Doctors given a clean bill of health

THE prognosis is good for GP practices across Oldham, with the majority of patients saying it is easy to secure an appointment.

In a national access survey which was conducted between January and March, 84 per cent of Oldhamers claimed to be satisfied with their ability to get through to their practice over the phone, and 80 per cent said that they were able to make an appointment within 48 hours.

The survey, involving almost two million patients across the country, also found that 73 per cent of Oldhamers were able to book an appointment more than two days ahead, slightly lower than the national average of 77 per cent

A further 87 per cent were able to make an appointment with a specific GP, roughly in line with the national average.

Primary care trust bosses welcomed the results as a valuable picture of GP services across the borough.

“I am very pleased that so many people in Oldham remain so satisfied with the service they get from their GP surgeries.

“All our practices are working hard to listen to what out patients want and to respond to it.

“More than half have extended their opening times and are offering extra sessions for patients at different times of the day and week.

“Others have put in extra phone lines so that people find it easier to get through.”

Dr Kailash Chand, Oldham’s British Medical Association representative, said: “With a limited number of appointments in any one day, practices try very hard to strike a balance between making sure patients who want to book ahead are able to do so and ensuring there are enough empty appointments for emergencies.

“On the whole, surgeries are getting it right.”