Registering with a GP

Healthwatch Dorset report on the local findings of research undertaken by the five Healthwatch in Wessex about registering with a GP and getting an appointment. Focussing on phone lines and websites, Healthwatch Dorset volunteers anonymously telephoned all 97 GP practices in the county to ask about how to register as a patient with the practice and how book an appointment. They also telephoned the practices out of hours to listen to their phone messages and crossreferenced this with information found on the practices’ websites.

They found that:

93% of practices required proof of ID and address to register. 

The longest waiting time for a routine appointment was four weeks.  Usually people could get a same day appointment for urgent issues.  Appointments could be booked in a variety of ways.

They found many discrepancies between the information given over the phone and information provided on practice websites and NHS Choices (and on Google)

All but one recorded message stated the surgery name.  18% didn't state the practice opening hours.

All practice websites were checked for Out of Hours advice and information. Whilst all except 1 had some kind of information or signposting, many only gave a very brief summary.