Access to GPs and dentists

Access to family doctors and GPs has come under the spotlight once more following a large poll of patients' experiences for the Healthcare Commission.

While the seeming problem of getting an appointment with these primary care providers has been raised on a number of occasions during the last few years, the survey provides wide-scale evidence about the situation from 69,000 patients.

The problem with access varies widely across England, with patients in some NHS trusts easily gaining appointments while others in different trusts struggle.

Patients who wish to make an urgent appointment with a healthcare professional should be able to see a GP within two working days or a practice nurse within one working day.

But in the highest scoring NHS trust 89 per cent of patients were able to see a GP within two days compared to just 43 per cent in the lowest scoring trust.

As well as being able to make an appointment with a doctor within two working days, people should also be able to book a routine appointment with a doctor three or more working days in advance.

The Healthcare Commission study showed that 93 per cent of respondents in one trust said they were able to do so but in the lowest scoring trust on this issue only 48 per cent could.

On access to dental care, nationally, just over a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents do not see an NHS or private dentist on a regular basis but at several trusts this was as high as 43 per cent of respondents.

Of all those who do not currently visit a dentist as an NHS patient, over three quarters (79 per cent) said that they would like to be able to do so - ranging from 65 per cent to 89 per cent in trusts across England.

inthenews.co.uk brings you key comments on the issue.