Patients want appointment improvements

Britons are generally not confident that they would be seen quickly in A&E (62%), that they could book a GP appointment quickly at a time that suits them (61%), nor that an ambulance would arrive quickly if they needed one (55%), new research reveals.

©StockSnap/Pixabay

©StockSnap/Pixabay

A new poll by market research firm Ipsos, taken 23-26 August, examines attitudes towards the current state of the NHS and perceptions of GPs.

When asked about what improvements they would like to see at their GP practice, respondents said they would like it to be easier to make a face-to-face appointment (56%), followed by shorter waiting times for an appointment (53%), and making it easier to book an appointment (52%).

When asked about ideal appointment length, 34% of respondents think that a standard appointment at their GP practice should be 15 minutes, 22% believe that it should be 10 minutes, 21% say it should be extended to 20 minutes, with a further 12% saying that half an hour is an ideal length.

Kate Duxbury, Ipsos research director, health and social care, said: ‘It shows a lack of confidence in their ability to get a GP appointment quickly at a time that suits them, and a desire for improvements in how easy it is to get a face-to-face appointment, waiting times, and how easy it is to book an appointment.

'Despite this, around half say they were able to cover everything or most things they wanted to last time they saw or spoke to a healthcare professional at their GP practice.'

CQC
Four in 10 waiting too long for mental health care, CQC finds

Four in 10 waiting too long for mental health care, CQC finds

By Lee Peart 03 April 2025

Four in 10 people are waiting too long to access community mental health services, according to the CQC.

NHS dissatisfaction hits record levels

By Lee Peart 02 April 2025

NHS dissatisfaction levels have hit record levels with just one in five people (21%) content with services.

Sir Jim Mackey reveals NHS and ICB cost-cutting plans

By Lee Peart 02 April 2025

Newly installed NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey has set out plans to cut costs at NHS trusts and ICBs.


Popular articles by Liz Wells