A recent survey of 650,000 NHS patients in England has revealed that many are dissatisfied with the services provided by GP practices. Approximately one in ten patients rated their experience as “poor” or “very poor,” although this marks a slight improvement from the previous year’s 13% poor rating.
Only one in seven patients described their GP practices as “good,” highlighting widespread discontent. The Mirror has analyzed the survey data to allow individuals to compare the performance of their local GP practice.
The annual NHS patient survey collects feedback on various aspects of care, including overall experience, ease of contacting the surgery, and trust in GPs. Results for this year were gathered between January and March.
While there is room for improvement, the data indicates an increase in satisfaction with GP services under Labour’s administration. In 2026, 76.7% of patients rated their overall experience positively, up from 73.9% the previous year.
The survey also revealed a significant rise in online interactions, with 30.8% of patients contacting their practice digitally compared to 16.9% in 2024. Labour’s initiative to offer online booking options aimed to streamline access to services and eliminate the rush for early morning phone appointments.
Health Secretary James Murray commended NHS staff for their efforts in enhancing patient care and reducing waiting times. A majority (93%) expressed confidence in their GP or healthcare provider, with high ratings for care, concern, and attentiveness.
Despite this, around two-thirds of patients felt the waiting time for appointments was acceptable, while nearly a third considered it too long. Healthwatch England emphasized the need for additional support and resources to address challenges faced by GP teams in improving access to care.
Efforts to hire more administrative staff and care navigators were highlighted as crucial steps to facilitate appointment bookings, referrals, and prescription management, ensuring round-the-clock availability of online services.