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Report reveals variation in GP and dentist access

31/07/2008

Access to GPs and dentists varies widely across England, according to a poll of 69,000 people released today by the Healthcare Commission.

Patients who wish to make an urgent appointment with a healthcare professional should be able to see a GP within two working days or a practice nurse within one working day.

While the watchdog's survey revealed that there has been some improvement in timely access to services at a GP practice or health centre, it also found that in the highest scoring NHS trust 89 per cent of patients were able to see a GP within two days compared to just 43 per cent in the lowest scoring trust.

As well as being able to make an appointment with a doctor within two working days, people should also be able to book a routine appointment with a doctor three or more working days in advance.

The Healthcare Commission study showed that 93 per cent of respondents in one trust said they were able to do so but in the lowest scoring trust on this issue only 48 per cent could.

It also found that that there has been a decline in recent years in how convenient patients think the opening hours of their GP practice or health centre are.

One quarter of respondents in 2008 said that they had at some time been put off going to their GP practice or health centre because the opening times were inconvenient for them, up from 21 per cent in 2005.

Respondents of working age (16 - 65 years) were much more likely to report that practice opening hours were inconvenient for them.

On access to dental care, nationally, just over a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents do not see an NHS or private dentist on a regular basis but at several trusts this was as high as 43 per cent of respondents.

Of all those who do not currently visit a dentist as an NHS patient, over three quarters (79 per cent) said that they would like to be able to do so - ranging from 65 per cent to 89 per cent in trusts across England.

Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker said the access issues raised by the poll are ones that "a modern 21st century health service really ought to be able to address".

"People clearly do want to be able to see a GP more easily and at more convenient times. It was striking that some people could not get an appointment within two days and that there are variations around the country," she added.

"Access to NHS dental care is also a continuing concern… regular dental treatment is important for maintaining good oral hygiene. If a large proportion of people do not receive this treatment regularly, we could be facing a significant national health problem in years to come."

Commenting on the survey, the British Dental Association (BDA) said it sends a "powerful message about the state of NHS dentistry".

"The concern highlighted by the Healthcare Commission is that real problems for patients could be being stored up for the future," said Susie Sanderson, chair of the BDA's executive board.

"It's vital that urgent action is taken to tackle the flaws in the current NHS arrangements for dentistry. We also need to start looking carefully about what is meant by access to an NHS dentist and recognising the importance of the continuity of care."