Cumbria GPs high in 'satisfaction ' survey (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cumbria GPs high in 'satisfaction ' survey

3:53pm Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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FAMILY doctors in Cumbria enjoy some of the highest patient satisfaction rates in England, according to a major new health survey.

The GP Patient Survey, the biggest healthcare survey of its kind, found that overall satisfaction with surgeries in Cumbria was 95 per cent.

This was higher than the 91 per cent national average and joint highest in the North West.

Almost 25,000 patients in Cumbria responded to this year’s survey, which was carried out by the Department of Health between January and April 2009.

Other key findings for Cumbria include: * 87 per cent of patients in Cumbria were satisfied with surgery opening hours, compared to the 82 per cent national average; * 82 per cent per cent were able to get an appointment with their chosen family doctor, compared to the 77 per cent national average; * 89 per cent were able to make an appointment with their GP fairly quickly, compared to the 84 per cent national average; * 97 per cent said they had confidence and trust in their doctor, compared to the 95 per cent national average.

Dr Ian Mitchell is a GP and the chairman of NHS Cumbria’s Professional Executive Committee said: “These results are a real feather in the cap for GPs and NHS Cumbria.

“Family doctors are now in the driving seat when it comes to delivering improved health services for patients, closer to home.

“We will be using the results from this year’s GP Patient Survey to help deliver further improvements in the future.”