Booking ahead to see the doctor not that easy

Sep 10 2005

According to a health service watchdog in the UK, getting in to see the doctor is not as easy as it should be.

Apparently as many as one-third of the public are unable to book an appointment with their doctor more than three days in advance.

The poll of 117,000 patients, by the Healthcare Commission, on their experience of dental, GP and local health services, found that 30 percent complained they were unable to book an appointment three or more working days in advance.

Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association General Practitioners Committee, lays the blame squarely at the governments feet , saying that their policy of a 48-hour target for patients to see their doctor, had led to surgeries having to stop advanced bookings.

He says the BMA had disagreed with the government was over this particular issue because it made the problem worse, and pushed practices towards a system of 'book on the day appointments'.

Meldrum says more appointments cannot be created until the capacity problem is solved.

G.P. waiting times are a sensitive political issue, in part because of public confusion about how exactly the figures are calculated.

The issue is equally important for doctors because as part of the new GP contract they receive bonus payments based on points awarded for the services they deliver.

It appears that Health minister Lord Warner has promised to try and improve flexibility and urgent access.

He apparently sees no reason why a financial incentive that delivers flexibility, and a response within 48-hours, is not feasible.

Other findings in the Healthcare Commission poll showed that 76 percent of patients had confidence and trust in the doctor they saw, while 92 percent felt they were always treated with dignity and respect.