GP websites review
Download (PDF 1.33 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Wiltshire undertook mystery shopping of the websites of all 49 GP practices in the county. They wanted to assess how useful, accessible, up-to-date and informative the GP websites were and identify examples of best practice.
The majority of the websites were easy to find, navigate, read and understand. However, there was significant variation in the quality and quantity of the information.
Most contained a large amount of information. However, access to the information could be confusing, with numerous points of .access
The information available on home pages was variable, with some missing altogether or difficult to find. The easiest websites to navigate were intuitive, clear and straightforward, with a search function and the key information on the home page.
A significant number of websites had a pop-up link to NHS Covid-19 information on their front pages. It would be helpful if all surgeries followed this practice, to ensure that the general Covid-19 information provided is consistent and up-to-date.
There was a varied response to the provision of a facility to translate information into other languages, ranging from excellent and easy to access to inadequate or unavailable.
Most websites had up-to-date information including some form of news page. The majority varied in their position from headings along the top of the website to drop down boxes. However, several websites had Covid-19 information (symptoms, precautions and vaccinations) that was out-of-date, not dated, or missing.
The report has a number of recommendations on the elements that make up a good GP website.