GP care satisfaction rates in Scotland

27/07/2010

Ninety per cent of patients rated the overall care provided by their GP surgery as 'good' or 'excellent' according to new figures released today.

The findings were included in the first GP Patient Experience Survey National Report published by the Scottish Government.

The study which saw patients report back on their experiences of visiting the doctor also found:

·          81 per cent rated the overall arrangements to see a doctor as good or excellent

·          87 per cent rated the overall arrangements to see a nurse as good or excellent

·          94 per cent of patients found the receptionist polite and helpful always or most of the time

Minister for Public Health and Sport, Shona Robison, said:

"The Scottish Government's vision is to create an NHS which has people at its centre where everyone can expect to be partners in their own care.

"That is why the information contained within these patient experience surveys is vitally important. Only by listening to patients and finding out what people really think about the treatment and care they receive can we drive up standards and truly deliver on the ambitions laid out in the Quality Strategy.

"These survey results show that the vast majority of patients are satisfied with the care their GP practices provide and I would like to pay tribute to staff who are working hard to ensure patients receive the best standards across the health service.

"The findings do identify some areas causing patients concern and we expect NHS boards to work with their GP practices in addressing these. A variety of activities will be undertaken in the coming months that will support boards and practices to involve patients in developing improvement plans based on the findings."

The report presents the findings of the Scottish GP Patient Experience Survey and is the first national report published that provides information on the quality of healthcare experience for those using General Practitioner services in all 14 NHS health boards. The findings are based on the responses of 185,989 adults.

The provisional results for hospitals in Scotland included in the inpatient patient experience survey were also published today. The final reports will be published in September.