Patient Survey 2007
The Practice has recently completed a patient satisfaction survey for the 3rd consecutive year and wishes to thank those patients who kindly completed a questionnaire.
The general trend of results are consistent with the results from the last two years, in that the more positive comments relate to the patient consultation experience, and the less favourable concern access and patients' perceptions of ease of access.
In addition to specific questions, patients were also asked to make any other general comments about the Practice. These individual comments proved enlightening and were also consistent with the overall findings.
The Practice is committed to improving and developing our services to patients. It is pleasing to note that patient’s satisfaction with consultations is well rated in terms of doctor’s attitude, time spent with patients, explanations and involving patients in decisions about their own healthcare. There are however some anomalies around access and patients perceptions of ease of access to our services. Percentages are lower than we would like when asked how quickly they can get to see a doctor yet a high percentage say they can normally get to see a doctor on the same day urgently. The Practice therefore considers that further work is required to inform patients of the way the Practice seeks to provide care via doctors, Practice nurses, Nurse Practitioners and the Practice Pharmacist.
The doctors work closely with other members of the Practice healthcare team including Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses and the Practice Pharmacist, in addition to other attached staff such as district nurses, midwives, health visitors and counsellors.
In order to address the concerns expressed by patients a review of our services has been undertaken by the Partners and managers of the Practice.
The training that has recently been successfully completed means the Practice is now able to extend the roles of the triage Nurse Practitioners. Patients requiring an urgent appointment are telephoned back by a Nurse Practitioner to work out the best way to help; this may involve telephone advice, advice from the Practice Pharmacist, an appointment with the on-call doctor or an appointment with them.
Nurse Practitioners are able to prescribe, offer advice and treat a whole range of illnesses, and during the year will increase the number of hours for face to face consultations with patients for such conditions. It is hoped that this will improve access to doctor appointments and shorten the length of time patients have to wait to see a particular doctor. However, it should be noted that all doctors work over both the Riddings and Ripley site and that some are part-time; patients may therefore need to vary the surgery they attend in order to see the doctor of choice at an earlier date.
There were some concerns expressed by patients regarding premises. The Practice moved to new premises at Ripley in 2005 and this has been well received and resulted in the Practice being able to offer a wider range of services in a purpose built environment. Initial discussions have started, in conjunction with the Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust, regarding the possibility of relocating the Riddings surgery in order to provide a more positive patient experience at this surgery as well. These discussions are very much in the early stages and the Practice is keen to maintain a surgery in the local area.
Improving our communication with patients is a priority and we are committed to keeping our patients informed of services, how to access them and forthcoming changes that may be necessary in order to comply with current government guidelines. To this end we have recently launched the Practice website at www.jessopmedicalpractice.co.uk and have increased the issue of The Jessop Journal, the Practice newsletter, from once to twice a year. The Practice leaflet is continually updated as necessary, and use is made of the notice boards at both the Riddings and Ripley surgeries to advise of Practice services and in addition local information and a supply of relevant leaflets is also available at both surgeries.
Suggestions and comments from patients to help to improve our service are always welcome and can be put in the box provided in both surgeries.
Please ask at reception if you require any further information.
Thank you!