GP Access Survey 2026

Healthwatch Harrow undertook a survey on the topic of GP access. 91 people completed it.

Appointments

• Half of respondents (49%) usually book their appointment by phone, with 43% booking online, and 8% preferring in-person. Fewer than half (46%) find it ‘easy’ to book appointments.
• A broad majority of respondents (81%) usually feel respected and supported when booking their appointments.
• A quarter (26%) can usually make telephone contact within one minute.
• Around two thirds of respondents (64%) can ‘easily’ find the online form.  Just over half (53%) find the form easy to complete. 

Waiting Times

•  Around half of respondents (53%) are usually seen the same day for emergency appointments. A quarter (28%) say they have waited 3 days or longer.
• For routine appointments, over half of respondents (57%) wait 4 days, or more. 

Consultations 

• When booking, two thirds of respondents (69%) have been offered a choice of consultation method (in-person, telephone, video).
• Just 31% are able to see their preferred GP or nurse.
• A broad majority of respondents (84%) have experienced a remote appointment. Half (51%) feel that remote consultations have fully met their needs.
• A clear majority (86%) say they are usually called back within the expected time.
• A broad majority of respondents (79%) express satisfaction with their practice, on the whole.