National GP Patient Survey
The national GP Patient Survey is an independent survey run by Ipsos MORI on behalf of NHS England. The latest survey ran between January and March 2023.
We were ranked 4th of 157 GP surgeries in Sussex. We were delighted with the results and thank all those that responded. 95% of respondents describe their overall experience of the practice as good. 98% had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to during their last general practice appointment. 96% felt their needs were met during their last general practice appointment. Read the full results at the Ipsos MORI website GP Patient Survey.
We will be working with our Patient Participation Group on the actions from the survey.
Last year’s actions included:
- Online services – continue to promote the new NHS App, Engage Consultations and online patient services
- Long term conditions – continue to promote healthy living and the support offered by One You for smoking cessation, weight management and exercise advice; and social prescribers for support and help accessing other health & social care services.
Friends and Family
We regularly ask patients by text message or in the waiting room if they would recommend our GP Practice to friends and family.
In May 2023, 91% of respondents replied ‘very good’ to the question ‘overall, how was your experience of our service?’ and 9% responded ‘good’.
Comments include:
- Parking – we recognise that parking is difficult at both Oldwood and Battle Health Centre. We have introduced staff parking permits at Battle Health Centre and have written to local businesses and residents asking them not to park in our spaces during our opening hours. At Oldwood Surgery staff park off site where possible and we are ensuring there are plenty of parking spaces in the plans for our new building.
- Waiting times – we appreciate that waiting times can sometimes be long. Appointments are 10 minutes per patient but depending upon the problem being discussed, some patients require longer. Patients are being asked to say at the start of their appointment if they have more than one problem they wish to discuss so the GP can assess if it can all be dealt with in one appointment or if the patient is better to book a second appointment to discuss the other issues.
- Chair with arms – we were asked if we could provide chairs with arms in the waiting rooms to help people to stand up. This has been done at both Oldwood Surgery and Battle Health Centre.
- Arrivals screens – these are not mandatory to use so if you prefer to speak to the receptionist, please do. Patients have asked if we can add the current waiting time but this isn’t possible.
- Facilities – we are aware our facilities and space at Oldwood Surgery are limited. We are continuing to work on plans for our new building in Robertsbridge and will update the website as soon as there is more news.
- Radio – some patients like it; others do not. We are aware that the waiting room is very small at Oldwood and the radio reduces some people overhearing conversations at the reception desk.
- Booking appointments – all GPs have a mix of on the day urgent and book in advance appointments at both Oldwood and Battle. The further ahead you book, the more choice you will have of GP and location. If you need an urgent appointment, we try to offer flexibility but it will depend upon who has appointments available and where they are working. For more information on booking appointments, click on ‘Appointments’ at the top of our home page.
- Extended access – we offer evening appointments, booked in advance, on Wednesdays and Thursdays 6.30pm to 8.00pm. You can also book to see a GP at another local practice on Monday and Friday evenings and Saturday mornings; and by telephone on Sunday mornings. Speak to our reception team to find out more.
- Automated calling system – feedback from our GPs and clinical staff is that they like getting up from their desk and walking down the corridor to get you.
- Text message appointment reminders – we would love to be able to add more information to our text message appointment reminders but it is an automated system and we are not able to make any changes.
- Medical leaflets/information – our GPs will often recommend useful sources of information for your medical condition. If you are worried you won’t remember, ask them to write it down for you and they will gladly do this.
