Every couple of years the PCT is required to undertake a patient survey to assess how well local primary care services are working from the point of view of local people. The survey is designed by the Healthcare Commission and all PCTs in England have to conduct it over the same time period.
This is a postal survey which is sent to a random sample of people drawn from the database of all people in the area registered with a GP. The survey is anonymous and it is not possible for a person to be identified from the responses they give.
This year the survey was sent to 1195 patients of which 545 were returned, a response rate of 47.1%.
Results are benchmarked against all other Primary Care Trusts nationally to show how East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT is doing compared to other PCTs.
This survey was last undertaken in 2005 and we are able to compare the results from 2008 against the previous survey. It should be noted that since this time the two former PCTs (Eastbourne Downs PCT and Sussex Downs and Weald PCT) have merged.
Key findings
Compared to the 2005 survey the PCT scored significantly better on two questions:
- Being allowed to book a doctor’s appointment 3 or more days in advance
- The specialist having all necessary information
There were three questions where the PCT scored lower than in 2005.
- Being contacted in the last 12 months for a check on long-term medication
- Getting through to GP practice by telephone
- Put off going to the GP practice due to inconvenient opening times.
All other comparable questions received the same or a very similar result in 2008 as in 2005.
When benchmarked against other trusts nationally the PCT faired well scoring in the top 20% of trusts for 12 questions.
There were only four areas where the PCT scored in the bottom 20% of trusts, these were related to:
- Being allowed to make a doctor’s appointment 3 or more days in advance (despite an improvement on results since 2005).
- Having checks to see how the person is getting on with their medicines.
- Being given advice on weight ion the past 12 months.
- Being given advice on eating a healthy diet in the past 12 months.
In addition to the points above, the survey highlights other areas where 50%+ of respondents felt there is room for improvement. These were:
- Being offered a choice of hospital at first referral
- GP not advising why choice was not offered
- Ability to get through to the GP practice by phone.
- Being asked about alcohol intake
- Patients not receiving letters sent between hospital and GP
The PCT has worked with external stakeholders to consider how the areas highlighted for improvement may be addressed and has developed an action plan to monitor delivery.
