GP services in Dorset are well above the national average in all areas, according to patients who took part in a survey to give their feedback on primary care experiences.

According to the national 2021 GP Patient Survey, 88% of patients describe their overall experience of their GP practice as good.

Patients across Dorset were asked to provide their insight into their experience of primary care services in Dorset.

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Dorset scored above the average nationally in all aspects of the survey, across a wide range of measures.

92% reported a good experience in the helpfulness of receptionists at GP practices, and eight out of 10 people also reported that it was easy to access GP websites for information or access services.

Meanwhile, seven in 10 patients reported a good experience when making an appointment.

Dr Forbes Watson, local Dorset GP and NHS Dorset CCG Chair, said: “This last year has been a such a difficult year for everyone, so it is great to see that overall trust and satisfaction with general practice in Dorset is above the national average in all areas of the survey, with 88% of patients describing their overall experience of their GP practice as good – well above the national average.

“We very much value feedback and we use feedback to see how we can continue to improve our services here in Dorset.

“We’d like to thank the public for their continued support for general practice, as well as everyone working in general practice who have risen brilliantly to the challenge. Thank you for everything you done.”

General practice has stayed open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as continuing to provide care, general practice has played a central role in the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine programme locally, delivering more than 80 per cent of the 1 million doses given.