Patients in Suffolk say their GPs are doing a good job, says the latest survey.

The national Department of Health survey asked patients a series of questions, with the results assessed at a national and PCT area level, with issues covered including ease of making an appointment, satisfaction with opening hours and the quality of care received from GPs and surgery nurses.

For GP practices in the NHS Suffolk area patients reported:

• 91% had a good overall experience of using their GP surgery (88% national average)
• 85% would recommend their GP surgery (82% national average)
• 94% found their appointment convenient (93% national average)
• 82% were satisfied with GP surgery opening hours (81% national average) which included 43% who were very satisfied (39% national average)

Commenting on the survey results, Dr John Havard, a local GP in Saxmundham, said: “These results are a testament to the hard work of all our Suffolk GP practice teams who should be proud of achieving such an impressive level of patient feedback. As changes take place within the NHS over the next year, Suffolk GPs will all be striving to give an even stronger focus on local needs.”

 The full results of the Department of Health patient survey can be found at www.gp-patient.co.uk