Great Lego in the waiting room

Patients have rated more than one in four GP practices on the Department of Health’s controversial scorecard for surgeries since its launch on NHS Choices.

Figures from the end of the first fortnight show patients had completed the scorecard for 2,132 out of 8,269 practices in England, with a total of 2,764 ratings submitted.

The scorecard asks patients to rate practices on issues such as how easy it is to get an appointment, how highly they would recommend the GP practice, how well patients are treated by staff and whether they feel involved in decisions about their care.

The DH told EHI Primary Care that 1,986 additional comments had been logged, meaning that the patient left a comment as well as rating the practice. Approximately 80% of comments remain positive.

The DH agreed with the BMA that feedback would be independently monitored and any abuse, including naming of staff, would not be posted. The DH spokesperson said 239 comments had been rejected so far.

Positive comments posted so far include “good staff all round from the receptionists, to the nurses and all the doctors” and “this is an excellent and well-run surgery – I wish all the NHS surgeries were equally good.”

Negative comments include “The only thing I like about this surgery is the proximity to my home” and “the main problem is that it is always almost impossible to get a GP’s appointment in advance.”

More bizarre comments include “I like the fact that it is a small surgery where fewer sick people congregate together” and “nice assortment of Lego in the waiting room.”