NORTHWICH’S best and worst GP surgeries, as rated by patients, have been revealed.

Patients in England were sent questionnaires to take part in the GP Patient Survey between January and March, and 937 Northwich patients responded.

Witton Street has been ranked as the town’s best practice, with 93 per cent of patients who responded saying they have a good overall experience – above the national average of 84 per cent.

But Weaverham Surgery was the lowest-ranked practice by patients who responded, with just 62 per cent saying they have a good overall experience – the lowest result out of all GP practices in Cheshire.

A spokesman at NHS Vale Royal clinical commissioning group said: “The GP patient survey is one of many tools that we use to monitor patient experience and access to GP services.

“The survey reinforces that patients trust GP services to deliver quality care.

“We are working closely with practices to explore new technologies that make it a lot easier for patients to book appointments and prescriptions online with their practice, and support extended access to GP appointments.”

Weaverham Surgery has been voted the worst practice in the Vale Royal area in every GP Patient Survey since the clinical commissioning group was formed in 2013 – although it has improved its overall ‘good’ score from 58 per cent in 2017.

The survey evaluates each GP practice on patients’ experience of making appointments, waiting times, perceptions of care at appointments, practice opening hours, and out-of-hours services.

At Witton Street, 80 per cent of respondents were satisfied with their experience of making an appointment, while patients at Watling Street said they found it easiest to get hold of someone on the phone – with 73 per cent rating the experience as ‘easy’.

However, Dr Jonathan Griffiths, chairman of NHS Vale Royal CCG, has previously criticised the GP Patient Survey.

 

In a post on his blog called Best and Worst?, the Winsford GP said: “While I understand that people want information about the kind of service they can expect to receive in any one particular surgery compared to others in the town, you need to remember that it can be like comparing apples with oranges.

“The geographical location of each practice along with quirky historical preferences by patients means that every practice has a unique demographic make-up. The ability of the practice to meet the needs and expectations of the population it serves therefore varies considerably.”

Weaverham Surgery was approached for comment.

The overall GP Patient Survey 2018 results for Northwich:

• Witton Street – 93 per cent

• Middlewich Road – 84 per cent

• Firdale – 84 per cent

• Watling Street – 83 per cent

• Oakwood – 81 per cent

• Danebridge – 75 per cent

• Weaverham – 62 per cent