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.'