GP websites revisited

Healthwatch Oxfordshire published a report in April 2021 reviewing the websites of 67 GP practices.  This is a follow up report to see what progress has been made against the recommendations.

They found that not all websites had addressed their recommendations, however there are improvements in:

• accessibility of information about registering at practices
• availability of information about Patient Participation Groups.

Of concern is that websites did not give information to patients who to contact if they cannot find a GP to register with. This must be addressed by clear signage to the OCCG website and giving the contact telephone number for the OCCG.

Not all GP websites had any information on translation and interpreting services.

All GP websites should:

• Make it more obvious on the front page how to translate the website and check this is working
• There needs to be, on the front page, clear and easily accessible information about all patients’ right to interpreter (spoken language and sign language) at all appointments and how to ask for this.