A selection of patients across the Island will receive a GP Patient Survey in the post next week (from Monday 2 September). The survey is part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s ongoing work to improve health services, and it asks about patient experiences of GP practices and other local health services.
Around 8,500 patients will receive a survey, a sample which is expected to give a broad spectrum of feedback. The last GP Patient Survey in 2015 covered all aspects of the service provided and showed an overall positive response of 92% of patients being happy with their GP practice.
The survey, which has been jointly devised by the Department and Ipsos MORI, will be distributed by post to patients whose names were chosen at random from the NHS list of patients registered with a GP. The deadline for completed surveys to be returned is 18 October 2019.
The survey comprises a range of topics vital to client service satisfaction. Each section asks questions relating to personal experience in the following areas:
- Accessing GP Services
- Making an appointment
- General health
- Out of hours GP services
- NHS Dental Services
Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said:
‘Surveys like this are instrumental in the development of our services. This is a real opportunity for patients to provide feedback on the services they receive from their GP practice and to influence the way they’re provided in future.
‘The data received this year will for the first time, be used to inform the Department’s Health Outcomes Framework, which monitors services on the Island and shapes future development.
He added:
‘I would encourage those who receive the survey to fill it in and return it. Around 10% of the Island’s population will be sent a survey so it’s vital we receive as many responses as possible. Even if you haven’t visited your GP practice recently, or if you have filled in a questionnaire before, it’s still really important that we hear from you.’
The survey will come with a pre-paid envelope which will be addressed to the GP Patient Survey and the collated results will analysed by Ipsos MORI. The full results of the survey will be published at the end of November 2019.
Further information regarding Privacy Policies can be found at www.ipsos.uk/isleofmanGPPS
In addition to this survey, patients are also reminded that they can give feedback on GP services at any time at www.tinyurl.com/iomgp.
