Report criticises GP advance appointments

Nearly a third of patients are unable to make an appointment to see their GP more than three days in advance, a new report has claimed.

A survey of 117,000 patients in England by the Healthcare Commission found that most people were satisfied with the care they received from their GPs and dentists.

However, 30% complained that they were unable to make advance appointments to see their doctor.

During the election campaign, Prime Minister Tony Blair came under criticism over the unavailability of advance GP appointments on BBC 1’s ‘Question Time’ show. Diana Church, a member of the audience, told Mr Blair that she could only book an appointment within 48 hours, because of government targets.

The targets, which state that patients should wait no longer than 48 hours to see a GP or 24 hours to see a primary care professional, has reportedly led to many surgeries refusing to take advance bookings.

Dental services were also criticised in the Healthcare Commission’s report. It found that 43% of those questioned were not registered with a dentist, although two thirds of respondents wanted to be.

The Conservatives said that the government targets were responsible for the lack of advance appointments. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “The 48 hour target does not make it easier to see a doctor. On the contrary, it reduces a GPs flexibility to manage patient demand and creates a no win situation.”

Mr Lansley also said that the government had “done nothing” to address the “dentistry crisis”. He said: “Policies could be implemented to bring the NHS dentistry back to high street, but despite repeated warnings, the government continues to sit back while the nation’s teeth rot.”

The government has now announced that it will introduce measures to guarantee that patients will be able to book an advance appointment with a GP.

Commenting on the Healthcare Commission’s report, Health Minister Lord Warner said: “It is unacceptable that some practices are still not allowing patients to book an advance appointment with a GP. Patients rightly expect to see a GP at a convenient time more than two days in advance.

"They should not face the frustration of having to call their practice back on the day they want an appointment. Practices must already offer quick access to a GP, but we will move to guarantee patients more flexible access if they want to book ahead.

“The 24/48 hour access target is a key priority and has – by any measure – led to patients being able to see a GP more quickly.”

(KMcA)