Warrington patients waiting 10 days on average to see GP

This is significantly longer than the national average of seven days, according to a study by medical negligence experts Boyes Turner.

The research is based on analysis of NHS Digital data on waiting times alongside a national survey of UK adults who have tried to see their GP in the last six months.

It found that 26 per cent of those living in Warrington had to contact their medical practice several times before they could book an appointment, as there were not any bookable slots left or they could not get through to reception staff.

On average, it took them 4.1 days to get booked in, and then there was an average additional wait of 5.8 days before the appointment took place.

Some have been seen on the same day (14 per cent), but a worrying number have waited more than a month in total (10 per cent).

Across the nation on average, people said they have had to wait at least seven days to secure an appointment, but one in ten had waited 15 days or more.

The majority of people included in the study (68 per cent) felt waiting times were up to twice as long for GP appointments than before the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response to the research, Dr Andy Davies, chief clinical officer for NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, said ways of working had changed because of the pandemic.

He said: “Across the country, GP practices are seeing a rise in demand which is significantly higher than you would normally see at this time of year.

“Staff are working extremely hard to keep patients safe and ensure they receive the care they need, and we are asking for patience and support from patients and the public.

“As well as delivering essential services, practice staff have made invaluable contributions to the Covid-19 vaccination programme, helping to vaccinate more than 86 per cent of residents and rolling out the booster vaccine, ensuring our most vulnerable patients are protected as we move into winter.

Research shows patients in Warrington forced to wait 10 days on average to see GP (Image: PA)

“To ensure everyone gets the most appropriate support, most practices are still using a telephone-first system to help manage the high demand or asking patients to use their online service if possible. This allows practices to clinically triage all requests.

“Most common conditions can be assessed and diagnosed by your GP over the phone or video consultation.

“If your GP feels that a face-to-face appointment is needed, this will be arranged and patients will be seen by the most appropriate person in the clinical team.

“This may be a GP, nurse, pharmacist or another appropriate member of clinical staff, which has been the case right the way through the pandemic.

“Across Warrington our practices are working differently, so as well as GPs and practice nurses, there are other health professionals like pharmacists, physiotherapists and social prescribers working to support patients and make sure they see the right person first time.

“Our receptionist teams have all received additional training and their role is to assign the right health professional for you, so they may need to ask some questions about your condition so that they can pass this information to the clinician who will triage your request.

“This way of working is essential to helping us continue to provide our service, including seeing patients whose condition means they need to be seen by a GP.

“We would like to thank all our patients for working with us throughout the pandemic and for their continued kindness, support and understanding when using our services.”

Richard Money-Kyrle, partner at Boyes Turner, added: “The impact of the pandemic on health services has been all-encompassing.

“The NHS has been responding to unimaginable pressure since the initial coronavirus outbreak, and our research indicates that the impact on patients is continuing, especially when it comes to securing a speedy appointment with a medical professional.

“It is concerning that so many patients are resorting to self-diagnosis, visiting A&E and even alternative therapies, simply because they cannot discuss their ailments with a trained medical professional in a suitable timeframe.

“We would urge the public to persevere with booking an appointment with their GP when needed and to seek advice from 111 or pharmacists if more urgent.”