A new map shows the UK’s best and worst GP surgeries – search to check the doctors where you live.
The Reach Data Unit has created a tool where you can search for your GP and get data such as the percentage of appointments three weeks or more after booking, the percentage of appointments on the same day, the average number of days between booking and seeing a GP, and the percentage of appointments that were face-to-face.
The data used in the map comes from appointments which took place in February at over 6,200 GP surgeries across the country.
Nationally, 67 percent of appointments in February were face-to-face. 44 percent were on the same day the booking was made, 8.8 percent took place over 21 days after booking, and the average wait time was two to seven days.
NHS figures released in January showed that one in six wait at least two weeks to see a GP and one in 20 wait at least four weeks.
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said: “The NHS is meeting its targets, with hard-working GPs and their teams making tremendous progress across the country.
“But we know there is more to do – that’s why the NHS is implementing the major plan we announced last year to improve access to GP services, which includes upgrading telephone systems to make it easier for patients to contact their surgery.
“And we’ve boosted the workforce with an additional 36,000 staff joining GP teams since 2019, all helping to deliver even more appointments.”
Primary Care Minister Andrea Leadsom said: “We are determined to make our healthcare system faster, simpler and fairer for all patients.”
She added: “This data shows that through the incredible work of GPs and their teams, we are now delivering significantly more appointments per working day compared to the same time last year.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone who needs an appointment is able to get one, and our primary care recovery plan demonstrates how we will deliver for all patients who use our fantastic NHS.
“Our goals are clear, and we have already delivered on a number of pledges – including exceeding our target of 50 million additional general practice appointments per year, several months ahead of schedule.”
Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Millions of people are being left anxious or waiting in pain because they can’t get an appointment with their GP.”
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