How long do you wait in your doctors?
A third of UK adults admit that waiting times stop them from seeing their GP, according to new research.
The survey, also found that a third of UK adults who have visited their GP in the last year had to wait on average 1-3 days for the next available appointment, with 14 per cent stating that they had to wait more than a week for the next available appointment to see their GP.
The worst waiting times were surveyed in Northern Ireland, with 25 per cent of adults in Northern Ireland who have visited their GP in the last year saying that had to wait more than a week for the next available appointment to see their GP, with the adults in the South East of England close behind at 17 per cent.
In comparison, the North East, Scotland and Yorkshire and Humber regions stated they had the best waiting times with only 8 per cent having to wait a week to book the next available appointment with their GP, reveals the research from YouGov and HealthExpress.
Dr Bram Brons, medical director at HealthExpress comments: “With our increasing hectic lives we are looking to have access to our GP immediately and our survey shows that in many regions, this expectation is not being met.
“Of those surveyed, many said that in general they were happy with the treatment and service provided by the NHS over the last five years, however, it is waiting times that has stopped them seeing their GP, when they have been keen to consult medical advice. This is potentially a worrying trend as many people may be delaying treatment for a condition just because they are unable to gain a quick appointment.
“Rather than be critical of the NHS, we believe that patients need to look for alternative healthcare providers or be flexible on when they can see their GP, as doctors surgeries struggle to cope with the demand that is placed on them.”
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