Rapid Engagement 8-8 GP Access Survey Results
Improving access to Primary care and General Practice (GP) is a key aspect of the South East London Sustainability and Transformation plan (STP). GP practices across Bexley are working together to improve GP services by creating more appointments, reduce waiting times and make sure residents have access to quality services across the Borough. The new service will be available between 8am-8pm, seven days a week, and will enable GP practices to refer patients to the service, either when the practice is closed, for example at the weekend, or if the practice does not have an appointment available.
Bexley’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is currently working with GP practices across Bexley to explore how the new service will be provided. Residents input is identified as a key aspect in this process to ensure the new service meets local needs. Healthwatch Bexley was subsequently invited to undertake a rapid engagement with local residents during a period of two weeks to gather feedback on the new proposals.
This document presents the views and comments obtained by residents in Bexley during 18th November to 4th December 2016. Healthwatch Bexley were provided with the questionnaire by the CCG and made some minor changes prior to the engagement to include questions such as “How far would you travel to see a doctor?”; “How do you usually travel to doctor appointments?” and “Would you access GP services at the weekend for non-urgent reasons?”.
In total, Healthwatch Bexley obtained the views of 200 residents, which resulted in 180 completed questionnaires. The questionnaires which were excluded were completed by residents whose GP is not in Bexley. The views and feedback collected during this engagement will feed into the service specification of this new service.
