Burtonwood GP access report 2020
Download (PDF 1.69 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Warrington undertook a survey of access to GP services for the residents of Burtonwood, a village on the borders of Warrington and St Helens. They undertook a survey of local residents and received 183 responses.
Most people (73%) experienced difficulties in getting through to their GP practice on the phone. 79% of respondents found it difficult to get to appointments and 82% weren’t happy with surgery opening times. More than three-quarters hadn’t accessed out of hours services.
The respondents were confused that GP services in a Warrington village were operated by St Helens CCG. Although there are services set up in the Burtonwood area, the opening times are not sufficient and when they are able to get appointments they are normally in the other practices situated in St Helens, Earlestown or Newton Le Willows. This caused issues as access to the town via public transport is poor and although the community bus goes some way to ease the situation it isn’t available all the time. There were concerns that new housing planned for the village would only make matters worse.
There were 5 recommendations to improve access to GP services in Burtonwood.