Giving GP Websites a Check-up

Healthwatch Cambridge and Peterborough wanted to find out how easy it was to find current information on surgery websites about how to access GP services and keep safe and well during the pandemic. They carried out a website audit of GP surgeries throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and checked how easy it was to find key information that was up to date, clear and easy to understand.  They audited 98 surgery websites. The work was carried out between 24 June and 12 July 2020.

From the data collected, it is clear there is a big difference in the quality of GP websites. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted normal working practices and care, at the time of the audit, websites have obviously not been a priority for some surgeries for some time. Half of GP websites did not have the latest Covid-19 guidance for the public. Just 22 out of 98 websites had links to information about changes to cancer services during the pandemic. It was difficult to find information about advocacy support for making a complaint.  72 sites had links to self-care information, but some links did not work. Less than half had information about the practices’ Patient Participation Groups. Two out of three sites did not have good examples of accessible information for patients with sensory loss or learning disabilities. The volunteers who undertook the research said they liked sites containing relevant content presented in a straightforward way and highlighted examples of them.

There were six recommendations about consistency of information and standard of presentation and content; accurate, up to date and easy to understand information, ease of making an appointment, improving accessibility and information about making a complaint.