LESS than half of patients said they were able to see or speak to their preferred GP ­— and more than one in five had to wait a week or more for an appointment.

More than half of patients said they had a GP they preferred to speak to but only 44 per cent said they spoke to them “always, or almost always” or a lot of the time, this was below the national average of 48 per cent.

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Overall in Bury an an analysis of the results reveals:

- 62 per cent said it was easy to get through to someone at the practice on the phone compared to 68 per cent nationally

- 91 per cent of patients said GP receptionists were helpful compared to 89 per cent nationally

- 65 per cent said they were satisfied with the appointment times that were available, in line with the national average

- 44 per cent, said they saw/spoke to their preferred GP when they wanted. Nationally that figure was 48 per cent

- 75 per cent said they were happy with the appointment offered, nationally that figure was 74 per cent

- 70 per cent of patients saw the healthcare professional within 15 minutes of their appointment. Nationally it was 69 per cent

- 89 per cent said they were given enough time, higher than the national average of 87 per cent. The same number said they were treated with care and concern. - 97 per cent said they had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional, better than national result of 95 per cent

- 95 per cent said their needs were met compared. The national average was 94 per cent

- A third of patients said they went to accident and emergency when the surgery was closed.

- 35 per cent said they saw a healthcare professional of the same day of making an appointment, and 23 per cent had to wait a week or more

- 44 per cent said they wanted the appointment on the same day.

- 55 per cent said they had a GP they preferred to see or speak to