Poll plea to make GP surgeries better

THE public is being urged to help improve their local GP practice by sending back completed survey forms.

The final National Patient Experience poll for 2009 was sent out in October — anyone who still has a copy is urged to return it in the freepost envelope provided.

The survey, which goes to a random sample of Oldham four times a year, is a chance for the public to have their say on what needs to be improved.

A high response rate is useful in order to produce a true reflection.

Jennifer Richards, practice manager at Dr Addy and Nelson’s practice, Nugget Street, Oldham, said: “It’s important that patients let us know what they think.”

Improvements made in response to previous feedback include offering appointments later in the evening, earlier in the morning and at weekends.

Helen Bickerstaffe, practice nurse at Dr Duru’s practice, at the new Oldham Integrated Care Centre, said: “We have recently started to offer practice nurse appointments from 8am each morning.

“This has improved access for clients who are working and reduces the need for people to take time off work to attend health-related appointments and screening.”

New schemes, which vary in each practice, include more telephone lines, a text message reminder service, the ability to book and order repeat prescriptions online and a wider range of services on site, including counselling and physiotherapy.

Shauna Dixon, director of clinical leadership at NHS Oldham, said: “It really is worth taking some time to fill out the survey as it is only by learning people’s views that we can make things better.”