PATIENTS in Devon are more satisfied with their GP surgeries than elsewhere in the country, according to the results of a national patient survey.

More than 15,000 people who use GP services in the NHS NEW Devon CCG area responded to the national GP patient survey.

The randomised survey asked patients about their overall experience of visiting their GP, access to GP services, making an appointment, opening hours, out-of-hours services and more.

The results show GP surgeries in the CCG area scored above the national average in many aspects of the survey. GP surgeries in Devon scored particularly well for overall patient experience. 91% of patients who responded described their overall experience of their GP practice as good or very good.

Dr Tim Burke, chair of NHS NEW Devon CCG, said: ‘The GP patient survey results are fantastic news for the CCG and its member practices. Our patients are our top priority, so their opinion is what really matters when we are looking at the quality of care we offer.

‘It’s a challenging time for the local health economy, but these results show that our local GPs and staff at the surgeries continue to provide good quality care and a great service.’

Key results include the overall experience at a GP surgery with 91% rating their experience as good or very good against a national average of 85%, the ease of getting through to a GP surgery on the phone with 81% good or very good against a national average of 71%, and convenience of appointment time with 95% saying very convenient or convenient against a national average of 92%.

Other areas where Devon GPs beat the national average were the helpfulness of receptionists, overall experience of making an appointment and trust in a GP and nurses.

Practices in the NHS NEW Devon CCG area also scored above the national average for success in getting appointments, satisfaction with waiting times, opening hours and overall experience of out-of-hours GP services.

Among the GP surgeries which repeatedly scored highly for satisfaction in several areas this year was Bow Medical Practice, which also took over the running of the medical practice in North Tawton earlier this year.