Young people's GP access report

Healthwatch Wakefield was established under The Health and Social Care Act 2012 and commenced in April 2013. It provides an opportunity for local people to have a stronger voice to influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided. Young Healthwatch in particular gives a voice to children and young people. It is open to those aged 8-18 years, and up to 25 years for those who are vulnerable and those with disabilities. It gives these individuals an opportunity to identify issues and gaps in services and to help shape and develop services.

There were 1,531 surveys completed in total, of which 84% were 11-16 years old and 16% were 17-24 years old. Over half had visited their GP in the last six months, with 688 of those aged 11-16 years. Nearly 50% of respondents came from the two most deprived quintiles of Wakefield. White Rose Surgery and Outwood Surgery had the highest number of respondents due to Outwood Grange academy and Minsthorpe Community College taking part.

On the whole young people reported that they are treated well. The barriers reported are similar to adult experiences around access. 46% got through to their doctor by phone always or most of the time and 33% said it was easy or fairly easy to get a same day appointment. 50% said they could book an appointment at a time that suited them. 60% said they had a good experience at the doctors; 27% said it was sometimes good and sometimes bad. 22% made their own appointments, mostly the older age group; however 30% of all respondents were not aware that they could be seen without a parent. 91 respondents aged 17-24 said they did not usually make their own appointment and this was done by a parent or carer. Six of these respondents were not aware that they could book appointments independently. When asked how they would like to make appointments, the majority, 71%, said by phone, then online, then in person and then by text messaging. Page 5 of 35 47% said they felt the doctor or nurse involved them in decisions about their care, however 7% did not feel involved in decisions about their care and 38% said sometimes they felt involved. 42% knew how they could make a complaint if they wanted to.