What's your view on your GP?

Jan 15 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PAYMENTS to GP surgeries could be cut if patients respond critically in a borough-wide survey.

NHS Kirklees is sending questionnaires out to 50,000 patients asking for their views on GP practices and access to health services.

A negative response could mean some surgeries get less money.

Health bosses in Kirklees want to know what patients think about local services.

Results from the survey will be used to make improvements to GP services as well as reward surgeries which provide fast and convenient services.

A spokeswoman for NHS Kirklees said: “There are a wide range of questions in this year’s expanded survey.

“Some of them link directly to payments to GPs and others will be included in the normal process of discussions that NHS Kirklees has with GPs and also used to make sure that local residents have access to the most appropriate services.

“Negative responses from members of the public to some questions, for example about access to GPs within two working days, could result in the practices getting less money”.

Organisers hope the feedback will lead to service changes to benefit patients.