PRESS RELEASE: New survey launched to hear people’s views on GP care during the pandemic

Patients in Doncaster who have accessed healthcare support from their local GP during Covid-19 are being encouraged to have their say in a new survey by Healthwatch Doncaster
Person holding a mobile phone

GP surgeries have had to change the way in which people access appointments including a change from face-to-face consultations to video and telephone consultations, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Healthwatch Doncaster are working closely with local GP Practices, Primary Care Doncaster (the GP Federation) and NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to find out more about your experience of accessing your appointment via video or telephone call.

We want to share your voices and stories with staff who work in GP practices so that you can help shape the future of how services will be delivered

Andrew Goodall, Healthwatch Doncaster Chief Operating Officer

Andrew Goodall, Healthwatch Doncaster Chief Operating Officer, said: “We want to hear about your experiences of accessing a GP of Nurse appointment on the phone or through a video call during the Covid-19 pandemic."

The experiences and feedback of local people will be used to develop and shape future services provided in the local community.

“Health services have had to adapt the way that they work to continue to meet the needs of patients and, as the local Healthwatch, we’re keen to hear how this has impacted people’s experience of their care,” said Andrew.

Dr David Crichton, local GP & Clinical Chair, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Coronavirus has brought about a lot of changes for the NHS.

“The introduction of video and online consultations is just one of the ways the NHS has responded to the Coronavirus pandemic, ensuring that NHS services remain open and available to people when they need them.

“Whilst online and video consultations are welcomed by many of our patients, we acknowledge for some patients will find it more difficult. Coronavirus is expected to be with us for some time to come so access to local NHS services will need to continue using digital tools.

“It’s important we seek the views from all patients across Doncaster, we especially need to hear from those who would find it more challenging to use digital tools to access local services, our aim is to make things better and improve people’s experience of accessing medical services.

“As a local GP, I would encourage everyone to take part in this important survey so we make the right decisions that people want going forward.”

If you would like to talk to Healthwatch Doncaster to share more details about your experience please contact by email:

 [email protected]

You can access the survey here: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GPServices

NOTES TO EDITORS

Healthwatch Doncaster is a Community Interest Company as of 1st July 2016, working across Doncaster supporting the improvement of health and care services through engagement, involvement and influence.

This entails engagement work throughout the community and signposting people to the right service.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, all existing delivery of Healthwatch Doncaster activities has been conducted remotely since the 17th March 2020.

Press release contact:

Chief Operating Officer Andrew Goodall

 [email protected]

 07834 686855