North Somerset public meeting GP good practice report

Access to, and the services provided by GP practices in North Somerset are important issues for the public in North Somerset and as a primary care service, GP practices are the health service that the majority of the population access on an ongoing basis. Feedback indicates that GP services is the highest priority and is the most important issue for members of the public in North Somerset. Healthwatch North Somerset intelligence suggests that there are significant differences between GP practices in terms of opening times, how appointments can be booked, services offered at the practice and the general satisfaction of their patients with the service. Healthwatch North Somerset has also identified there is a lack of awareness around the relatively new 111 service, its functions and purpose, coupled with some expressions of dissatisfaction around the service provided and confusion about it. The public meeting aimed to clarify some of these issues and also served as a means of Healthwatch North Somerset gathering further intelligence around primary care issues.

The meeting was attended by approximately 45 members of the public who were each given a pack which included feedback forms and information about Healthwatch North Somerset. There was a table of information available about Healthwatch North Somerset and a table of information from the speakers for the public to pick up. The subject of the meeting and the individual presentations generated a great deal of interest and ensuing lively question and answer sessions.

Healthwatch North Somerset has identified there is a lack of awareness by the public about issues such as antibiotics for colds which could be tackled through public awareness campaigns. The public also lacked an understanding of the 111 service, its functions and purpose, coupled with some expressions of dissatisfaction around the service provided and confusion about it. The public meeting aimed to clarify some of these issues and also served as a means for Healthwatch North Somerset to gather further intelligence around primary care issues and gain a fuller understanding of the issues that are of concern to the public. This meeting will be followed by a Healthwatch North Somerset GP Practice survey which aims to identify more fully the picture of ‘Good Practice’ in North Somerset GP Practices.