Who are you seeing today

Healthwatch Bolton undertook research on patients’ views about which primary care professional they prefer to see at Pikes Lane Surgery. They spoke to eight patients on 17 November 2016 while they were waiting for appointments, exploring preferences for GPs and practice nurses, continuity of care and communication with healthcare professionals. 

All patients felt they had seen the right clinician for their needs and were generally positive about the care they received. Many stressed the importance of continuity of care and said they preferred to see a particular GP because that doctor knew their medical history and circumstances. Patients also emphasised the value of being listened to, having sufficient time to discuss concerns and being involved in decisions about their treatment. 

Several female patients said there were occasions when they preferred to see a female GP, particularly for personal or gender-specific health issues. However, most said they would still be willing to see a male GP if necessary. Patients generally reported good experiences of accessing care and felt that appointments with a preferred GP were worth waiting for if it meant maintaining continuity of care. 

Healthwatch Bolton concluded that patients were highly satisfied with the practice and valued both the quality of care and the ability to request a particular GP. The report found that continuity of care, respectful communication and seeing the most appropriate clinician were key factors in positive patient experiences.