HEALTH AND CARE: Primary care survey results are in

We asked about how important seeing the same GP is, the need for extended hours, use of digital technology, the potential of visiting nearby GP surgeries and seeing other professionals.

We received over 6,000 responses overall, representing more than one per cent of our population.

Moreover, we received over 4,300 comments on ‘What one thing could we do to improve your experience of local NHS services?’.

Over the next few weeks we will be reporting back the results and this week it’s all about primary care.

To find out how important seeing the same GP is, we asked patients about four different scenarios shown in the graph above.

Most people would prefer to see the same GP for long-term condition but happy to see a new GP more quickly for a new or sudden illness such as a cough or back pain.

People were more divided about a mental health problems, and it did vary with age.

One of the key elements of the CCG’s Primary Care Strategy is for local GP surgeries to be able to work together and to share capacity.

This might mean attending sessions at other nearby GP practices, or indeed having newly-established hubs or clinics locally.

There is clear endorsement for having a specialist clinic, hospital tests done locally, and seeing specialist doctors with nearly a third of respondents calling this ‘ideal’ and over 90 per cent feeling this is acceptable in some measure.

Another area of substantial development is the potential for technology to improve access to advice and treatment.

Increasingly people are using, and expecting to use, digital forms of accessing information and communication.

We asked how people would feel about communicating with their GP practices by email, texting and using video interaction (e.g. Skype).

Overall 63 per cent thought it was acceptable in some form to email, 42 per cent were interested in text communication.

The response to video interaction services was much more mixed.

We also asked people which sources of information they would find useful.

Approximately two thirds said they would find information on websites and leaflets useful.

Fewer people were interested in telephone advice lines or specialist organisations.

A higher proportion of younger people (aged under 65) were more likely to use all the information channels but a higher proportion of older people preferred leaflets from GPs and telephone advice lines.

You can find out more about the survey and the results on our website: www.coastalwestsussexccg.nhs.uk

• Next week – It’s all about urgent care!

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