses are then graded by the percentage of people who picked from the options: very good, fairly good, neither good nor poor, fairly poor, and very poor.

The results are then finally ranked on how ‘good’ they are.

Here is how the surgeries in the Colchester area ranked by overall experience:

Matt Carter, the practice manager at Mill Road Surgery, in Mile End, was thrilled with the rating.

The survey also found 47 per cent of people felt it was easy to contact the surgery on the phone and 95 per cent said reception staff were helpful. 

Mr Carter said: "We are incredibly proud of these results that reflect the hard work put in by every member of staff in the surgery.  

"In a time where primary care resources are scarce, we must continue to work on new ways to adapt to ongoing demand in order to increase patient access to services. 

"We thank our patients for their continued support, understanding, and positive feedback this past year.

GP practice - Mill Road (Image: Matt Carter)

"And of course thanks to our Patient Participation Group (PPG) who allow us to get a better understanding of patient experience and demand which helps improve our services."

For the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System overall, 74 per cent of patients felt that the length of time waiting for an appointment was about right, nationally the percentage was 66 per cent.

The experience of contacting their GP practice was also rated higher than the national average at 71 percent, nationally it was 67 per cent.

The overall satisfaction of experience was rated at 77 per cent, and nationally It was 74 per cent.

However, only 50 per cent said it was easy to contact their GP practice through the NHS app, nationally it was lower at 45 per cent.

Practice - Bluebell Surgery (Image: Google Maps)

Lisa Nobes, Chief Nurse, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “Despite the ever-increasing demand for primary care services it is heartening that more than three-quarters of patients report a good overall level of satisfaction.

Lisa Nobes

“GP practices are staffed with a wide range of healthcare professionals, and all of them work incredibly hard and are doing their best for patients.

“We do know however that people’s experiences differ across the patch which is why our focus continues to be on enhancing primary care services and implementing further improvement.”