More than 8,100 people took part in the survey this year, which provides vital feedback on the quality of care and service of general practices. The county remained above the national average of 74 per cent, with 80 per cent of respondents describing their experiences of their GP as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. This was the same as 2023’s survey results.
Meanwhile, 67 per cent felt the wait time for appointments was about right – broadly in line with the national average – and 95 per cent felt listened to at their last appointment. Corfe Castle Surgery, Cerne Abbas Surgery and Puddletown Surgery all took the spot for the top three practices rating 'good' or 'very good' in overall experience. Dr Forbes Watson, chair of the Dorset General Practice Alliance, said: “It’s great to see Dorset doing well nationally during some very challenging times.
“This is thanks to hard working practice staff doing their very best for their patients. There are areas that require improvement which everyone is working hard to achieve.” The surgeries with the most 'very poor' ratings on overall experience were Wyke Regis & Lanehouse Medical Practice, Denmark Road Medical Centre in Bournemouth and The Blandford Group Practice.
It hasn’t been an easy time for GP practices both nationally and here in Dorset: in fact, a recent survey by NHS England and Office for National Statistics found patients here have the worst contact with GP practices in England. And according to the patient s.