Hearing the Views and Experiences of Students from Icknield Community College on Visiting their GP Practices

This Healthwatch Oxfordshire report explores the views and experiences of students from Icknield Community College when visiting GP practices. The project was developed in partnership with the Watlington and Chalgrove Patient Participation Group (PPG) to better understand young people's experiences of primary care, as their views were often underrepresented in patient feedback. Focus groups were conducted with 17 students from Years 8 and 9 who had visited a GP within the previous year. 

The students generally felt that GP surgeries were not particularly welcoming or designed with young people in mind. Waiting rooms were described as old-fashioned, dull, quiet and lacking activities relevant to teenagers. Students felt that reading materials were mainly aimed at younger children or older adults and suggested improvements such as teenager-focused magazines, games, puzzles, music, televisions, water dispensers and more colourful environments. 

A significant theme was the experience of reception and waiting areas. Many students used self-check-in screens rather than speaking to reception staff, but several felt this reduced personal interaction and could compromise privacy when their names appeared on display screens in small communities where people knew one another. Many students said they would prefer more direct engagement from reception staff. 

The students reported that reception staff often interacted primarily with parents rather than directly with young people. They felt that receptionists should acknowledge and engage with young people more, especially when they attend appointments independently.

In relation to confidentiality, most students were comfortable attending appointments with their parents or carers and did not express major concerns about privacy. However, many were unaware of their rights to make appointments independently and were uncertain whether surgeries would allow them to do so without parental involvement. 

Students reported low confidence in contacting GP practices themselves. Many believed receptionists would question why they were making appointments without a parent and felt uncomfortable telephoning the surgery. They expressed a preference for text messaging, online booking systems or dedicated mobile applications, which they felt would be easier and more suitable for young people. 

A particularly strong finding concerned involvement in consultations and decision-making. Many students felt that GPs directed conversations towards their parents rather than speaking directly to them. Several reported feeling that their own views and explanations were not fully listened to or taken seriously. Students wanted clinicians to communicate with them directly, explain procedures before carrying them out and involve them more actively in decisions about their care. 

Some students also reported concerns about continuity of care, noting that they often saw different GPs and would prefer to see someone familiar. Female students frequently expressed a preference for seeing female GPs. Students also highlighted the positive support they received from school nurses and welfare staff, whom they often found more approachable.

The report concluded that young people often felt overlooked within GP consultations and healthcare environments. Healthwatch recommended that receptionists engage more directly with young people, practices provide materials and resources aimed at teenagers in waiting rooms, and GPs speak directly to young people rather than focusing primarily on parents or carers. The report also recommended wider dissemination of these findings to GP practices across Oxfordshire to improve services for young people.