Accessing GP care in Wolverhampton: A follow up
This report presents findings from our investigation at the end of 2022. It makes comparisons to our previous reports, published in December 2021 and June 2022, to understand if patient access to GP appointments in Wolverhampton has improved over time.
Our research identified a reduction in the number of GP practices that offer a call waiting system for patients who phone to book an appointment or seek advice and care. Overall, we found that improvements have been made over time to pre-recorded messages on the call waiting system, and there has been an increase in the number of practices signposting patients to pharmacies.
The report contains recommendations to help improve access to GP care, including reviewing and improving phone call waiting systems, increasing staff at busy times to cover calls and enquiries, and signposting people to less commonly used same day services, such as pharmacists, optometrists, and physiotherapists, in addition to walk in, NHS 111 and urgent care.
The report was presented to Wolverhampton's Health Scrutiny Panel in January 2023. Individual GP practice data has been shared with each Primary Care Network so they can use the findings to share good practice and improve the experiences of their patients.
Read our report
If you would like this report in a different format, email info@healthwatchwolverhampton.co.uk or call 0800 246 5018.
